Page 63 of Forbidden Desires

“What are you doing here hiding out? You need to get back there and do whatever it takes to get your man.”

“What about Dad? How do I get out of this audition?”

“That I don’t know.” Cassie taps her chin, thinking about it. “Your father has most of the company scared. Actually, most of this town. I would just run away.”

“You didn’t grow up with him,” I mutter. “If I could run away I would, but I know he’ll track me down.”

“I did grow up with someone like him. The only thing they respond to is you being strong and standing your ground. You’re an adult, Gigi. If you know what you want for your life, you have to go for it.”

“But I’m not strong like you. I don’t want to fight with him. It took everything I had to tell them I was leaving for a few months off. And even then, I was halfway across the country when he finally listened.”

“But you did it. And now you can do this as well. Be like Baby; stand up to your father so you can be with your man and have this life you’re now dreaming about.”

“Give me some of your fire, Cassie,” I beg her.

“I’m channeling it all your way, sweetie, but I know you don’t need it. You’re stronger than you think, and when you really want something, you will make it happen.”

I let out a deep sigh, feeling the burden on my shoulders. “I just hope it’s what Brody wants as well.” Either way, this life back here in New York isn’t for me. I need to say goodbye to my parents and leave this life behind me for good.

My father’s stern gaze bores into me, his face etched with icy determination. Two other performers are due to take the stage before me, and it’s taken me this long to track him down backstage. “I said, I’m not auditioning today,” I repeat myself. “Good luck with your new show. It will be amazing, I’m sure, but I won’t be in it.” I muster a smile toward him, attempting to fake the confidence I don’t have and channeling Cassie.

His eyes narrow in on me, the tension so intense I feel it in my chest. “You ungrateful little—” He sucks in a breath and glares at me, his fingers digging into my shoulder as he shoves me back into the heavy stage curtain. “You will audition today, and you will move back here when you land the part. I have put too much time and effort into your career for you to throw it away for a boy. You think I don’t know what you have been up to? That story was sent to me. Yes, I have friends everywhere, even in the bumfuck nowhere town you disappeared to. And I won’t stand for it. You will not be some asshole’s side piece. Your best years are now. In ten years, you will be too old for the leading roles, and you can do whatever you want with your life, but now you will do as you’re told.” His voice booms off the backstage walls. I glance over his shoulder, wondering if anyone else is aroundto hear this conversation. He’s furious, and it’s embarrassing enough I have let him control my life for so long. I don’t want any of the other girls auditioning to overhear our family drama.

For the first time in my life, I see red. His strong grip on me hurts, and my body trembles all over I’m so angry. How dare he talk to me like I’m still five. I shake my head, trying to formulate a sentence that makes sense. “No. I won’t stay here. And I won’t be auditioning for this show. You know nothing about Brody or our relationship. You, of all people, know the paper can embellish the truth for a story, but you should know me. I was unhappy here performing. It’s not what I want to do with my life. I’m happy in Deception Bay with or without a man.”

“If you walk away from all of this, so help me, Gisele, I will cut you off for good. You won’t see any part of your inheritance, and your mother and I will never talk to you again. No daughter of mine gets to disrespect me like this.” I hear the depth in his tone. He’s serious, and if that’s what he wants, then fine. I can't change his mind. But I can do what I want with my own life.

I pull back out of his grip. “Money’s not everything, Daddy, but I really would like to still have a relationship with you, so I hope you reconsider.” I turn away.

“If you don’t audition, I will take it that you’re no longer a part of my family. The choice is yours, Gisele. Make the right one.” He storms off through the backstage, leaving me a shaking mess, my insides feeling like they’re turning to liquid.

I always knew my father was a narcissist. I have seen the way he treats others around him, but I never thought he would turn on me. His own daughter. But that’s okay, I said my piece, and I’m glad I finally stood up to him. I know what I want from my life, and I’m going to go get it. Nothing is going to stand in my way.

I stand at the side of the stage, watching Sarah read her audition piece. She’s transcendent; this part should be hers, butI already know no matter how badly I do, it will be mine. And for the first time, I see it how my competition always did all these years. I am the lucky one; yes, I still had to work hard, but I wasn’t a new face, unknown like I was when I arrived in Deception Bay. I was the daughter of a star, and that’s the reason I got the parts. I know deep down in my soul it is. I wasn’t passionate about this industry like she is. This isn’t where I belong or where I want to be, and I shouldn’t be taking the roles from girls who truly value them.

“She’s incredible,” comes my mother’s voice from beside me.

“She is,” I agree.

“I talked to Cassie this morning,” she says softly.

I glance at my mother. “Oh yeah, what did she say?”

She smiles. “That you’re happy, you’re enjoying your job, that you’re in love.” She nods like she understands and she’s happy for me.

Her surprise leaves me stunned, causing me to stare back in shock. “I met a man, Brody,” I confess. “He’s someone really special, and I think there could be something real there,” I admit, not sure how to have this conversation with her. Boys were never a topic of conversation between us before I left. But it’s nice that’s she’s come to find me. I don’t want our relationship to be so strained.

Her pretty face lights up with a smile as she scans me from head to toe. She’s happy for me. “Why are you here, then? This isn’t what you want.”

I cast a weird glance at her. Is she feeling okay? She’s never gone against what my father wanted before. “You know how it is. Dad says jump, and we ask how high.” Or you face the consequences.

“For years I went along with all of this because I thought it’s what you wanted. It took your speech when you said you were leaving for me to realize it’s not. You were living out yourfather’s dreams for you, not your own,” she says sadly. I stare back at her, dumbfounded. “If you don’t audition, you can’t get the part. You’re enjoying your life in Georgia. Go back there and live it.” She takes my hands in hers. “I want you to be happy, my darling.” Her eyes well up; I know how hard it is for her to go against him.

I suck in a breath, not sure what to say. “But Dad…”

“I’ll deal with your father.” She smiles through her tears.

I wrap my arms around her and hug her. “Thank you, Mom. You don’t know what it means to me to have your blessing.”

---