Page 72 of Endurance
“Yes, young, social, carefree.”
Wild, unpredictable, embarrassing.
My jaw tightens “Thank you.” As halfcocked as his compliment may be, I can’t remember a time when my father has ever told me “well done.”
“Listen, darling. I know we haven’t always seen eye-to-eye. And I know you chose a different path for your life, but it was good to know that when the time came, you could do what was right for the family.”
I shake my head even though he can’t see me. “I’ve always wanted what’s right for the family, Father. I just couldn’t deliver it the way you wanted me to and our relationship suffered for it.”
“Yes, well, you resisted generations of tradition, Belle. Arguably, we were going to be upset when you walked away.”
“I walked away to become a doctor.A doctor.I’m not scrubbing bedpans. Although, if I were, you should be proud of that, too, because it’s an honest living and I’m your daughter.”
“We had a plan,” he barks. “Becoming a lawyer was all laid out for you. You and your brother were to take over my practice so I could focus on rising to the Supreme Court. The money was there. The status. The connections. You can’t have achieved half of that all on your own inmedicine.”
His voice is laced with disdain.
“I save babies, Father! I’m a surgical fellow for a world-renowned high-risk foetal surgeon. I operate inside expecting mothers’ uteruses. Who cares about money!”
“Only people who have money say such things. And you, my darling, have money. It may not be in paper form in your pocket, but that bohemian flat you live in is paid for. Your car. My profession and connections provided those luxuries you take for granted every day.”
“I’d give up those simple luxuries if it meant you’d respect what I’m doing!” I exclaim, a knot forming in my throat.
“Don’t get emotional,” he scoffs. “I called for a reason. There will be an important man at the match tonight whom I need you to say hello to.”
“Who?”
“Do you recall Lord Sanbury? He and his wife had a daughter about your age.”
“Juliet Sanbury?”
“Yes, well, her father has a rather large investment in the Bethnal Green football club, so I need you to say hello. If you could bring that Harris boy with you, even better.”
“Why do I need to say hello?”
He sighs heavily, most likely because I had the nerve to ask questions instead of simply following orders. “Because a vacancy arose on the Supreme Court two months ago and Lord Sanbury is on the selection committee. The vote is next week, and a good, polite visit from you and that boy might be just what I need to secure his vote.”
I smile and shake my head. “So this is what you get out of this.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ve been wondering this entire time what could possibly motivate you to push me into the arms of a footballer.” I laugh as realisation dawns on me. “You said you didn’t want me to be perceived as a common whore, but what you fail to recognise, Father, is that you pimped me out like a whore for your own selfish gain.”
“I never—”
“You did!” I shout, boiling over with anger. “And I won’t go talk to your Lord Sausage boujie friend. And I won’t put on a show for you any longer. Because, guess what, Father? I’m not faking it with Tanner anymore. We’re in a relationship now and making a proper go of it.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. That boy can’t possibly intend to keep it in his pants for you. He’s a footballer, Belle. He can have any woman he wants. A different girl every night if he’d like, which from the looks of it, he does. If you think you have a chance with this man, you’re dumber than I thought.”
His words pierce right through me. They make little slits in my soul and shed light on the scary parts of my heart that I’m constantly trying to hide.
“Well, thankfully, I’m not your problem.”
I hang up on him and inhale quickly, emotion bubbling deep inside of me.
I can’t let his words hurt me. I can’t give them life. Giving them life means letting him win, and I’m stronger than that. Tanner does care for me. He won’t cheat on me. He knows I’ll fucking kill him if he does.We can make this work.
I set my jaw and raise my shoulders, striding into the shop with a newfound strength that I almost believe.
