Jesus, she’s only two years older than me. “And how many more stepsiblings will you be acquiring when they marry?”
“None. She doesn’t have any children; never been married before.”
“She’ll be divorced with several in the next few years.” I know my sperm-donor’s routines perfectly well. “Why are you telling me this?”
Hunter steeples his fingers under his chin. “You’re invited to the engagement party. Father called in a favor to have me personally deliver the invitation.” He reaches into his suit jacket and pulls out a beautiful crème envelope, stamped with my name in gold lettering.
I gaze at it like it’s a snake readying to envenomate me. “I don’t want that.”
“And I don’t want to act as a middleman because he’s a fucking pussy, but here we are,” Hunter deadpans. “Take it.”
“I’m not going.”
“That’s your prerogative. At least give it a read so you can laugh at the stationary.”
My fingers tremble with anger as I accept the invitation from my brother. He’ll keep pestering me, so I decide to get it over with, ripping the envelope open and withdrawing the smooth, metallic card inside. Of course, Reynard is far too wealthy to use regular paper; this invitation is lasered onto some sort of hard plastic cut into a flower shape, studded with crystals.Snob.
When I finally read the words finally etched into the surface, my bloodboils.
To my dearest Victoria,
Please join me and Sienna in celebrating our engagement on May 29ththat The Plaza.
Love,
Dad.
I read and reread the letter several times. If it were a piece of paper, I’d tear it into shreds and set it on fire.
Love, Dad. Is he fuckingjoking?
“I haven’t been invited to any of his extended family holiday parties since I was ateenager,” I hiss. “I haven’t spoken to him in years. What the hell is this?”
“Probably his ridiculous attempt at some sort of reconciliation.” Hunter rolls his eyes. “In any case, it’s my duty to advise you to attend. He might writeyou into the will and give you a trust fund if you form a relationship with him.”
“I’m not interested in his fucking money!” I shout. Several patrons at nearby tables turn to stare at me, and I shrivel. Thinking about my father is enough to get me riled, but talking about him—getting this bullshit invite from him—makes me want to set the restaurant on fire.
Hunteryawns. “You’re being short-sighted. He’s a multi-billionaire, Victoria. As in, when he dies, about ten figures in cash, properties, and investments will be split amongst his biological kids. Even though there might be a dozen of us by then, that’s still eight figures each. You’d be stupid not to take him up on it.”
“I’d much rather be stupid than be beholden to him. Besides, if he was going to leave me anything, don’t you think he’d havedone it already?I don’t have—or need—a trust fund, and I know I’m not in the will.” Mom told me as much in a very awkward conversation many years ago, when she also first explained that I was the product of an affair that took place between her and my DNA- bestower, years after she and my father had divorced.
Now that you’re old enough, you should know… Reynard hasn’t left you anything. He’s prioritized his other children.
At the time, it hurt to know I was so thoroughly disinherited, especially because I didn’t understandwhy. Even now, when the pain has had years to fade, knowing that I’m second-best still stings. Literaldrug addictsget more attention from Reynard than I do.
I toss the invitation back at Hunter. He picks it up and scans it with the same aloof expression I’m sure he wears when he’s staging hostile takeovers.
His lips curve with amusement. “This is a bit much.”
“Abit much?It’s bullshit, and I’m not interested. I’m not going, and that’s that.”
Hunt nods. “I’ll let him know you’re still thinking about it.”
Asshole. I’m preparing to launch into a rant when I see a familiar scowl flash in the corner of my eye. My head slowly swivels toward it slowly, exorcist-style, and my heart plummets all the way into the depths of a miserable abyss.
I really thought tonight couldn’t get any worse than having to ask my brother for a favor, talk him down from getting rash, and then see a ridiculous party invitation from my father.
But now, it looks like Asher fucking Lawrence decided to disgrace this restaurant with his presence.
