Page 21 of Daddy's Christmas Obsession
Chapter six
Victor
The morning sun casts shadows across the snow-covered valley as I watch Kyra sleep through my tablet. The storm has cleared overnight, leaving pristine white stretching to the horizon. She's curled on her side, honey-blonde hair spilling across the pillowcase, one hand tucked beneath her cheek.
The backup camera in the antique clock on her nightstand gives me a clear view despite her covering the primary camera yesterday. Her small rebellion in draping a towel over the obvious lens almost made me smile. Smart enough to find one camera, not suspicious enough to look for more.
She's mine now. Isolated, cut off from everyone except me. I trace the rose tattoo on my hand, remembering the night I claimed her in ink three years ago.
My coffee cools as I study her sleeping face. The way her lips part slightly as she dreams. The rise and fall of her chest beneath the silk nightgown I selected. The trust in her vulnerability, even if she doesn't understand what it means yet.
The tablet chimes with a message from Patrick:University funding terminated. Professor's position eliminated. All backup academic options neutralized.
Perfect. Another door closing in Kyra's life. By the time she wakes, her academic future will be in ruins, making my solutions appear miraculous.
I move to the kitchen, timing each step of the morning routine precisely. Coffee brewing when she wakes, breakfast nearly ready when she appears downstairs. Every detail calculated to make her feel cared for without seeming eager.
The bacon sizzles as my phone buzzes with another update from Dr. Peterson:Subject's lab partner hospitalized with food poisoning. Incapacitated for minimum one week.
I flip the bacon, satisfied. The lab partner was one of the few people Kyra might have called for help. Now that option is gone, leaving her more dependent on me.
My phone vibrates against the counter. When I see the screen, tension locks my spine.
Aaron calling
I consider letting it go to voicemail but answer instead. "What is it?"
"Dad, please, I need to talk to Kyra." His voice sounds desperate. "I can't do this anymore. I've been calling her for hours."
Exactly what I didn't need. "She's resting, Aaron. After what you did—what I made you do—she needs time."
"That's what I'm saying! I never wanted to break up with her. You forced me to say those things." Words tumble out, heavy with emotion. "The threats you made... I was terrified. But I can't live with what I've done to her."
I turn down the heat, fury building. Aaron's rebellion threatens everything. "You made your choice," I say, my voicedropping. "You chose your comfortable life over her. Too late to grow a spine now."
"I love her, Dad. I never stopped." His voice hardens with unfamiliar determination. "If you don't let me talk to her, I'll come to the cabin. I'll tell her everything—how you threatened me, how you orchestrated all of this."
Worse than anticipated. Not just regret, but defiance.
"Listen carefully," I say, stepping onto the porch where Kyra won't hear. "If you come near this cabin, if you contact her, I will follow through on every threat I made. Every one."
"You can't control her forever," he says, fear creeping back into his voice.
"I don't need forever. Just now." I let menace saturate my tone. "You had your chance and gave her up because you were weak. That was your choice. Live with it."
"Dad, please—"
"No. Here's what happens now. You stop calling her. You give her space to heal from what you did. And you remember what happens to people who cross me."
Silence stretches between us. "You'll hurt her too," he finally says, his voice small. "You'll destroy her like you destroy everything."
His words mean nothing to a man like me. "You've never understood, Aaron. Not destruction. Transformation. Stay away from her, or there will be consequences."
"Fine," he concedes, defeated. "Just... don't hurt her."
"That was never my intention," I reply, though we both know I've already hurt her by orchestrating this separation. "I have another call. Business emergency."
I end the call and lean against the railing, unexpected doubt creeping in. What if Aaron follows through? What if she still has feelings for him despite everything?
