A harsh, bitter laugh bursts from me. “And that gives you an excuse to cheat on her? You are unbelievable. And you”—I turn, cutting my glare to the woman still frozen beside him—“sleeping with a married man. Do you not have any self-respect?”
She fumbles with the sleeves of her dress, refusing to meet my eyes.
“Annalise, I’m so sorry,” my father mutters weakly.
“No. If you were sorry, you wouldn’t have done it in the first place.” My chest aches, fury burning through me. “I hate you.”
Before he can answer, I storm down the hall, my vision blurred with a torrentof tears.
“How have you been, Annalise?” he asks, scratching the back of his neck. “I’ve been, uh, trying to call you.”
“I know.” My reply is clipped, sharp. “I’ve been ignoring you.”
He clears his throat, forcing a weak smile. “It’s nice seeing you two still together. And, uh—congratulations on the NBA, Maddox.”
“Thanks,” Maddox answers flatly, his jaw tight, muscles twitching.
My father turns his attention back to me. “Annalise, can we please talk?”
“I have nothing to say to you, Julian.”
He sighs, shoulders sagging. “I know I made mistakes, but please give me a chance to make things right. Let me be a part of your life again.”
“My life is just fine without you in it,” I snap, every word dripping with the bitterness I’ve carried for years. “You were never there for me while I was growing up, so it wouldn’t really make much of a difference now.”
“Can you please find it in your heart to forgive me?” He takes a careful step forward, only to freeze when Tsuki growls, her lips curling back. He retreats, hands lifted slightly.
I cross my arms over my chest, the anger boiling over. “Why should I? You destroyed our family! You ruined Mom!”
“Your brother gave me another chance,” he says quietly. “Can’t you do the same?”
“Ollie was too young to understand what was going on, which made it easier for you to manipulate him,” I bite back.
He opens his mouth but nothing comes out. Silence stretches between us before he shoves his hands into his pockets, eyes dropping to the pavement.
My gaze flicks to the ring glittering on his mistress’s hand and fury knots in my gut. “Congratulations, by the way. If youtwo start a family, I hope you’ll be a better father to them than you ever were to me.”
I shoot them a scathing smile before turning on my heel. Maddox and Tsuki fall in step behind me.
My grip tightens around the railing near the dock as I blink back angry tears. “I can’t believe he’s still trying to ask for forgiveness,” I mutter, shaking my head.
“He’s got some fucking nerve for that,” Maddox say, his jaw clenched. “What he did was unforgivable.”
“I can’t stand the fact that he’s still with her. That he’s happy,” I say, my voice trembling with rage. “Meanwhile my mom is still trying to piece herself back together.”
“It’s not fair,” he says, shaking his head. “One day, karma’s going to catch up with him. Then he’ll know what betrayal feels like.”
“Yeah,” I whisper. “I hope so.”
He’s quiet for a beat before asking, more softly, “Your mom hasn’t dated since the divorce?”
I shake my head. “Says she doesn’t need anyone—that me and Ollie are enough—but I can see it in her eyes. She’s lonely. She wants love, even if she won’t admit it.” My throat tightens. “She deserves someone who will treat her right.”
“Your father doesn’t deserve either of you. I hope she finds someone worthy of her love.” Those brown eyes hold mine, full of words he doesn’t speak. “And I hope you do too.”
Another shard of ice cracks loose from my heart. Here he is again—lifting me up when I’m about ready to crumble, steady and grounding. And yet… Maddox is the one weakness I can’t afford. I have to be careful—before the whole wall shatters and nothing is left to protect me from him.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
