Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 95816 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 479(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95816 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 479(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
His words echoed in my head. Fair. Brothers and sisters. I wasn’t able to.
As if guessing my thoughts, he shook his head. “I wasn’t able to because I didn’t know about you.”
I wanted to roll my eyes, but I resisted. I was certain the expression on my face said it all.
“Take the money back.”
He shook his head. “No.”
I stepped closer. “I didn’t ask for your money. I don’t want it.”
“As I said, it’s a gift.”
“I refuse.”
He shrugged. “It’s done.”
“Then fucking undo it,” I snarled.
“Watch your tone and your language,” he threatened.
“Or what? You’ll send me to bed without supper? Ground me? News flash, asshole. I’m not a child. You can’t tell me what to do or not to do. And you can’t bribe your way into my life with your wealth.”
A flash of anger crossed his face, his eyes narrowing. “That’s not what I was trying to do. I wanted to make your life a little easier. I thought you’d be pleased.”
“In what alternate universe? I want nothing from you.”
“You’ve made that obvious.” Suddenly, he was yelling. “You’re the one who started this. And you’ve been punishing me ever since it was confirmed I’m your father. You can’t explode into my life—our lives—and then turn your back.” He grabbed at his hair, tugging. “I’m sorry I wasn’t fucking there for you as a kid. But I’m here now, and I’m not going anywhere. You’re my daughter, and I’m trying to make up for it!”
I stared at him. “You can’t.”
“Because you won’t let me!”
“I think you both need to calm down,” Katy interjected. “I’ll make some tea, and we can sort this out.”
“With all due respect, Mrs. VanRyan, I don’t want any fucking tea. And this is none of your business.”
Richard stepped closer. “You will speak to my wife with respect. This is her business since it affects her as well as the rest of my family. She has been nothing but kind to you, and you’re being rude.”
I felt my cheeks flush. I was being rude, but I couldn’t seem to stop myself.
“Reverse the transaction, Richard. I don’t want your money.”
“Too bad, it’s done.”
“I’ll give it away.”
“Then give it away,” he snapped. “Do whatever the fuck you want with it.”
“Stay out of my personal accounts. And out of my life.”
He glared at me for a moment then shook his head.
“Fine, Ashley. If that’s what you want. I won’t bother you anymore.”
I turned and stormed out. In my car, I huffed out a sigh of relief.
I didn’t have to worry about seeing any of the VanRyans again.
I tamped down the swell of sorrow that threatened to engulf me.
Luc set down his glass carefully after listening to me tell him what had happened.
“So, Richard paid off your student loans?”
“Yes. Can you imagine? The fucking nerve of him.”
“And the girls asked you to have coffee?”
“Yes.”
“And you ended up basically telling them all to fuck off?”
I shifted in my seat, suddenly uncomfortable at his statement. “Well, it’s a little more complicated than that.”
“But in a nutshell, that’s it.”
I sighed and pulled my legs up to my chest. “I suppose so.”
He shook his head. “Ashley, love, I don’t understand you.”
“I was angry. Grace and I seem to rub each other the wrong way. And it pissed me off Richard would do that. What an invasion of privacy.” I sniffed.
“Incredibly generous, though.”
I ignored his words. “How would he even get my banking information?”
He shook his head. “If I were taking a guess, I would assume Reid Matthews got it for him. Or maybe he got Halton to find it.” He shook his head. “Ashley, are you angry that he paid off your debt, or angry that by doing so, maybe it makes you think he’s not such a bad guy?”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
He studied me for a moment. “I’m going to tell you what I think. Once I do, you’ll probably ask me to leave, and that’s fine. But I’m going to say it.”
“Say what?”
“I think you’re deliberately trying to sabotage your family’s attempts at kindness and trying to get to know you.”
“How ridiculous. Why would I do that?” I snapped.
“Because,” he replied quietly, leaning over and running his fingers down my cheek. “You’re scared. You want to get to know them. You want to belong, but you’re afraid they might reject you, so you’re rejecting them first. And I stick by my theory you are afraid that by liking them, you’re being disloyal to your mom’s memory.”
I stared at him in silence, his words echoing in my head. I thought of Heather’s plea. Of the hurt I saw flash on Richard’s face when I accused him of trying to bribe me. Of how Grace had extended the offer of coffee. But by accepting Richard’s gift, didn’t that give Grace ammunition? To prove I was in this for his money?