Final Offer (Dreamland Billionaires #3) by Lauren Asher

Probably because Declan has always cleaned up my messes ever since I was born. He couldn’t help suffering from an older sibling savior complex, nearly suffocating Rowan and me with his overprotectiveness.

“Whatever you do, don’t help.”

His brown eyes drop to the floor.

“Declan…”

He pulls out his phone, looking paler than usual. “I need to make a few calls.”

Declan’s footsteps quicken as he walks the length of his office.

“You had a buyer lined up already, didn’t you?” My teeth grind together.

“Yes.” His hand holding the phone tightens.

“Why?”

Why couldn’t you trust me to do one thing on my own? The real question lingers on the tip of my tongue.

His jaw clenches, making the vein near his temple throb. “Why else? It’s not like I was going to leave anything up to chance.”

“More like you didn’t want to leave anything up to me.”

He throws his free hand in the air. “Why would I? It’s not as if you’ve made any effort to complete your part of the will. Do you even care about fucking Rowan and me over?”

I bolt out of my chair. “With how little you think of me, maybe I should give up my shares and walk away from this whole damn thing with my dignity intact.”

He releases a bitter laugh. “Of course, that’s your first solution. I don’t know why I expected anything different from the guy who excels at failing.”

“Great dig, asshole. Did you pick that one up from Dad?”

Do you have an interest in being anything but a family failure? The memory of my dad laughing his drunk ass off takes center stage in my head; him shunning my need for a calculus tutor is quickly replaced by a darker memory.

Why am I not surprised that you couldn’t even succeed at hitting a block of rubber around—the harsh words my father shared during my post-op after I tore my ACL.

The only reason you’re on this company board is because your grandpa knew you wouldn’t amount to anything on your own. My father’s red-rimmed eyes flick over my seat in the conference room.

The one thing my father succeeded at was finding a hundred different ways to make me feel like a pathetic failure.

And now Declan…

Fuck him.

“Shit. Cal…” Declan’s glare softens.

Screw Declan for using my one weakness against me. It’s not like I don’t want to be better. To do better.

I just don’t know how.

I shoot him my fakest smile that makes his eye twitch. “No need to apologize, brother. It’s not like I didn’t spend my entire life hearing those same words time and time again.”

Declan’s words follow me long after I leave the Kane Company building, feeding off my insecurities like a parasite that can only be cured with a bottle of vodka.

You could get help again. My hand trembles as I pour myself a drink. Some of it spills from my jerky movement, soaking my hand and the surrounding area around the glass.

I shake my head, ignoring the voice in my head beckoning me to stop before I take the first sip.

Always a disappointment.

I pause as my lips touch the rim of the glass.

You’re better than this.

No. I’m really not.

I knock back the first drink with a few swallows before pouring myself a second glass. Declan tries to call me twice throughout the night. He even leaves a voicemail, which I delete right away because I’m too drunk to care.

Just how I like it.





“I’m sorry, Ms. Castillo.” Brady Kane’s lawyer apologizes for the second time today, although it does little to ease the burn in my throat.

This can’t be happening. I reach out for the kitchen counter to stabilize my wobbly legs.

Leo clears his throat, making the speaker beside my ear crackle. “I understand all of this must come as quite a shock, but I’m sure that Brady had your best intentions at heart. He spoke fondly of you during all of our discussions.”

The pressure building behind my temples intensifies despite me rubbing my temples. “It doesn’t feel that way.”

“If it’s any consolation, Callahan expressed a similar frustration during our conversation earlier.”

“Did he also mention how he wants to sell the house?”

“He did.”

My fingers clutching the counter turn white from the pressure. “What happens if I don’t want to sell it?”

“All decisions regarding the property must be mutually made. The only way Callahan can sell the property is if you agree and vice versa.”

I release a heavy breath. “Finally, some good news.”

Leo pauses for a moment before speaking up. “That being said…”

Oh no.

“If you insist on keeping the house despite Callahan’s interest in selling the property, then you will have to buy him out of his percentage of the house.”

Hijueputa.

After my phone call with the lawyer, I sent Delilah and Violet a message requesting an emergency girls’ night. Both of them arrive at my house that evening armed with snacks and skincare supplies like a little food and self-care can solve all my woes. Violet even went out of her way to get some Bon Bon Bums, my dentist’s archenemy and my favorite candy.

I run upstairs to check on Cami and make sure she is asleep. My heart squeezes at the sight of her sleeping soundly, her favorite stuffed lamb crushed beneath both of her arms. I still remember the social worker who gave it to her. Cami was only an infant, so she doesn’t remember, but I do. It was the same day I returned to Michigan with a baby in my arms and a new purpose in my life.