Chapter 2 - The Ticket to Nowhere
"Sir, you cannot purchase a ticket for a flight that is currently boarding," the gate agent said, typing frantically on her keyboard.
"I need to be on that plane," I pleaded, slamming my black American Express card onto the counter.
"Charge whatever you want."
"First class, economy, a jump seat in the back."
"I don't care."
The agent sighed, looking at my desperate expression.
"Let me see what I can do."
Behind me, I could hear Chloe screaming into her cell phone.
She was calling my father.
I didn't care.
For three years, I had cared too much about what Richard Sterling thought.
I had let him dictate my career, my friends, and eventually, my wife.
I had convinced myself that giving up Valerie was a sacrifice for the greater good of the family empire.
I was a fool.
"You're in luck," the agent said, printing a boarding pass.
"Seat 32B."
"Middle seat in the back."
"The doors close in two minutes."
"Run."
I grabbed the ticket and sprinted down the jet bridge.
My lungs burned, but I didn't slow down until I crossed the threshold of the aircraft.
The flight attendant gave me a scolding look, but I ignored her, making my way down the narrow aisle.
I scanned the rows desperately.
First class.
Nothing.
Business class.
Nothing.
Then, in row 15, I saw them.
Valerie was buckling Lucy into a window seat.
She was whispering something to the little girl, kissing the top of her head.
I stopped in the aisle, my heart hammering against my ribs.
Valerie looked up, sensing my presence.
Her eyes went wide with absolute shock.
"Carter?" she gasped.
"What are you doing?"
"What about your honeymoon?"
"I canceled it," I said, my voice breathless.
The passengers behind me were groaning, pushing me to keep moving.
"We need to talk, Val."
"Not here," she whispered furiously, looking around at the curious faces.
"Go to your seat."
"Please."
I nodded, moving toward the back of the plane.
I squeezed into the middle seat, surrounded by strangers, but I had never felt more alive.
As the plane pushed back from the gate, my phone vibrated in my pocket.
It was my father.
I rejected the call.
It vibrated again.
I rejected it again.
Then, a text message came through.
Get off that plane right now, Carter. If you leave Chloe at that airport, you are dead to this family. Your accounts will be frozen by the time you land.
I stared at the screen for a long moment.
I thought about the corner office in Manhattan.
I thought about the trust fund, the estate, the legacy.
Then, I thought about the little girl with storm-gray eyes.
I typed a reply.
Freeze them.
May you like
I powered off my phone and closed my eyes.
The war had just begun, and I was finally fighting on the right side.
