Page 245 of Unexpected Heroine

No more dishonesty. I’m done.

“You want to lie to everyone? Go right ahead. But I’m done with all your bullshit.” I jab him in the chest with my pointer finger. “He’s my father, not yours, and it’s time someone tells him.”

Gasps reverberate around me. Guess Amber got some of that hot gossip she wanted. Bet she didn’t see that coming.

This time, nothing stops me from sailing past Tomer. “Move aside!”

I throw open the door before he can stop me. Two large steps into the room, and I freeze, my feet faltering.

Gulp.

This may have been a big mistake. Oh boy. A big, big, fat one.

This isn’t his office. It’s a giant conference room.

And it’s full of people.

With shaky eyes and shakier breath, I study the room for all of two seconds. Too late to turn back now.

I lock my vision on my target. He stares back at me, looking like he’s seen a ghost. Rigid posture, disheveled appearance, and a fog of questions surrounding him. I suspect he heard what I yelled in the hallway. Likely, he’s already processing the news. Let’s hope he reacts better than I did.

“Alan Lancaster?” I ask, confirming what I already know.

Rolling my shoulders back, I lift my chin and walk up to him like I have a right to be here. Coming to a stop a foot in front of him, I confidently extend my hand. “My name is Violet Holt. I go by Lettie. I’m your daughter.”

Time stands still.

My heart beats so vigorously it’s practically audible, and the pounding force makes me sway.

Yet I don’t close my eyes or lower my hand. If he’s gonna reject me, he’ll have to do it in front of all these people.

His gaze lowers to my offered hand. With deliberate slowness, he finally takes it, wrapping his large, calloused hands over my small, fragile ones.

It’s happening. I’m shaking hands with my father.

Despite him being larger and decidedly stronger, I’m the one holding our joined hands up.

He might not believe what I’ve said. He might be too shocked to formulate thoughts or words. Or a million other possibilities. And I have no idea where all this is going to lead me. Or lead us.

It’s terrifying and exhilarating.

Best of all, whatever happens will occur because I decided.

From somewhere toward the center of the room, a British male voice sings, “Congratulations. It’s a girl!”

Chuckles and guffaws erupt around the room as the tension plummets.

None from my father, though. He keeps a soft hold on my hand, analyzing me intently. When I look back into his eyes, I see it.

The similarity. The same hue and shape.

Viktor was right. I have his eyes.

That single thought gives my nervous belly all the acid it needs to overpower my ability to hold breakfast down.

As you’d expect from Calamity Lettie, I end the moment in the perfect fashion. Running from the room, I cup my mouth until I get to a trash can near poor Peggy’s desk. I fall to my knees and empty the contents of my stomach.

This is the perfect impression to make on my father and the hoard of staff in his meeting.

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