Whatever it is, I’m waiting for a call or a message from Fenella.I hope she tells me everything my father says or does to her.
The photocopy machine hums as I tighten my grip on my mug of lukewarm coffee.I stare blankly at the phone I’ve placed on top of the copier.Working half-heartedly is awful, but at least it distracts me from the mess in my head.
The phone rings.Dad.I take a deep breath.On the third ring, I pick it up.
“Hello.”My voice sounds strained, even though I try to hold myself together.
“Laird.”My father says my name.
“Yes, Dad.”I straighten my posture, bracing myself.I put down my mug, just in case I lose control during the call.No one wants coffee stains on the wall.
“I want you to break up with her, marry Lady Hawksmoor instead, and move to the London branch as soon as possible.”
“I’m sorry?”I furrow my brow at the string of orders.
“Do I hear a yes?”
“Are you nuts?Fuck no!”I wrinkle my nose and shout.Silence answers me.Did I just yell at him?That's new.There are beats of silence before a bewildered tone reverberate to my ear.
“Are you high on something?”
“No!”I snap back.
“Then why are you being difficult like this?”His breath comes loud and impatient.
I let out a long sigh.In my entire life, I’ve never said a harsh word to him or contradicted him.I’m always terrified of disappointing him or making him angry.Even worse, I’ve spent years keeping him afloat after Mom left.
It has become a habit he expects.But this time, he crosses the line.He pushes me closer to a decision I’ve been thinking about for a long time.
“What did you do to her?”I ask, rubbing my forehead, trying to take back my self-control.
“Nothing.”
“Please don’t lie to me, Dad.”I growl through clenched teeth.
Silence fills the line.I wait, listening.Only our breathing passes between us.
“I asked her to help me get you back on track, but she refused.So I had to ask her to stay away.She got angry, stood up, and left me with that rude attitude.”
Is he serious?I snort in frustration and chuckle dryly.I’ve had enough of his gaslighting for life.“You’re the one being rude to her.”
He scoffs.“Are you defending that girl?”
“Yes.I’m defending her.”There’s no hesitation in my words.
“But I’m your father.I raised you alone all these years.”His voice cracks, fishing for sympathy.
“Yes, but you can’t control me like a string puppet.”I squeeze my eyes shut and groan.God, I wish I could be good to him.I wish I could be whatever he wants me to be.But no, I’ll never be enough in his eyes.
“It’s for your own good.You should’ve learned from my success.You can’t take her side.She’s with that Golden jerk, and you know how much I despise him.”
“If I hadn’t helped capture Peter Morgan and his men, that guy would still be running around with his dirty money.”My voice is low, just like his seconds ago.
“You made the wrong move, son.You should’ve stood with me.Did you forget?You’re a lawyer at my firm, and you’re supposed to obey me.This is unethical.”His voice vibrates with anger, each word tight and clipped.
I fall silent.I blink a few times and try to process what he just said.Unethical?
“You don’t say...”My chest rumbles.My breath catches as the possibility sinks in.I gulp down to suppress my fear of what's comes next.
