"It made an impression and now I'm unable to give a wonderful man the satisfaction of saying yes to becoming his wife. You crippled me." Her eyes spit fire and she was unaware she was grinding her fingers against his.
"I came to tell you about the pregnancy as a courtesy." She rose, dragging Oscar up with her. "Now my duty is done. I'm pregnant and I refuse to come around this toxic environment while I'm carrying these precious cargoes."
"If you change your mind and finally want to be part of us, the choice is yours. I won't be coming around here anymore."
"How dare you! I gave you life. You ungrateful wretch..."
"Don't!" Oscar did not raise his voice, but it had the desired effect of stunning her into silence. "No one talks to the woman I love like that. Not even you."
"I've sat by and wondered if I should intervene, because she's your daughter. For Christ Almighty sake, she's your daughter. And you cannot see fit to embrace that and accept the wonderful gift that's her?"
He shook his head in disgust. "I will not have you upsetting her. Am I clear on that?"
"As crystal." Victoria rose as well, shoulders and spine straight. "I'll see you out."
"We know the way." With that, Kiara made her way out.
"You're a fool for alienating the only family you have and not realizing what a treasure she is." Oscar raked her witha contemptuous look. "Hopefully you'll come to your senses before it's too late."
Chapter 3
On the drive home, he made a decision. He had things to attend to, certainly paperwork growing out of his ears, but he had seen the sheen of tears in her beautiful eyes, and it tugged at his very heartstrings.
She hid the hurt and pain well, as always, but he knew her, knew his woman very well. She would pretend that she was fine, when all the time, she was battered to pieces inside.
For that he wanted to turn the car around and give Victoria Landan a fine tongue lashing. It had taken Kiara months to confide in him and open up. The things she told him had almost brought him to his knees.
He glanced over at her as he touched the turn signal. She had her eyes closed and her head turned away, but he could see the tense way she held herself. Like a bow string so taut, it was likely to just pop.
She opened her eyes when he stopped the vehicle.
"Why are we here?"
He had turned towards Lakeview Park, one that his family had renovated some years ago. It was a fine summer afternoon, andthe grand weather had brought people out. Water trickled from the stream located in the center of the park and the sounds of laughter and squeals of children filled the air.
"I thought we could stretch our legs."
Unbuckling his seatbelt, he started to open the door.
"I just want to go home."
"In a bit. After the walk, we'll stop by the pub and have supper."
"Dammit."
She ground her teeth together as he pushed the door open and stepped out.
When he rounded the hood and opened her door, she almost folded her arms and refused to get out. But he would have lifted her from the vehicle.
Hissing out a breath, she sat rigidly, while he unhooked her belt and took her hand.
"I'm not a damn child."
"Of course not. I wouldn't be with you if you were."
His voice was calm and reasonable. She had to resist the urge to jam her elbow in his stomach. When she tried to tug her hand away, he held on and started walking towards the pond where ducks floated among the lily pads and children stood near the edge to clap in delight.
The sight had her stomach unclenching as she watched them. When he felt her fingers relaxed in his, he let out a silent sigh of relief and stood there for a spell with her.
