Sweet Billionaire Stepbrother(35)

Worry gripped my insides, afraid that if I didn’t give in and become part of the business, my father would keel over one day and I’d blame myself for it. Since I’d detected the jaundiced tone of his skin, I’d also noticed on closer inspection that the whites of his eyes were also a shade of yellow.

“Okay. It’s a deal. I’ll call Linda in the morning.”

I sighed, long and hard. I felt like the whole world was closing in on me. The only two people who understood my passion for my work were my mother—who was virtually impossible to reach these days—and Layla.

I needed to speak to my stepsister. She was always able to ground me in a way no one else could. She’d help me make sense of everything in her calm and logical way and I’d have to tell her about my date with Sloane. I wanted her to hear it from me.

“Dad?”

“Yes?”

“I hope you haven’t invited that Matthews kid to your birthday party?”

“No, I didn’t,” he said as he grabbed his jacket off the back of the chair. Before I could heave a sigh of relief, he continued, “But Alice did. She invited the whole family because she and Norma Matthews are in the same tennis group. Your stepmother is planning a huge damn party, even though I told her I don’t want a big fuss.”

“Fuck.”

“What’s your issue with the younger brother? He seems all mad about Layla and you know how shy she is about dating. A push in the right direction may just lead to something more. Maybe you and Layla could have a double wedding, huh?”

“What?” I spluttered, “Don’t be crazy. You can control your company and even control what I do, but stay out of our relationships. I thought you said you don’t have time for anything else?”

“I want grandchildren before I die, Grayson. I want to know that there is a line of heirs ready to take over the Forbes Dynasty after you. Make your old man happy and get married soon, Son. It would be the best birthday present you could give me.”

“Jesus, Dad, I’m only just turning twenty-five. You’ve got to stop pushing so damn hard.”

“I don’t know what it is with you young people these days . . . why you are so damn afraid of commitment.”

I huffed. “That’s not true. I’m committed to my career . . . as a doctor. I’ve worked my butt off for six years to be the best I can be. Why can’t you see that?”

Frowning, Dad looked at his watch. “I’m running late. Think about everything we’ve talked about. I’ll be back in a week and a half before the party. Please help Alice with whatever she needs. You know how she can get carried away trying to make it special.”

I hated big elaborate parties as much as Layla did, but Alice? She thrived on organizing big events that people would remember years later. “I’m sure it will be spectacular. You knew she was an event organizer before you married her, so what do you expect? It’s what she does.”

Dad picked up his briefcase and took a few strides toward me.

“Don’t tell Layla, but Alice has arranged for a huge surprise for her too since she refused to have a twenty-first birthday party.”

“Well her birthday was during her final exams. I don’t blame Layla for not wanting a fuss made.” I shrugged.

Gripping my shoulder, Dad squeezed me hard before he hugged me with one arm.

“I’m glad you’re back in Australia. Enjoy your last few weeks of freedom, because I’m going to work your arse off.” He patted my back. “I need to run. I’ve still got to find Alice and say goodbye.”

My dreams were crumbling around me.

I was ready to hop on the next plane back to London. It wasn’t the prospect of hard work that frightened me, it was how trapped I felt as my father’s world came crushing down on me.

If only there wasn’t something big holding me back.

Layla.

I couldn’t leave without her.





8: Layla


The whole house seemed to be one huge buzz as Mum engrossed herself with organizing Milton’s party.

“I want to make sure this is the best event I’ve ever put together. Milton has done so much for me over the years, I want this party to be spectacular, something he’ll always remember.”

The sparkle in her eyes was testament to how excited she was and having an open check book didn’t hurt either. As the wife of one of the wealthiest men in Australia, Alice Forbes had become accustomed to the finer things in life, things she would never have been able to afford before marrying Milton.

“Well, if judging by the number of people that have been in and out of this place in the last few days, it seems you’re planning to upstage the Queen of England.”

She placed her hands on her hips and studied me for a moment before laughing as she shook her head.

“You always exaggerate, Layla. But you’ve just given me another idea. The Queen, huh?”

“Oh God, Mum, I didn’t mean it literally. You know Milton said he didn’t want a huge party. I think what you have going on here is already on a grand scale. Don’t get too carried away.”

“Too late,” Taylor said as she bounced into the kitchen. “This is going to be the party of the decade. I’ve seen some of the plans, and let me tell you—”