“About you. How long are you going to hold a minor indiscretion against him?”
“It was neither minor nor ‘indiscreet.’ He was screwing his assistant in his office. Youdoremember that, right? You’re not that old.”
“So? You did that model… What was his name again?” He snaps his fingers. “Filip Novak?”
“Filip and I went to a gala together once. That’s it.” And it was after I caught Darren with his assistant. It’s hardly the same thing, but somehow it’s turned into a “Lucienne’s fucking a model behind her fiancé’s back” scandal. I was frustrated but resigned because things like that happen to me all the time, and Bianca was furious. Darren practically sagged with relief that he didn’t look like a complete asshole. “But good old Roderick. You’ve never been interested in the truth, just what’s most convenient for you.”
“And you’ve been nothing but shameful,” Roderick says with a harrumph. “Filip, and now Sebastian Lasker? At least Filip wasn’t taken. Do you have to go stealing men from other women, too? Gabriella Ricci doesn’t deserve this.”
Wow.“When did you become so concerned about Gabriella Ricci?” Assuming he even knows her well enough to feel anything one way or the other.
I shouldn’t be let down that he hasn’t said a single kind word about me, but a tight knot is lodged in my chest anyway. The only comfort is that it’s grown smaller over the years. “Instead of wasting your breath on me, you should have your ‘thou shalt not steal other women’s men’ lecture with your precious Vonnie.”
He blinks in confusion. “Why?”
“I found her in bed with a man who isn’t hers,like a little slut.” I infuse my words with all the contempt I have for him and his children. I want him to lose control and strike me, right here in front of two witnesses. Nesovia might be stuck in the Dark Ages in so many ways, but if Roderick hits me, it’ll strip him of the right to oversee my finances. The country takes physical abuse seriously—probably so it can pretend it’s civilized. Too bad it doesn’t care about emotional or mental abuse.
On top of that, I’d love to see him thrown in jail for assault.
Roderick’s face colors. If he were a cat, all the hair on his back would be stiffening with outrage. I wonder if he’s ever been upset on my behalf? Or if he’s even capable?
He points a finger. “You can’t talk about your sister like that!”
“She’s not my sister, not in any way that matters.” I let my gaze rake over him. “Sheis, however,yourdaughter. As for Darren and his ‘minor indiscretion,’ it was a dealbreaker. Grandfather sided with me on this matter because, unlike you, he cared about basic human decency.” I try not to be bitter about the fact that Grandfather’s care for human decency didn’t extend to firing Darren.
A vein on Roderick’s forehead throbs.
“You’re the only one who thinks fucking an assistant isn’t a big deal.” I tap my chin theatrically with my index finger. “But then, that’s understandable. You did the same thing while Mom was alive. So keep your morality lectures to yourself.”
“You can’t talk to me like that! I’m your father!”
“A father who only sees me as a human ATM.” He’s never loved me or cared for me. It’s tragically comical how he focuses on our blood relation when it suits him. “So no, you’re not. Donating sperm doesn’t make a man a father,” I sneer, praying I finally push him over the edge. “And you’re barely a man at that.”
He breathes roughly, his eyes dark as he glowers at me. He clenches his hands into shaking fists, but doesn’t come at me.
How disappointing.
My phone pings. I glance at the screen, dismissing Roderick, since he isn’t going to get violent anytime soon.
–Jason: Sure, I can officiate the ceremony for you.
I smile a little. Jason Choi is a judge in San Francisco and one of my closest friends. I asked him if he could facilitate my romantic elopement in the Bay Area. Jason doesn’t know who the groom is yet—I told him it was a surprise.
–Jason: Tomorrow at around 5:30 p.m. good? Or is that too early? You sounded like you couldn’t wait. But my schedule’s pretty flexible, so up to you.
Hmm. I haven’t been able to decide how soon to get married—Sebastian and I haven’t even announced our engagement. But hurrying things along seems like a great idea. I don’t want to take my time and give Vonnie a chance to try to work her way into his bed. Sebastian seems like a man of good judgment, but you never know.
I can’t afford to have anything derail this engagement. I’ve put up with so much already. Besides, won’t it be oh so satisfying when Roderick finds out I married a man he will never be able to manipulate?
–Me: I’ll speak with my fiancé and get back to you. And thank you! I definitely owe you one. Can you also be a witness to a contract signing afterward?
–Jason: Shouldn’t you sign the prenup before the ceremony?
–Me: Not a prenup. And we can’t sign it until you complete the ceremony.
It’s the document Sebastian has to sign to hand over full control over myself tome. My legal team in Nesovia is going to file it with the proper authorities and work with Huxley & Webber to start moving Peery Diamonds. Just thinking about it makes me shiver with a sense of liberation.
“Are you ignoring me?” Roderick sounds a little pissed off.
