Breaking Kate: The Acceptance Series Read Online Free Page A

because it’s what we do. I loved Grant. He was more of a father to me than my own ever was. If this is true, I don’t even want to know him. I love you! Please tell me you believe me.”
    Michael looks at me with nothing but contempt and pure anger in his eyes.
    “My dad knew I had this. He knew I was going to give it to you last night, but maybe his accident was his way of letting me know I can’t trust you. I can’t be a part of your family and you definitely can’t be a part of ours. Joseph Moore did this with your help or without it—his blood courses through your veins, it’s in your soul—and one day, you will turn into a traitorous bitch because of it.”
    He throws a ring box at me, and I look down at it with trepidation as the tears fall from my eyes. While I continue to stare at the box he whispers, “It took me so long to find a ring that is almost as beautiful as you.” 
    I slowly open the box, and as I do, the inside lights up showcasing a gorgeous diamond flanked by two emeralds on each side and tiny diamonds wrapping all the way around the band. It is absolutely the most exquisite ring I have ever seen—it quite literally takes my breath away. I close the box and take a deep breath, afraid to look at him; I can’t bear to see the pain, anger, and betrayal in his eyes.
    “Michael, you’re angry right now, and you have every right to be. Please listen to me, hear me. I did not do this . I had no knowledge that any of this was happening. You know me, Michael Matthews. You know my heart down to the depths of my soul, and deep down you know I am telling you the God’s honest truth.  I’m going to go home, pack my stuff, and move in here today. When my dad gets back from the Bahamas, I’m going to confront him to find out what is going on. Believe in me, baby, please believe in us. I couldn’t love anyone in the world more than I love you.”
    I’m a mess—a complete sobbing, hysterical mess. My dad has wrecked any chance I had at happiness. How could he do this to them? They are the most decent, honest family I have ever known and he has destroyed them.
    Shaking his head, Michael snatches the ring back from my hand and puts it in his bag. “I loved you more than anything in the world, Katherine, but time won’t change this. Even if you didn’t know—and I’m not convinced that you’re innocent in this—your dad did. I can never be a part of his world, or his family, and that means I can’t be with you. Please don’t contact me again and don’t even think about trying to come to the funeral; you and your father are not welcome.” He grabs his bag and walks out the door, never looking back. I flop myself back on the bed and cry until there are no more tears.
     

     
    Chapter 1 - Michael 3 years later
     
    Las Vegas, also known as Sin City, is my current job location for the next few days. How could anyone not love a city whose entire motto is ‘what happens here, stays here’? I’m staying at the MGM Grand this time around. When I come with the guys they like to stay at the newest hotels, but I like the MGM. It’s not that old, and you just can’t beat a hotel where there’s a bartender who not only knows your name, but also remembers your drink order no matter how long it’s been since your last visit.
    I checked in late last night after work and crashed as soon as I got here. Today is Friday and I don’t have to be back at the site until tomorrow. I spent most of the day at the pool relaxing. Vegas in January is usually freezing, but today it was actually hovering around seventy-three, and that was nice enough for me to babe watch from a pool side cabana. I need a new distraction—someone who can keep my mind off of Katherine.
    It’s been almost four years, but lately I’ve been thinking about her daily. Hell, I have always thought about her daily, but now she haunts my mind every waking second of the day. I wish I was lucky enough to avoid her in my sleep, but it’s