“Who were the men moving your things?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“It does. Are they the four men you mentioned?”
“No. What matters is that I don’t live there anymore. Let me go,” I whisper.
“Haven—”
“If you ever loved me, just let me go.” I pause, and the silence is long. “I found something great. I don’t need your permission or blessing. I don’t care how many men work for you who could find me. Your business is none of mine. As long as it doesn’t affect me, I’ll let you continue whatever deals you make.”
“Do you have your mother’s paintings?”
“Why?”
“I have a buyer.”
“No,” I snap.
“He’s offering a lot of money.”
“I don’t give a fuck. They are mine. Mom left them to me. I will never sell them.”
“The man is hard to refuse. You don’t realize what that kind of money could do for us.”
“There is no us.” I brush back my hair, fisting it on the back of my head. “I have the paperwork saying she left those to me. I am the rightful owner, and it has nothing to do with you. If you tryto make a deal, I will fight you. I have people around me who will never allow you near me.”
“I deserve—”
“You don’t deserve anything,” I growl, standing up. “You don’t want to push me. If you do, I will share all the pictures I took of the abuse you inflicted on me. My friend advised me to gather evidence, just in case. I have dozens of pictures of my bruised face. Will bad press affect your business?”
“You wouldn’t,” he hisses.
“If you try to fuck with my life or take Mom’s pictures, I’ll fight so dirty you’ll be covered in shit. You didn’t pay much attention to me except with your fists, but I raised myself. I decided a long time ago to plan my future. I have the money Mom gave me under lock and key. I’ve made copies of all the pictures. I also gave them to a trusted friend who won’t hesitate to fuck you up if something happens to me. I’m not your little princess anymore. I grew up and hardened my heart when it comes to you.” I drop my hand and flinch. My anger overrode my pain. “I was a curious child. When you were working all the time, I played in your office. There was an old typewriter in there that I would pretend to write letters on. Sometimes, I took a peek in the drawers. I was lonely, so I would read the notes I found.”
“What did you find?” he asks faintly.
“You don’t want to find out,” I say softly.
“You're threatening me.”
“I’m making you a promise. Don’t mess with me or anyone I love, and people won’t have to find out what a bad person you are. Your business is all about being a model man. It’s your choice.”
“Fine,” he grits out. “What do you want?”
“To be left alone. You don’t have a daughter. I live my life, and you live yours. We won’t talk again. Call off any of the men you have had following me, and I won’t come back.”
“I want the evidence,” he says.
“That would be silly. Why would I give it to you? How will I know you will keep your word?”
“Alright,” he grits out. “If you keep those things to yourself, I’ll leave you alone.”
“Good choice.” My heart aches, and I press my palm to it.
“Are we done?” he asks harshly.
“Yeah, we’re done,” I whisper. He hangs up, and I stare at his name a moment before blocking the number. My eyes sting, and my breath is short. I look up when I hear footsteps and see Lawson in the doorway. “I spoke to my father.”
