“Because I’ve made the decision.” Julian’s gaze shifted to me. “Violet. You stay in London with Hazel while Griffin races. Clear?”
For once in my life, what I wanted aligned perfectly with what Julian wanted, and I couldn’t even enjoy it.
Which immediately made me want to change my mind.
It was a reflex. A survival instinct honed over twenty-six years of his suffocating control. If Julian said left, I swerved right. If he said jump, I sat down. My entire existence was built on being the grit in his well-oiled machine.
Obeying him, even to get what I wanted, felt like losing.
“Actually,” I said, trying not to smirk. “It might be better if I came.”
My father’s expression froze. “Excuse me?”
“Four days is a long time for a newborn to be away from her only parent.”
Griffin’s entire body tensed.
“She’ll have you,” my father said.
“I’m not her parent. Griffin is.” I kept my expression neutral, professional. Not the daughter gleefully fucking with her assholefather. “Attachment theory suggests that consistent parental presence in the first weeks is critical for bonding. Separating them now could impact?—”
“Griffin’s career requires travel. The child will adapt.”
“Of course. I was just thinking out loud.” I smiled sweetly.
His glare promised murder.
Excellent.
“That’s a good point. So they should come.” Griffin frowned.
“Absolutely not.” Julian glared at us through the screen.
“But you just heard Violet. Consistent parental presence?—”
“You are not bringing an infant to the paddock.”
“I wasn’t planning to. Violet can stay at the hotel with her.”
My father’s jaw clenched so hard I heard his teeth grind through the speakers. “Violet stays in London.”
“Even though it’s bad for Hazel’s development?”
I bit the inside of my cheek. Hard.
“It’s better formydaughter not to be there.”
“You know best,” I said sweetly.
If looks could kill, I’d be a corpse.
Worth it.
Selene, sensing the shift, cleared her throat. “That covers logistics. Now, media obligations.” She shared her screen, the race schedule appearing. “Standard interviews Thursday. The focus will be on your performance this season, but we need to be prepared for unexpected questions.”
Griffin nodded. “I can handle the press.”
“This is serious, Griffin.” Julian leaned forward, his expression shifting into something colder, more calculating. The majority shareholder replacing the team principal. “Sponsors don’t pay millions for scandal. They pay for results and clean images.”
