Father’s bored tone carries outside his office before I’ve even had the chance to knock.
“Father,” I say, noting that he doesn’t even bother to look up from the stack of papers on his desk.
“Thank God, you’re not your mother.” His glance is brief and emotionless before he’s focused again on his never-ending correspondence. “What do you want, boy?”
I know the consequences for any delay in answering, but the words won't come out, because the punishment for them will surpass my silence tenfold. Instead, I slowly make my way across the room, stopping a few feet away from the edge of the desk.
“Sit.”
I don’t.
“Oh, for Christ's sake, Henry, either say what’s on your mind or leave. I don’t have time for this.”
“I can’t marry Natalya.”
“What did you say?” It seems his attention is finally mine as he stands to his full height, rage blazing in his eyes.
“I can’t…no, Iwon’tmarry her—”
I’m interrupted by the sting of his palm hitting my cheek. “Youwon’t? Since when have you ever had any power over what you will or will not do?”
For the first time in my life, I let my own rage surface in his presence as I check my face for blood. He’s a giant of a man, as powerful in physical strength as he is in the boardroom, but even so, I could take him. The thought has always been in the back of my mind, with every assault. I know I wouldn’t be able to stop, though, and as evil as he is, he’s still my father. So instead of wrapping my hands around his neck and squeezing until his life has been drained from his lungs, I meet his stare and repeat my proclamation. “I said I. Will. Not. Marry Natalya.”
“I’ll ask you again,whatwere you saying about your marriage?”
“I won’t marry her.”
With a knee to my crotch, he surprises me, taking away whatever power I briefly thought I had. I’m trying to catch my breath and don’t see his fist coming for my face. It only takes a few punches before I’ve lost my balance.
My fall doesn’t stop his abuse. No, he follows me to the ground, landing hit after hit on my already battered body. “You listen, boy. I don’t give a shit about why you suddenly care which bitch carries your last name. You’re going to marry that woman, or I swear to God I’ll kill your useless ass as well as your whore of a mother. And if that isn’t enough to keep you from doing something stupid, I’ll torture that slut of a secretary you’ve fallen in love with before ending her life as well.”
“Don’t. Talk about her,” I grunt out between ragged breaths.
Father only laughs. “God,you’re so weak, falling in love with a useless bitch. I taught you better than that. Women are to beused,you idiot. You’re such a disappointment. You’ll never be fit to carry the Sinclair name.”
Spitting out the blood pooling in my mouth, I lock determined eyes with the monster who created me. “It’s her or no one.”
His response is a series of punches to my ribs, only satisfied when the cracking of bone echoes through the room. Finally done with his abuse, he stands, pulling me up with him by the collar of my shirt. “You will marry that Russian bitch. I don’t give a fuck what you do with your secretary. Keep her hidden away and have as many bastards with her as you’d like, but to society, you belong to Natalya Taranova. You will be a power couple like nobody has ever seen before. Or so help me, Iwilldestroy everything you care about. Is that understood?”
The pain from my broken bone radiates through me. I can barely hold my eyes open, barely hear past the ringing in my ears, but somehow, I manage to nod. Father releases his hold on my shirt, letting me fall to the ground before walking casually back to his desk to resume his paperwork, as if nothing happened.
“If you’ll excuse me, Henry, I have work to do. Please see your way out. And tell Brenda to come and clean this blood off the floor immediately.”
Blanche. If I can get myself up off the floor, I might make it to her apartment. All the pain would be worth it. Once I’m in her arms, it will all be okay. Maybe we could run away. Change our names…
Before I know it, I’ve made it to the foyer, so close to the freedom that lies just beyond the front door.
“Oh, darling, are you leaving before saying hello?”
Mother’s singsong voice echoes in the grand room, causing an almost haunting effect.Fuck. I didn’t want her to see me like this. I’ve always tried to hide his abuse from her—not to protect Father but because she’s never cared for the sight of it.
“My apologies, Mother.” I turn slowly, revealing the damage. “I’m afraid I’m not in a state fit for a lady such as yourself.”
She stops herself just short of arm's length, disgust on her face. “Oh, Henry. Have you been getting in fights again? Youknowhow much I despise such behavior from you. Did we not raise you better than that?”
No, Mother,youdidn’t raise me to do shit. But neither did the team of nannies I’ve had since birth.I bet Blanche will raise our children herself. God, I just know she’ll be the best mom. I can’t help but smile at the thought of the shenanigans that woman will get up to with our brood of children. I can see her now, loading them all in the car for a night out before climbing in the passenger seat and taking my hand. We’ll go out for a nice dinner, maybe to the cinema. Then, when we get back home, and all the kids are in bed, I’ll put another one in her.
“Yes, Mother, of course you did. I’ll do better, I promise.”
