Page 13 of Obsessed Mr. O’Brian

“Is there something else you’re concerned about? Something you’re afraid would’ve been made worse by my actions?”

I cross my arms over my chest and lean back. Even when I recognize the defensive position for what it is, I don’t change my stance.

Millie’s eyes widen and horror drains her face of color as she pulls the answer out of thin air.

“Her seizures. You’re still not sure what causes them. I am so sorry, Ar—Mr. O’Brian. My ignorance is a poor excuse. I apologize for causing you concern and promise I will do everything in my power to avoid doing so again in the future.”

She astounds me. I stare at her in shock. Unless she spent hours studying Millie’s information—which she may have if she received it yesterday evening—then her ability to recall information may be the best of anyone I’ve ever met, including Quinn, the first person I hired when I started with the company who has worked tirelessly over the years and is now the vice president.

Millie Grant is more of a threat than I imagined. She’s no longer a self-centered, manipulative teenager. Instead, she’s a wickedly smart woman who could cause too much damage if I let her influence my daughter.

I lean forward and brace my elbows on the table, ensuring I have her full attention.

“There’s no need for promises. I won’t hire you,” I growl.

To my surprise and delight, Millie mirrors my pose and matches my intensity.

“Why?” she demands.

“I do not trust you enough to leave my daughter alone with you.”

“Then don’t.”

For a moment my heart drops as I misinterpret her words as defeat, but before I can berate myself for feeling disappointed, the ferocious glint in her stare and the challenge in her stance assures me she hasn’t given up.

“Don’t what?” I snarl.

“Don’t leave me alone with her. We’ll go everywhere you do until I prove I’m the best caretaker for your little girl,” she says.

I scoff.

“My daughter and I share a room. Will you sleep with us too?”

“If that’s what it takes to ensure Lola is healthy and safe, yes.”

My disbelief pulls me to my feet. The urge to reach across the table and shake the beautiful, relentless woman nearly wins. I run my hand through my hair and blow out my breath instead.

“Stop trying to steal Regina’s life,” I snap. “She wouldn’t trust you with our daughter either.”

The moment the words leave my mouth, I regret them. I don’t even know why I say them. Regina was never a good mother, and she grew to hate me almost as much as she hated the supposed best friend who turned her back on us.

Millie pales and leans more of her weight on the table as though she struggles to remain upright. Self-hatred rips through me at the misery and mourning etched into her gorgeous features. She believes her friend is dead because of what I put on the paperwork. She doesn’t know the truth.

With herculean effort, Millie rises to her full height—which barely reaches the center of my chest without her high heels—and stands with her arms loose at her sides, chin tilted upward and gaze peering into my soul.

“Regina was my best friend before the accident.” Her voice wobbles, but she clears her throat and continues with mesmerizing strength. “I would never do anything to harm her child, nor would I ever try to replace her.”

I open my mouth, whether to refute her claim or apologize for lying to her, I don’t know, but she cuts me off before I begin.

“It’s obvious you hate me, Mr. O’Brian, but your daughter’s well-being is more important than either of our feelings. If we can agree on that, nothing else matters.”

Her words, along with the resolution in her clear blue eyes, seals my fate. I cannot deny her when she stands up so passionately for my daughter.

I could search for decades and never find anyone this dedicated to my daughter’s care.

The woman before me does not resemble the monster Regina spoke of, but words are cheap. Time will reveal the truth.

Needing to feel more in control of the situation, I throw down a challenge in the guise of a condition. I’m not sure who it’s meant to torture more—her by limiting her freedom or me by having her so close—but I deliver the words with sharp demand.