Behind him, Beatrice shouted,
“And tell Thomas he owes us an apology!”
For ten years, I had hidden much of my marriage from my parents.
I didn’t want them knowing how I was treated.
Brian knew that.
Which was exactly why he had gone there.
“Leave my father out of this.”
“Then do what I told you.”
He hung up.
I immediately called Dad.
“Brian is outside your workshop.”
“I know.”
He sounded surprisingly calm.
“I can see him.”
“Please stay inside. He’s looking for a fight.”
My father paused.
“Don’t worry about me, sweetheart.”
Then he added,
“I’m not alone.”
Before I could ask what that meant, a hotel manager approached.
“Ms. Reyes? Chef George Harrison is on his way. He said he’s stopping at your father’s forge first.”
I nearly closed my eyes with relief.
George Harrison was one of the most respected chefs in the country.
He was also one of my father’s oldest customers.
That morning, Harrison was collecting a ceremonial knife he had waited almost two years to receive.
I stepped into the private elevator.
Halfway to the ballroom, my phone buzzed.
A video from Samuel, my father’s apprentice.
I opened it.
Brian stood outside the forge beside a sleek black town car.
“Move this ugly thing out of the way!” he shouted.
An older man wearing a perfectly tailored charcoal suit stepped from the rear seat.
Chef Harrison.
“That vehicle belongs to me,” Harrison said calmly.
Brian didn’t recognize him.
“Then move it. I’m here to speak to the blacksmith.”
Beatrice appeared behind him.
“This entire mess is Samantha’s fault. Ever since the divorce, she acts like she’s suddenly important.”
Harrison looked at Brian.
“Thomas Reyes is your father-in-law?”
“Former father-in-law, thankfully.”
Brian laughed.
“His daughter was good for cooking and cleaning. That’s about it.”
My father stepped outside.
“Brian, leave my property.”
Brian turned toward him.
“Or what?”
Then he gestured toward the forge.
“Without my restaurant, nobody important would even know this dusty place exists.”
He kicked a wooden box near the doorway.
The lid opened.
