Before anyone could respond, the sound of a car door slamming outside made us all freeze.
“Shit,” Ava whispered. “That’s him.”
I glared at her. “So much for a thirty-minute heads-up.”
FORTY-ONE
The front door opened without a knock, and my father stepped inside like he owned the place. Which, technically, he helped pay for, but that wasn’t the point. His face was set in hard lines, jaw already stiff with barely contained fury.
“Andrew.” His voice carried that particular tone that meant I was about to get lectured like I was still twelve years old. “We need to discuss your poor judgment.”
I tightened my grip on Rory, every muscle in my body coiled tight. “Hello to you too, Dad. Please, come on in,” I said sarcastically.
His eyes swept the room, taking in Harper standing there with her arms still crossed and Ava frozen by the couch. When his gaze landed back on Harper, his expression grew even colder.
“Miss Tinsley.” The words came out like he’d tasted something rotten. “How convenient that you’re here.”
Harper’s chin lifted slightly, but I could see the tension in her shoulders. “Mr. Dumontier.”
Dad turned his attention back to me. “I need to speak with you alone. It’s a family matter.”
“Anything you have to say, you can say in front of everyone in this room,” I replied.
Dad’s eyebrows shot up. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me.” I moved closer to Harper, a show of solidarity. “Harper’s not going anywhere.”
“Andrew—”
“No.” The word came out sharper than I intended. Butthis. This right here was why I’d always hated hearing my full name. There was always an underlying tone of scorn when it was used. At least when Harper had shortened it to Andy, it had been kind of playful, even if she did it to torture me. But I wouldn’t let my dad walk in here and make me feel bad for the best thing that had ever happened to me.
“This is my house, Dad. My life. Mychoice.”
“Your choice?” Dad’s laugh was hollow and bitter. “You think this is about choice? This is about loyalty, Andrew. About family honor. About everything our family has worked for.”
Rory started getting fussy in my arms, sensing the tension in the room. I tried bouncing her gently, but she only got more agitated, her little whimpers escalating toward full crying.
“What exactly are you suggesting?” I asked, though I had a pretty good idea where this was headed.
“I’m suggesting that you’re being naive.” Dad’s voice got harder with each word. “The Tinsleys have been looking for ways to hurt our family for generations. Your great-grandfather trusted hers once, and it cost us everything. Nowsheshows up here, conveniently needing help with projects, playing the perfect little caretaker to my granddaughter?”
“That’s enough.” The words came out low and dangerous.
But Dad was just getting started. “You think this is coincidence, son? You think she actually cares about you? The Tinsleys nearly cost us our legacy once,” he continued, his voice getting harder. “I will not stand by and watch them do it again through my granddaughter.”
Rory’s crying got worse, and despite my attempts to calm her, I didn’t think I was the person she wanted right now. Harper looked at me, a question in her eyes. I nodded slightly, and she reached out, gently taking my daughter from my arms.
Almost immediately, Rory began to settle as Harper started that automatic swaying motion, humming softly under her breath. The transformation was instant—my daughter melting into Harper’s embrace like she belonged there.
And that’s when my dad completely lost it.
“I will not have my granddaughter raised by a Tinsley!” he exploded, his control finally snapping. “I will not watch this family be destroyed from the inside out because my son is thinking with his dick instead of his brain!”
The words cracked through the room, sharp enough to make Harper flinch. Fury and the urge to protect her surged hot in my chest, impossible to hold back.
“Get out,” I said quietly.
“What?” That seemed to take some of the wind out of his sails.
