Page 175 of The One
The fury burning inside me turns ice cold. My whole body tenses, but I refuse to let him see how deeply his words cut.
I’m done with this. Done withhim.
A bitter laugh rises in my throat, but I swallow it down.
“I’m going to marry Mateo. I’m living with him now. You don’t get to control my life anymore.”
His hand is around my throat before I can blink.
“Watch it, daughter.” His voice drops, low and menacing, like a blade pressed against my pulse.
Fear surges, my heartbeat hammering against his grip. My instincts scream at me to shrink, to submit.
But I don’t.
Not this time.
I meet his eyes, refusing to look away, refusing to let him see the fear slithering through my veins.
His grip tightens, just for a second, then he exhales sharply through his nose and lets go. A shift, a decision.
“Just because you wrapped Mateo around your little finger doesn’t mean he can protect you from me. The fact that he was so easily manipulated byyouonly proves how weak he is, how unfit to rule without his brother around.”
He adjusts his cufflinks, smoothing down his suit jacket like he’s already dismissed the conversation. Like I’m dismissed.
“But perhaps this isn’t so bad after all.”
A pause. My stomach twists, bile rising in my throat.
“If you had to throw yourself at someone, you could’ve picked worse. Through you, he’ll be easy to control.”
I go rigid.
No.
I always knew he didn’t respect Mateo. But this? Seeing him as nothing more than an imbecile to manipulate?
His lips press into a thin line. “Just make sure you keep your legs together until after the wedding. And for your sake, let’s hope he keeps finding you useful.”
My pulse pounds in my ears. I lift my chin, steel forcing its way into my spine.
“I won’t be part of your schemes,” I grind out, my voice steady despite the storm inside me.
But he’s already turning away, the conversation over in his mind.
“You will do as I tell you. You owe me that much.”
Owe him?
For what?
For giving me life? For controlling it? Twisting it? Making me into nothing more than a pawn on his game board?
My hands tremble at my sides, rage clawing up my throat, sharp and acidic. But I don’t get to answer.
Without a backward glance, my father strides out of the women’s restroom.
My breath shudders, my whole body betraying me, shaking from the inside out.
