Page 63 of Obsessed Mr. O’Brian

Regina always begged, screamed, and sobbed when I refused to bring her here. She loves this brand, but although she spent ridiculous amounts of my money here, I never came with her. I knew deep in my psyche, even though I never put it into words, that one trip here with her and she would have manipulated me into marrying her. Avoidance was my only option since I thought I owed her my life, and pride wouldn’t allow me to cut ties with her.

When I steer us through the door, Millie sneaks a glance at my face. I smirk and lead her straight to the engagement rings.

The lady behind the counter does a poor job of hiding her disdain for children. Millie notices, but instead of sharing my anger, she turns concerned eyes to Lola.

She truly is my daughter’s guardian angel.

“If nothing suits you, we can go somewhere else. Anywhere else. Price is not an issue,” I say.

Millie blinks, meets my stare, then looks down at the display case for the first time. Her eyes widen.

“Are you asking me to marry you?” she asks.

“Yes, but this isn’t an official proposal. You deserve better than this,” I reply.

“Isn’t this too fast?” she breathes.

“No.”

She takes several deep breaths before pivoting to face me. Still tucked under my arm, the movement brushes her breast against my side and brings the upper swell of her ass to my fingertips.

“What happened to giving me time to focus on Lola?” she asks.

“You. You happened,” I say.

She sighs and closes her eyes for a moment.

“That sounds like an accusation,” she deadpans.

“That’s not how I meant it,” I promise.

She opens her eyes and studies my expression.

Lola leans over and grabs Millie’s face without warning. Millie and I startle at the unexpected interruption. After patting her cheeks a few times, Lola wiggles for freedom, so I set her down and hold her hand so she won’t wander.

“What about Regina?” Millie asks softly.

“I’m right here, bitch.”

All the blood drains from my head at the familiar, grating voice. My insides freeze. I turn in slow motion and meet the eyes of the woman who kept me trapped in a nightmare of lies for thirteen years.

The shock on Millie’s face fills me with dread. She looks ready to pass out.

My hands are too empty, but I don’t dare reach out to Millie.

Regina takes a step toward us. Her high heel clicks on the marble floor. From the obscene amount of jewelry on her body, she glitters almost as much as the store does. Her tight, revealing dress and layers of makeup seem so fake next to Millie’s natural beauty. I don’t know how I managed to survive her presence for so long.

Regina turns her attention to the lady behind the counter.

“Call the police. This whore is trying to steal my husband and my daughter.”

“I’m not your husband,” I snarl.

“But Lola is my daughter. I want her back.”

Ice-cold horror infects every cell in my body at the clear threat in Regina’s tone.

Ghastly pale and with unfocused eyes, Millie whispers to Regina, “You’re alive…” before turning to me, “and you knew it.”