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"Stay out of this," the intruder warns him, eyes narrowing dangerously. "This is between me and Claire."
My pulse races, my breath catching in my throat as I stare at the unwelcome figure standing before us. The room has gone silent, all eyes on the unfolding confrontation. And in that moment, I realize with a sinking heart that my father has caught up with me, threatening to shatter the fragile peace and happiness I've found with Billy.
* * *
Billy
My eyes narrow at the man who claims he has business with Claire. I barely suppress that growl that bubbles up in my throat. I can't stop myself from clenching my fists and stepping protectively in front of Claire.
"Father?" Claire's voice trembles slightly as she addresses the man. "What are you doing here?"
I take in Claire's father. Oh, I know all about him. Richard Hutchison. Successful businessman. Comes from money. Involved in politics. Entitled bastard. It's clear from the way he holds himself that he believes himself to be above all this.
"Here to save you from this...charade," Richard sneers, his gaze sweeping disdainfully over the room. "You're wasting your time with these people, Claire. You belong in law school, not serving slop to the needy."
"Father, please," Claire pleads, her cheeks flushing pink with embarrassment. "This is important to me."
"Important?" Richard scoffs, crossing his arms. "You think handing out free food is more valuable than becoming a successful lawyer? I've invested too much in your education for you to throw it all away on a whim. What do you think all that private school was for, huh? It was to set you up for college, you silly girl. Not for you to throw it away on charity."
My jaw clenches as I watch Claire wilt under her father's harsh words. She's strong, but no one deserves to be belittled like this, especially not in front of everyone. She hesitates, searching for the right words to defend herself.
"Helping others isn't a whim, Father. It's what makes me happy," she says, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Happy?" Richard's eyes narrow, and he takes a step toward her. "I didn't raise you to seek happiness in mediocrity, Claire. You're meant for so much more than...this." He gestures dismissively at the soup kitchen, his eyes briefly flicking toward me with disdain.
My blood boils as I take a step forward, ready to defend Claire and our shared passion. She's too good for this world, and she deserves better than her father's scorn. The anger simmers beneath my skin, but I force myself to stay calm. For Claire's sake.
"Enough!" I shout, stepping between Claire and her father. My heart races in my chest, a mix of anger and protectiveness pulsing through my veins. "You have no right to talk to her like that."
Richard's eyes narrow, his gaze piercing through me like a dagger. "And just who the hell do you think you are?" he demands, his voice dripping with contempt.
I square my shoulders, refusing to back down under his intimidating stare. "I'm Billy Wolf, owner of Wolf's Garage," I say firmly. "Claire's boyfriend."
The air thickens with tension as Richard's face turns an alarming shade of red. "Over my dead body," he snarls, taking a step closer to me. His fists clench at his sides, betraying the rage boiling beneath his carefully maintained exterior.
"Mr. Hutchison," an elderly woman says, stepping forward with a determined expression. "I think it's time for you to leave." Murmurs of agreement rise from the crowd, and soon everyone is demanding Richard's departure.
"Fine," Richard spits, glaring daggers at me before turning to address his daughter. "This isn't the end of this, Claire. I didn't spend all that money on your education for you to be ungrateful and throw your life away on poor people and a greasy mechanic." With that, he storms out of the soup kitchen, the door slamming shut behind him.
Claire's eyes fill with tears, but she swipes them away quickly, not wanting to show any more vulnerability in front of the patrons. She looks up at me, her green eyes shimmering with gratitude and something more, something that sends a shiver down my spine and ignites a fire in my chest.
"Thank you," she whispers, her words wrapping around me like a warm embrace.
"Always," I reply, my voice raw with emotion. I pull her into my arms, feeling the weight of her father's disapproval but knowing that what we have is stronger than any obstacle. We are connected by our shared passion for helping others and by the love that has blossomed between us—a love that will not be easily extinguished.
I'll be damned if I let anyone take her away from me.
Even if that someone is her father.
CHAPTER5
Claire
The warm sunbathes my face as I sit on the porch, lost in thought. My heart is heavy with the weight of torn affections—between Billy, the man who's shown me a world of love and understanding, and my father, the man who raised me. Despite his snobbish tendencies, he has been a good father to me, always wanting what he thinks is best.
"Hey, beautiful," Billy says softly, sitting down beside me. "You okay?"
I plaster a smile on my face, trying to act like everything's fine. "Yeah, I'm just...thinking."
