Chapter 0011

Soon, there’s a knock at the door. “Off you go, my dear,” the woman says, giving me a little push in the

right direction.

I nod my thanks to her – I didn’t even get her name - as a guard comes to take me downstairs.

When we reaching the landing a floor below, he quietly opens the double doors of a sitting room.

I am the last to arrive.

“Fay,” Janeen gasps, and my head snaps directly to her. She’s seated on a plush couch, her clothing

torn and her face smeared with makeup.

I take a few steps towards her but Kent, standing by the fireplace, clears his throat. I hold myself back,

knowing I have a part to play.

I look between Janeen and my dad, seated next to her.

“Fay,” my dad gasps, taking in my gorgeous dress, my polished countenance. “Are you…”

“I’m fine.” I say, setting my shoulders back.

“Please,” my father says, turning his attention to Kent. “Let them go – take me – I’ll take whatever

punishment –“

“No,” Kent cuts in, not even looking at him, just staring at me. “You’re worthless to me.”

“David,” I say, internally cringing to use his real name. “I can’t forgive you for your betrayal.”

His mouth falls open.

Janeen, next to him, is baffled. “Fay, what are you talking about?”

I turn my attention to her. “Didn’t you hear? Dad’s been keeping me away from my real life. I’m the

daughter of a mob boss, someone who can give me everything I deserve. While we’ve been scraping

by, I could have had yachts, private planes, diamonds. Everything a girl wants.”

Everything in me shouts no! against this, but Kent’s gaze sits heavy on my shoulders. This, I know, is

the only way. I can only hope my lies convince them.

Janeen’s mouth falls open in shock and disgust.

"Please, Fay,” my dad says, devastated. “We can call the police! Fay — don't give in."

My heart breaks, but I have to do this.

I paint a sneer on my face. “I just want to go back to my real family. What’s it going to take to leave me

alone? Fifty grand? A hundred? Whatever you want, I’m sure it can be arranged.”

I suddenly realize that Daniel made me a similar offer only a few days ago. I know exactly the disgust

that my dad and Janeen must feel.

Janeen shakes her head at me. “Fay, this isn’t you.”

I turn on her and say the cruelest thing I can think of. “Why would I want to come live in that shack with

you, a stripper and a deadbeat,” I hiss. “When I could have all this?” I raise my arms to indicate

everything that Kent’s house represents.

Then, the nail in the coffin, I slowly cross the room and stand next to Kent. “By the way, have you met

my father-in-law?”

My family’s faces go pale.

“He’s Daniel’s father. Did I forget to mention that Daniel and I are engaged?”

Kent, emotionless, puts an arm around my shoulders, claiming me as part of his family now. “We’re

finished here,” he says.

My dad and my sister stand up. Hesitant, my dad takes a few steps towards me. No one stops him, so

he takes my face in his hands and then pulls me close in a hug that brings tears to my eyes.

“You’re my daughter,” he whispers in my ear. “Nothing will ever change that.”

He gives me one last look and heads for the door.

Janeen comes forward next. I raise my arms for a hug but she snaps her hand up, slapping me across

the face as hard as she can. I gasp.

“How dare you,” she growls. “That slap is not enough. But it’s the last thing I’ll ever give you.”

Then, pride written in the straight line of her back, she follows my father out.

As soon as the door closes behind them, I collapse at Kent’s feet, sobs wracking my body.

He stands patiently by me for a moment and then moves to the door.

“You did the right thing, Fay,” he says, before walking out.

But, alone in the room, I know I’ve lost everything that has ever mattered to me.