\[Denali’s POV\]
“Nadia.”
Rosco’s voice echoes from the other end of the phone, followed by a woman’s giggle.
“I told you that we weren’t done,” she says.
Frowning, I pull the phone away from my ear and click the end-call button. So this was what his business trip was. He was off seeing some other woman. Fine, he was an adult and could do what he wanted to, but I wasn’t going to let him string me along as he did.
Throwing my phone down, I get up and begin to move, deciding that I wasn’t going to sit around moping because of some bastard that I was forced to marry. However, before I manage to reach the room’s exit, my phone starts to ring again.
“Not going to bother,” I murmur, heading out and making my way down the stairs and then out onto the grounds so I could enjoy the beautiful day.
I don’t know how long I sit in the sun, letting it warm my skin while I watch all the groundsmen go about their day, but when I start to feel too hot, I get up and prepare to head back inside, but stop as a car rolls up that I immediately recognize.
If my mood wasn’t already bad, then it would certainly go south due to the man and woman that step out of the car and begin to make their way up the path of Crystal Fang’s grounds.
When they reach the door, my father slams his fist on it and then steps back until a servant appears.
“S-sir,” she gasps, looking terrified. “Why are you here?”
“Where the hell is that useless daughter of mine?” He growls, peering around the woman as if he would spot me behind her.
"She..." the servant begins but stops as my stepmother lets out a growl of warning. “I’ll fetch her.”
“See that you do,” she huffs.
Remaining silent, I continue to watch the scene unfold as my father and stepmother wait for the servant to return with me in tow, and when she appears by herself, my stepmother lashes out.
“That’s enough!” I gasp, rushing forward and blocking the servant before she can hit her again. “What in the world do you think you’re doing?”
“Useless girl!” My father roars, grabbing me by my hair. “You can’t even keep a man by your side!”
Can’t keep a man? What the hell was he even talking about? Was he also aware of Rosco’s current whereabouts?
As this thought hits me, Rosco’s parents appear and watch the scene unfold at their own front door.
“Roger,” his father finally calls. “What is the meaning of this?”
“Stay out of this Hamilton,” my father warns. “It is because of your son that not only my family but also my daughter is a laughing stock now!”
At his words, I know for a fact that he was aware of what Rosco was up to, but how exactly did he already figure it out? Did he have someone following him?
“What are you talking about?” Hamilton demands, his voice dripping with ice. “What is it that my son has done?”
Instead of responding, my father pulls out his phone and then clicks on something before turning the screen, so we can all see what has set him off.
Keeping my expression neutral, I stare at the picture of Rosco and a beautiful woman with dark hair and sparkling eyes as they make their way into a resort. From their intimate contact, it is pretty clear that they aren’t just there for business.
So this was the woman that I heard on the other end of the phone. But if he was with someone so beautiful and clearly fit for him, why did he even bother calling me?
To mock you. The small voice in the back of my head says.
Right. I should have known that his acting nice was simply an act and a way of pissing off my father for his vengeance. How could someone be so hostile and then turn so soft? It was impossible.
“Do you care to explain this?” My father demands when Hamilton doesn’t respond. “Why insist on your son marrying my daughter when he clearly has a lover? I won’t stand for it!”
“And what do you intend to do?” Hamilton counters. “I’m sure there is a reasonable explanation for this. You know how the paparazzi like to twist things.”
“Twist? Your son is clearly flaunting this woman to the public,” my father snaps. “You’ve made a fool of my family and my company with this! We had an agreement, and since you have decided to break it, don’t blame me for what happens next.”
“And what exactly are you planning?” Hamilton counters.
“Denali will be divorcing Rosco,” my father responds, causing my heart to plummet to my feet. “And she will be marrying the son of Blood Moon.”
Divorcing and then remarrying. Why wasn’t I surprised by this in the slightest?
Again, my father was reminding me of the fact that I was nothing more than a tool to build his power, and since one cooperation ended, he was ready for the next.
“Get your things, Denali,” my father snaps, fixing his angry gaze on me. “We’re leaving.”
For a moment, I don’t speak as I consider his words, and when something in me snaps, I cross my arms.
“No,” I respond, keeping my voice even. “I won’t.”
At my words, my father’s eyes grow wide with shock, but he quickly collects himself and prepares for another attack.
“What was that?” He hisses through gritted teeth. “I don’t think I heard you correctly.”
“You did,” I counter, standing my ground. “I won’t go with you, and I won’t be divorcing Rosco.”
Fuck it. He could have all the women on the side that he wanted, but he promised me a mutual agreement to destroy the ones that made my life a living hell, and I was going to make him stick to it.
I was over being used by those around me, and since I was free from that place as long as I was with Rosco, I wasn’t going to let go that easily.
“Denali,” my father says, his eyes flashing with anger. “Do you know what you’re saying? Your so-called husband has another woman. Have some respect for yourself!”
“By letting you marry me off to someone else?” I counter. “I am showing respect for myself by finally standing up for myself.”
Maybe I had a false sense of security in this place, but for the first time in my life, I actually felt free.
“Since you’ve stated your reason for showing and your request has been rejected, please leave.” Hamilton chuckles. “As for what you think is going on with Rosco and Nadia, you’re mistaken, and we will be sure to do damage control.”