I don’t remember the drive back. I remember gripping the steering wheel too tightly. I remember my pulse in my ears. I remember thinking over and over that he does not get to do this.
I parked crooked in the drive and barely shut the door behind me before I was inside the house.
“Raphael!” I called, not caring that my voice carried.
No answer from downstairs. Of course. Office.
I marched up the stairs and didn’t bother knocking.
I pushed the door open. He was behind his desk, jacket off, sleeves rolled, reading something on his laptop.
He looked up, and for a split second, he smiled like he was glad to see me.
Then he saw my face. He leaned back slowly in his chair and took a deep breath.
“What happened??” he asked evenly.
I held up my phone, the screen still open to the billing portal.
“What is this?”
He glanced at it. Then back at me. “I assume that is your father’s account.”
“You paid it?!”
“Yes.” Just like that.
My chest tightened.
“You don’t get to do that.”
He pushed back from the desk and stood, hands braced on the edge of the wood. His voice stayed maddeningly steady. “I removed financial instability.”
“You removed my choice.”
His jaw tightened slightly. “You would have paid it anyway.”
“That’s not the point!”
The calm in his posture didn’t shift. “Then explain the point. I have given you freedom to choose. Your father’s bills are no longer hanging over your head. I have acquired Merry Band of Maids and will give everyone insurance.”
“You did what?” My mouth fell open. I could not believe that is how he fixed this. “You plan to fix the power imbalance by owning my company and paying my bills. Raph, do you hear how crazy that sounds?”
His brow furrowed, and he licked his bottom lip, but he stayed quiet.
I stepped forward, heart racing. “The point is you don’t get to decide, to swoop in and solve my life without asking me.”
“I was not aware this required permission.”
I let out a sharp huff of laughter. “Of course you weren’t.”
His eyes narrowed faintly. “Belle.”
“You cannot have this much control over me.”
“It is not control.”
“You bought my company.”
