AllFreeNovel
Share Us
For all my father’s lies, this last declaration is likely true.
The Ballerini brothers have always been and always will be a united front. Uncle Josh brings me baked goods, listens to my stories and encourages my dreams only because I’m his brother’s daughter. But Josh never does a thing without looking to Stuart for approval. We had that in common until very recently.
He’ll be unhappy about this rift for sure. But when the dust settles he’ll still be standing with his big brother.
While I’ll be standing on the other side.
Though I’m furious, the idea is still a desolate one.
I feel my chin trembling. The wave of emotion threatening to engulf me is horrible. It’s also necessary. It’s been building for a very long time.
“Self-control, Tess. Self-control.”
Fuck you.
Fuck you.
FUCK YOU!
Bending down, I pick up a fallen book that’s splayed open on the floor, an antique copy ofThe Velveteen Rabbit.It belonged to my mother, one of the few possessions I have from her. The cover is scuffed, the spine cracked. I hug the book to my chest.
“Was I always just a servant to you? Tell me, Dad.”
The question should devastate him. Yet he simply scoffs and rocks back on his heels, refusing to answer.
His silenceisthe answer.
An unexpected shadow materializes in the hallway to my right. I nearly scream before I recognize him.
Gage Silvestro has arrived, summoned by Dani. He didn’t come through the front door. Honestly, I have no idea how he got in. But he’s Gage. He has his ways.
He stands just ten feet away but a wall blocks him from my father’s view. I’m the only one who can see him.
Gage stares at me and it’s the first time I can recall seeing compassion in his arctic grey eyes. Or at least compassion that’s directed my way.
Heartless.Growing up, that’s what everyone thought of him, me included. He’s far from that. Otherwise Dani would never have fallen for him.
Gage watches me in silence like he’s waiting for permission to act. I don’t know what he would do. He doesn’t have Micah’s impulsivity but he’s not a man who retreats.
“It’s time to wrap this up,” says the mayor of Emerald City. “You’re no longer part of my life.”
My head snaps back to face my father. “What the hell does that mean? You can’t exactly fire me from being your daughter.”
“You’re not fired, Tess. You’re justfinished.”
A beat of stunned silence follows as I try to absorb his last statement. And a terrible suspicion is born.
“What did you tell them at the Green Mansion?”
He shrugs. “The truth.”
“Sounds ominous, coming from you.”
He narrows his eyes and takes two steps in my direction.
Gage tenses, ready to intervene.
But my father doesn’t raise a hand. He just gazes at me without a shred of love, which is even worse. “You’ve become addicted to prescription painkillers, Tess. I’ve begged you to get help but you refuse. And now, sadly, a reporter has uncovered evidence that you’ve used your position of trust on my team to steal campaign funds.”
