The Runaway Bride And The Billionaire

Stephen has met someone else.

Though she didn’t have to tell them quite how she’d found out, did she?

I’m fine. Don’t worry. But I don’t want to talk to anyone right now, OK?

No way would her family respect that. But she wanted to allay the fears she knew they’d all have straight away. The fears they’d always have, thanks to her teenage years: anorexia was a mental illness with physical symptoms, and of course they’d worry that she’d relapse. Even though she’d spent quite a while in counselling and worked hard to overcome her problems.

PS I *am* eating. Don’t worry.

She ended with a smiley face she didn’t feel. And three kisses.

Then she added a second text to her parents.

Please do *not* rush home from India. All is under control. Or it will be. See you next month. Love you! xxx

Then she called their HR manager. ‘Priya, I’m so sorry to call you outside work, but we’ve got a bit of a tricky situation.’ She explained what had happened.

‘What a bastard,’ Priya said, sounding outraged. ‘I can’t believe he did that to you. Are you all right?’

‘I will be,’ Immi said. ‘I was kind of hoping he’d offer to resign.’

‘But he’s too selfish for that.’ Priya sighed. ‘What he did was despicable—but it’s to do with his personal life outside work. So, much as I’d like to sack him, I can’t. I can’t even give him a written warning or put him on gardening leave.’

‘Dad will probably want to kick him out.’

‘And then Stephen could take him to a tribunal and make a claim for unfair dismissal.’ Priya paused. ‘Do you think it’s likely that he can do any damage to the business?’

Would he really turn out to be that nasty, and try to damage the business now his ambitions had been thwarted? ‘I guess anything he does will leave either a paper trail or an electronic trail that would lead straight back to him. If he’s determined to stay then I don’t think he’s stupid enough to do anything where Dad could sue him for misconduct or negligence.’

‘Do you want to move your desk to my office first thing, so you don’t have to face him?’ Priya offered.

‘You are the world’s biggest sweetheart,’ Immi said, ‘and I really appreciate the offer, but no. I’m not letting him drive me out of my office. Maybe seeing me every day will make him feel guilty enough to do the right thing and leave.’

‘Once people know what he’s done—and it won’t be from me,’ Priya said, ‘I have a feeling that nobody in Marlowe Aviation is going to talk to him ever again.’

‘It’s a mess,’ Immi said. ‘But I’m going to stick it out. I’m not letting him drive me out of my family’s business.’

‘Good,’ Priya said. ‘And my door is open any time you need it, OK?’

‘Thanks.’

When she’d finished the call, she saw she had a screen full of texts.

Get that you don’t want to talk, her twin said, but do you need a hand unpicking the wedding?

Typical Andie, being practical.

Immi texted back.

Thanks, but am fine.

And she was surprisingly fine. It felt as if a huge weight had just been lifted from her shoulders—which in itself told her that cancelling the wedding had been the right thing to do. Marrying Stephen would’ve been a huge, huge mistake.

Will let you know if I get stuck on anything.

There was one from Posy.

Love you, let me know if you need anything. Portia’s been at the villa. Go there if you need a break. xxx

Thanks. Might take you up on that later. Love you, too xxx, she texted back to Posy.

Getting the next flight home. Will sack him first thing in the morning, was her father’s response.

This one she definitely had to handle in person. Sighing, she called her father’s mobile. ‘Dad?’

‘How dare he hurt you like that? Who the hell does he think he is?’ Paul Marlowe raged.

‘Dad, I’m fine,’ she said. ‘And you can’t sack him. I’ve already spoken to Priya. If you sack him, he can sue you for unfair dismissal.’

‘What—after what he’s done? That’s totally unacceptable.’

‘It’s the law,’ she said gently. ‘Dad, really. It’s fine. I’ll manage. Don’t cut your trip short. You’re not supposed to be home until next month.’ Which should’ve been for her wedding, but that wasn’t going to happen now. ‘You and Mum have planned this trip for ever and I don’t want you missing out. It’s fine.’

‘Hmm,’ Paul said. ‘Your mother wants to speak to you.’

There was a brief pause, and then she heard her mother say, ‘Are you all right, Immi?’

‘I’m fine,’ Immi said.

‘Are you sure?’

‘Yes. Actually, Stephen’s probably done us both a favour. When Andie got married, I realised that he doesn’t look at me the way Cleve looks at Andie, and I don’t look at him the way Andie looks at Cleve. I thought maybe I was just having cold feet, but...’

‘If it isn’t right, it isn’t right.’

But Immi could hear the worry in her mother’s voice. ‘Mum, I’m eating,’ she said gently. ‘I promise, I’m not going to start starving myself. I’m older now and much, much wiser. Do you want me to video myself eating every meal and send you the evidence?’

‘Yes,’ Julie said. ‘Well, obviously that’d be a bit excessive. But I’m your mother. I wouldn’t be human if I didn’t worry about you. I let you down last time.’

‘No, you didn’t. I was a teenager, and teenagers are very good at hiding things we don’t want our parents to know. Honestly. I’m eight years older than I was back then, and the counselling really sorted me out. My head’s in a good place. Yes, I’m angry and hurt, and I might tape Stephen’s picture on a punchbag at the gym and pound it to shreds, but that’s as far as it’ll go. Don’t worry. I really want you and Dad to finish your trip.’

‘I should be home, helping you cancel all the wedding stuff.’

‘It’s fine. I have lists. Andie’s already offered to help. It’ll be fine,’ Immi soothed.

‘But you’ll ring me if you need me?’

‘I’ll ring you,’ Immi promised. ‘But you and Dad have been looking forward to India. Just go to all the places and take a gazillion photos to show me when you get home. Love you, Mum.’