Page 171 of Tall, Royal Hater
“You heard what he said,” I growled.
“I know. And he was a disgusting son of a bitch who has no clue what he’s talking about.” She threw a hand out and lowered her voice. “But do you think hitting him helped the situation?”
“Was I supposed to stand there just listening to him insult my mum? Insultyou?”
“No.” She jabbed a finger into my sternum. “But beating him bloody wasn’t the answer either.”
“Shehryar!”
“Shehryar, please wait.”
My blood rumbled in my veins as Andrew Platmon walked quickly towards us with Ablah on his tail. I wanted nothing to do with him right now oreveragain.
“We’re leaving.” I reached for her other wrist, but she tore it away and behind her.
She glared fiercely. “No, we’re not, Shehryar.”
Andrew Platmon and Ablah were on us a second later.
“Shehryar, I’m so sorry,” Ablah said, her eyes bloodshot and teary.
Our fucking father, on the other hand, frowned, shaking his head. “You shouldn’t have done that.”
I snarled a laugh through my teeth. “Of course, you’re going to defend your own son even after you heard what he said.”
His eyes flashed. “Youare my son too.”
“No, I’m not,” I growled. “You didn’t treat me like a son then when your wife threw money in my face, and you certainly don’t get to call me your son now when you stood by and watched him insult me, Mother, and Mariyah in front of everyone.”
“Shehr—” Ablah started, but Andrew Platmon silenced her with a hand.
“I did not know Johnny was going to cause trouble like that,” he said.
“Yes, you did. But you just chose to ignore the signs like you did then. Like you did with Mum.” I shook my head. “I don’t know why I thought there was a slim chance that you had genuinely changed even the slightest bit, but you’re still the same manipulative bastard you always were.”
“Shehryar,” Mariyah snapped.
“Tell me,” I continued. “Is what Johnny said true? Were you planning to give me part of the Platmon empire?”
My father swallowed and angled his chin higher. “Yes, I was. But it’s not—”
“For what?” I roared. “Were you trying to buy my forgiveness? Or your way back into my life? Did you really think that would have worked? That I’d want your dirty money?” I got up in his face as I hissed, “Did you think I wouldn’t burn everything down to the ground just to watch you suffer?”
“That’s enough!”
I was shoved back as Mariyah situated herself between us, glaring and puffing through her nose. “You need to calm the fuck down, Shehryar. You’re taking this out of proportion now, and instead of being angry at Johnny, you’re taking it out on your dad instead.”
I shook my head. “No, my anger has always been directed at him.”
“Well, direct it at Johnny, because it wasn’t your dad’s fault.”
I stared at her in disbelief. “You’re taking his side?” A bitter realisation hit me, and I smirked. “Ah. Is this money taking the side of more money? Is that why you’re defending him?”
Rage darkened her bright blue eyes. “Don’t youfuckingdare make this about me, Shehryar,” she growled. “You’re so stuck in your head that money is the root of all evil that you can’t even see it’s about the person, and right now, you’re lashing out at the wrong people. But you just can’t look past your prejudice, can you?”
“Don’t pretend you weren’t lashing out at nearly everyone in there for what they were saying. You faced their prejudice just as much as I did, yet you’re telling me that I’m in the wrong for being wary in the first place?”
“Be wary of them then.” She jabbed a finger behind her to Ablah and my father. “Not them.”
