"...the first step to getting somewhere is to decide you won't stay where you are..."

ick's POV

The day has come. She's ready to talk and her face speaks even before she opens her mouth. Her intimidating gaze is starting to get to me. She is the kind of person who walks into a room and unsettles everyone. I want to believe I have learned that from her but my father is also the same. It is safe to presume it's a Bale thing.

My father is quiet in the other chair. He only mattered a greeting when I walked in.

For a week now I have been suspended from Bale Industries. I haven't been working and it it's a strange thing for me not to work. I was raised to embrace a strong work ethic. Without work, I am a mess.

She is comfortable in the high backed leather seat I usually sit on. "Can we just talk? The silence is killing me. Let's just get this out of the way."

"You have broken two rules." We are getting right into it. "One, marriage without a prenup. Two, bad press. Let's start with the first one."

It is completely like my grandmother to explain a clear rule. She insists on hammering the consequences of breaking her rules so that all is left after she pulls the rug from underneath my feet is regret. I'll definitely have something to think about.

"What did we agree on when the issue of marriage came up?"

I was in my first relationship when the issue of marriage came up. I was around 17 years old then. She was clear that a marriage without a prenup is not allowed. She made me sign an agreement. The thing about Helena is that she makes everyone sign something so that she can trap you later.

"You said no marriage without a prenup."

"So what happened?" She frowned at me. "I can forgive you for eloping without telling anyone but a marriage without a prenup is stupid! You don't have two cents in the bank. You're not a barista in a coffee shop. You are my grandson. The only heir to my fortune. If I was to die today, you're my sole heir. No offense Nate."

"I stopped taking offense a long time ago." He shrugged.

"And that inheritance is not to be passed on to your wife just because you were stupid enough to marry without a prenup. You know it's enough that your father merged himself with a Balotelli and stained our family bloodline with the Mafia. I have made peace with it then you add the filth of the Deverauxs and it is just disappointing. I would have rather you pick a street rat over those social climbing witches."

"You consider me a stain because I resulted from a union between a Bale and a Balotelli."

Her pale blue eyes are unapologetic. I am indeed a stain. Perhaps a stubborn one she can't wash off and is stuck with so she lives with it.

"Yes. You're the kind of stain that becomes part of the cloth. That's not the point though. Why were you stupid enough to marry a Deveraux woman without a prenup? Where does this foolishness stem from? Your father?"

I am indeed foolish for marrying Margaux without a prenup. I trusted her blindly. When I offered it and she refused I should have known but it was done. There is no arguing with that. "I'm sorry."

"You didn't just stop there, you went on and had a baby! A baby!" She exclaimed ad she got up and started pacing about with her hands in the pocket of her pants. "Haven't you heard of protection? It's also known as a condom. Do you need a description of what it looks like and how it is used?"

"That I'm not sorry about. She's the best thing that has ever happened to me."

"I should not have gone easy on you. Your father was never there to kick you hard enough or smack the stupidity out of your head."

"There was nothing wrong with my upbringing. I have made bad choices that have nothing to do with my parents or you. You guys did your best. I fucked up. I know that."

"Two, bad press." She moved on like nothing has transpired between us. "What did I tell you when you first assumed your position as CEO?"

I hate that she is making me recite stuff we both know. Why can't she just get to the point and spell out the consequences?

"Press is good for business but also bad for business."

Her sharp eyes cut through me. "So tell me honestly, haven't you had personal drama? Even with Naila, you handled yourself gracefully. All of a sudden, you're now a spectacle. What's different this time?" She narrowed her pale blue eyes at me. "Silence..." She muttered. "Is it attention you want? A hug perhaps? Why not handle this divorce under wraps? Put the damn divorce aside, people get divorced, big deal! An affair with a married woman? You beat up her husband? You abduct her?"

"That's not what happ-"

"I'm still talking." She told me sharply. "You got arrested in front of the board members! All the employees saw you being taken away in handcuffs. You're piling scandal after and scandal! Now you can talk."

"Margaux doesn't understand privacy. She wants to drag my name through the mud. So no matter how I handle this, it will still be a publicized affair."

"Do you know how many favors I had to call in to get you out? Do you know how many favors I owe now?" She doesn't like owing anyone anything. It means a lot to me that she did all this. Helena has never told me she loves me but she has a quiet way of showing it. "You're not sitting here because I spoke kindly to the chief of police or I had tea with a judge here and there. But I did it because it broke my heart to hear that my only grandchild, a man of your stature was seated in a jail cell."

She's quiet now, holding the bridge of her nose like my father and I do. She's not upset. I have seen her upset. She's beyond angry. I don't have a word for that but that's where she is. I see pain in her eyes as she addresses me. Helena has a way of responding quickly but when she takes this long to discuss something, it's because she was thinking about it.

I turned my attention to my father. He's quiet.

"I'm grateful for what you did and I'm sorry for my actions."

"What measures have you taken to protect yourself from Margaux? She's coming after the money. You know that, right?" My father addressed me.

"I know. I have stashed away most of my money. I am selling most of assets and hiding the money. By the time she gets half of my net worth, it won't be much. I will give her whatever she wants to get out.l of this marriage."

"So if whatever it takes means half of the Bale Industries, will you hand it to her? Will you give those snakes a share of my company? A chair in my boardroom?"

"I will try not to but what if it comes down to that? What if it's th only way this marriage ends?"

"No! That's where you're mistaken my boy. Bale Industries is my legacy. It's was my father's legacy as was my grandfather and the list goes on and on. Do you know what a legacy is?"

"It's an inheritance, something left to an heir to carry forward."

"Rightly said. My list of heirs is very short and Margaux Deveraux didn't make the cut. Not even Madeline makes the cut. You know why?"

"Why?"

"Because I will not have the Deverauxs share the perks of the sweat and blood my family have put into building this company. My billions are simply that... mine. It is my name on the building. Mine."

I know where it is all going and my heart is starting to pump furiously at the thought of her end game.

"If she sues me for half my worth?"

"You can share the clothes off your back." She answered and took a seat, this time squaring off her gaze with me. "Nickolas, this wasn't an easy decision for me. I have out so much effort into making you a formidable CEO. I appreciate your hard work but I also hate incompetence and you know that. Nickolas Bale, as of now, you are fired." Damn it. "Turn in your key cards and exit the building peacefully or I will have you escorted out."

"Helena-"

She raised her hand to stop me from interrupting her.

"Dad say something!" I turned to my father.

"You made your bed son. Lie in it." He told me flatly.

"This is a gracious exit, take it. Don't make me call security and add to your scandalous life." I gave it a moment before it sank in. I looked around the office that has been mine for years. I have put a lot of effort into building this company as much as she has. But if I was in her shoes, I would do the same thing. Without saying a word, I headed for the door. "Before you leave, since I'm already on the path of destruction, I have also taken the liberty to disinherit you from the Bale fund. You can't access the common find anymore."

I stood by the door for an entire minute processing it all before I left her presence.

*

I have been sitting in darkness of my bedroom wondering what to do next. What I feared has been happened. Not only have I been fired but I have been disinherited. Margaux has th nerve to serve me custody papers. She wants me to sign over my daughter willingly. Is she mad?

The first person I wanted to call after I was fired was Keira. I badly wanted to let her know how distraught I felt. I wanted her comfort but I couldn't turn to her with this. She has a lot on her plate.

Helena isn't one to go back on her word. Staring at my phone and waiting for her to call and apologize for what she has done is like waiting for pigs to fly. It will not happen. I have seriously lost my job. I have been disinherited. It hurts. She has cut off her only heir and she doesn't care.

It's like the impact of my decisions are hitting me now and they are hitting me hard. I can't believe I'm able to think, three bottles of whiskey in. How is my mind still working? Am I not drunk enough?

I need another bottle. My personal stash is over. I hav to go downstairs to the wine cellar. I can't see all that clearly and maybe I'm staggering a little but I want to sil nice my mind. I don't want to think about today.

"Nickolas." Lupe is following me.

"I have no patience for your shit tonight so don't start with me."

"Your mom called. She asked if you are okay after losing your job." I opened the cellar. The whiskey section is empty. I'm out of whiskey. I don't like vodka but there's a bottle. I picked it. "Nick did you hear me?"

"She has my number. She can ask me herself!"

"You're drunk."

"I'm fine!"

"Your speech is slurred."

"Lupe, if you want a place here, shut up and stay out of my way."

She backed off.

"The soon to be washed up billionaire! That is what the tabloids are saying!" Margaux announced. "Your grandmother fired you. Tell me Nickolas. How will you pay alimony?"

"I hate you." I told her.

She came down the stairs to meet me.

My mother raised me never to lay my hands on a woman. She always said, no matter what she has done, physical assault is never an option. Margaux deserves the beating of a life. If I could only allow myself, I could beat her to her death.

But as I stared at my folded fists fighting my murderous thoughts, I can't help but wonder if this is the best time to forget what my mother taught me.

"I hate you too. I know you've been selling off property to hide your money. I'm not getting a raw deal in this. I will get what I'm owed Nickolas. I will push you to your last nerve.,"

"Sign the divorce papers. Colle t what you think I owe you and leave my life. What are you holding on to? This marriage has been over even way before it started. I don't love you and I can't stand you. I want you gone!"

"You think I'll just step aside so that you and you're blue eyed whore can have a happily ever after?"

In a sudden flare of anger I yanked her close to me using her arms.

"Listen you damn woman, you'll not disrespect the woman I love. I won't let you. I'm done playing games and I will do anything to get rid of you."

She has the audacity to laugh in my face. She is taunting me. "Like I said Nickolas, until death do us part."

I shoved her a little too hard and she fell flat on her back. But I didn't feel anything other than regret for not killing her back in Greece. "I wish I would have killed you in Greece!" I yelled.

Getting down on my knees, I grabbed her jaw pulling her up.

"If you're not leaving, I am and I'm taking my daughter with me. Keep the house, I'll just get another one."

Shoving her aside, I got up and headed for the bedroom to pack up my clothes.