Chapter 0168

“You're ruining my life!” Daniel shouts, taking a fierce step into the room and slamming the door shut behind him before stalking

over to Kent’s desk. Kent doesn’t flinch, not an inch, instead taking a moment to study Daniel as he crosses the room. He hasn't

seen Daniel since last night after Fay left and Daniel is wearing the same clothes he was yesterday. He has dark circles under

his eyes and his hair, usually carefully styled, is mussed. If Kent had to bet on it, he’d say that Daniel also slept out last night —

and that he had been on a bit of a bender.

But with who? Daniel had never been one to drink alone.

“Am I really ruining your life?” Kent asks, his voice mild. “Or are you doing that all on your own?”

“She’s mine, dad,” Daniel growls, “she’s going to be my wife.”

“No, she’s not, Daniel,” Kent sighs, looking down at his desk and straightening his papers — not because they need straightening,

but because he knows it will piss Daniel off to be disregarded.

“She is!” Daniel cries, slamming his fist on the desk as Kent had done moments before, “she’s the only thing I’ve ever wanted!

The only person I’ve ever liked! And you’re taking her away from me — and letting fucking Ivan mess with her, on top of whatever

you're doing -*

“Really?” Kent snaps, moving his gaze quickly to his son’s eyes again, allowing the anger within him to reignite. “Because if she

was so important to you, Daniel, then where were you last night? Because you certainly weren’t here.” Kent takes a minute to

look at his son’s clothing again, letting Daniel see him do it this time. “And wherever you were, it certainly doesn’t look like you

were being faithful to Fay.”

When Kent moves his eyes back to Daniel’s face he’s surprised by the rage he sees there. He had expected shame,

embarrassment, but this —

“You're going to ruin her life, dad,” Daniel growls, leaning over the desk to bring his face closer to Kent’s so that he can see that

his son means every word. “And if you do that, I’m going to ruin yours.”

Kent leans slowly across the desk, meeting Daniel’s fury with his own deliberately cool gaze. He opens his mouth, then,

intending to say “try me,” but he’s honestly surprised when another set of words leave his lips.

“You lost her, Daniel,” Kent whispers, his eyes narrowing at his son. “And I’m not giving her back. Go find another beard to

pretend to be your wife. Fay is mine.”

Daniel stands up stock straight at these words, paling a little, and Kent suddenly realizes what he said. The knowledge he just

confessed to knowing, without...without meaning to do it -

Daniel backs away from the desk, staring at his dad, fear stark on his face. Kent merely straightens, watching him go, not letting

Daniel see that he messed up. Inside, there’s an impulse to reach out a hand to his son — to apologize, to tell him that he’s

doesn’t actually care —

But in reality, Kent knows that this was, in some ways, an act of war between him and Daniel. To be...different, in a family like

this, was in some situations a death sentence. And Kent has no intention of punishing Daniel, or making him change, or ever

letting anyone else hurt him for who he is —

But in a situation like this, revealing his knowledge as he just did as a way to intimidate and get him to back off? It was every inch

a threat.

And Daniel knows it too. He backs towards the door, holding his father’s gaze, shaking his head a little bit. Kent’s stomach turns

as he watches his son twist the knob, leaving the room and closing the door behind him without another word.

It will be fine, Kent tells himself. We've spent too long with that ‘secret’ between us anyway. It’s better to have it out in the open,

at least between us.

But a deeper part of him wonders if

he’s just crossed a line je canto!

ee ssi ae ri@NSener s trust for

aiem meaning to do it. All in

pursuit of Fay. Please read the

original content at .

Kent raises a hand to his face,

covering his eyes, eee So

words in hi s mig aheen

RaW he left as room. This

girl will be the death of me. Please

read the original content at

.

He didn’t...he didn’t fuck up like this before she had come around. He had been in complete control.

But there’s no time to dwell on the

thought. A knock comes im CN@tely

at the door beforenent san ‘indulge in

thd dsti nt any further, or come up

with a solution on how to approach

Daniel next. Please read the original

content at .

“Come in,” Kent calls, dropping his hand, his voice returned to its steady timbre.

The door swings open and Marco and Gianni come in.

“Good,” Kent says with a nod, gesturing towards the two chairs across from his desk. “We have work to do. We need more intel —

much more.”