Page 45 of Finally Found You

If she wants to play dirty, I’ll show her how dirty I can be. After all, I’ve watched a woman destroy an entire family for her own gain. I can do the same to keep my daughter safe.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Camilla

A knot of unease twists in my stomach, but I remind myself that Kenzy isn’t my child, and I have no jurisdiction over this exchange. She has the right to see her mother, and Lysander knows what’s best for his daughter. I swallow the bitter taste of helplessness and stand nearby, ready to step in if she needs me.

“Why is she here?” Elsie narrows her eyes at me, her tone venomous.

“Stick to what we discussed,” Lysander says with practiced calm, but there’s an edge of anger hiding in his tone.

“She’s a bad influence on my daughter,” Elsie snaps, her smirk dripping with malice. “Are you trying to see if you can have your own daddy?”

The way she says the word, it sounds dirty and wrong. It takes a lot of my control not to snap at her—or leave the room.

Elsie clucks her tongue, looking me up and down. “Obviously you have daddy issues.” She turns her gaze toward Kenzy, her expression darkening. “Be careful. She might want to steal your father.”

“Elsie,” Lysander warns, his patience wearing thin.

With a huff, she plasters a saccharine smile on her face and pulls Kenzy into a tight embrace. “You’re so tall and beautiful, Kenzington.”

I cringe at the name she calls her, but I don’t say a word. I’m just here to… why am I even here? I should leave, but I don’t because I fear this woman might try to hurt Kenzy before she disappears from her life.

“Are you coming to stay with us, too?” Kenzy asks, her hopeful gaze tugging at my heartstrings.

Lysander clears his throat, his glare piercing Elsie like a knife.

“My life is too hectic,” Elsie says, rubbing her eyes as if she’s clearing some tears. She’s a good actress. I will give her that. “Though I would love to stay as part of your life, I can’t.”

“But maybe we could try being a family. Unless… Are you married?” Kenzy questions.

“No, I don’t have a family. You’re the only person who owns my heart,” she purrs, spewing lies as easily as breathing. “But I’m not fit to be a mother. I mean… it’s a family trait. Look at Camilla’s mother. She killed herself after giving birth to her little bastard.”

“Elsie,” Lysander growls, the muscles in his jaw clenched, his anger simmering just below the surface.

“Right. All I wanted was to hug you and tell you how much I love you. But it’ll be best if you stay with your father. He has money, and I can’t support you.”

“Maybe Dad can give you a job like he did with Camilla,” Kenzy suggests, her innocence shining through.

“Huh. You gave her a job?” Elsie narrows her gaze. “She’s really trying to take away your daddy, isn’t she?”

Lysander looks at Finnegan Gil, who’s been observing patiently from the entrance. “You can take her away. We’re done here.”

“I’m not,” Elsie refuses. “I need more time with my daughter.”

“You pushed too far, and if you say one more thing, you might end up wearing an orange jumper,” he warns, his smile deceptively inviting.

“Fine, let me hug my daughter for the last time,” Elsie concedes with false sincerity. She draws Kenzy into a suffocating embrace that seems to last an eternity. When it finally ends, Kenzy’s tears are streaming down her cheeks.

I rush to her side, wrapping her in a warm, comforting hug. She stiffens, but I don’t dwell on it. As I said when Lysander mentioned it, this encounter was a terrible idea. I swear if he doesn’t get Kenzy a therapist soon, I will.

Once Elsie and Finn are gone, Lysander gently takes Kenzy from me, holding her close. I excuse myself to take a shower. This day has been too long. It’s going to take more than a night to unravel the tangled web of my emotions and assess the damage Elsie has inflicted. I’ll have to confront that next week, though.

* * *

After my shower, I notice Lysander and Kenzy are nowhere to be found in the penthouse. I make myself a sandwich and head to the rooftop. It’s becoming one of my favorite places in the entire world. It’s like a sanctuary in the middle of a busy city. There’s something about it that’s inviting, and the small fridge next to the outdoor kitchen never fails to offer a bottle of wine when I need it.

A bottle—or two—of cabernet will help me unwind. Anxiety is creeping in, threatening to overtake my thoughts and my body. I refuse to let it win. Elsie has no power over me. I can only hope this is the last time Kenzy has to deal with her. Lysander must keep that woman away from his daughter. Or perhaps it’s just my own projection, a reaction to Elsie’s cruel treatment earlier today.

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