Page 195 of Hateful Games

Hurting Mihir, annihilating his legacy, will not only hurt him but it will wreck Rosalie’s mother’s life too. For that, Rosalie will never forgive me. It won’t matter to her if I told her the truth.

The whole truth.

The sordid tale that tainted my childhood.

So, I have two choices. Either I let go of my past and take a chance on my future with Rosalie or I become the villain she believes I am.

Fate, who has never been my ally, chooses this moment to collide my gaze with Mihir. I see him cutting through the crowd and approaching us with Lily, Rosa’s mom, on his arm. He nods at his fellow acquaintances without slowing his purposeful gait.

His gaze skirts to Rosalie and narrows into slits with disgust upon noticing her outfit.

I immediately want to gouge his eyes out and crush them under my shoe.

Rosalie visibly tenses and I hold her tighter in my arms and kiss her forehead in comfort. Tilting her head, I rasp, “You look gorgeous, Rose. No other women in this room compares. Don’t let him make you feel otherwise. He’s a stupid old man.”

Confidence flares in her dark orbs while a mischievous smile tips her lips. “Thank you.”

“Just the truth, sweetheart.”

Mihir, finally beside us, clears his throat. A sly smile etches across his ugly face as he greets, “Son.”

I barely hold back my retch. Then my fist when he disregards his daughter. His wife, on the other hand, gives us a loving smile.

“How are my kids? You both look so happy and beautiful together.” Her tone is bright. Taking Rosalie’s hand, she pulls her into a long hug and kisses her on both cheeks. “I missed you so much, Rosa.”

“I missed you too, Ma,” Rosalie whispers, her voice thick with emotion. “How have you been?”

“Same old, baby girl. Traveling and charities.” Switching to me, Lily rubs my arm affectionately. “I hope you’re keeping my daughter pleased, Nova.”

“Ma!” Rosa gasps.

“No, do tell, Rose.” I smirk, tugging her back to my side. “Am I pleasing you enough?”

She digs her pointy heels into my foot in retaliation while giving a saccharine smile to her mother, “I’m happy, Ma. Don’t worry. His parents have been treating me like family.”

“As they should,” coldly says her father while giving me a challenging look.

Lily tenses at the edge in her husband’s voice, giving an awkward smile. “Of course they are. We adore your parents, Nova.”

“My in-laws have been nothing but kind,” Rosa proudly admits, while looking straight into her father’s hard eyes. “I’ve been to their house for dinner while his mom visits me often. In fact, his dad has suggested that I continue my studies.”

“What purpose will that serve?” huffs her father in a condescending tone. “Hasn’t your mother taught you all about running a charity?”

“I was thinking more toward a job. Perhaps start my own business.”

“What for? Is Nova not providing you with enough money?”

I’m about to intervene at his sexist remark, my blood boiling. Men like him shouldn’t exist in this day and age. Before I can give him my two cents, Rosalie intertwines our hands and squeezes to stop me.

“It’s not uncommon for a woman to have financial independency. Just because Nova takes care of me doesn’t mean I shouldn’t do something of my own.”

“Are you going to allow this?” Mihir demands angrily, unsatisfied by her answer. Downright offended, actually.

I don’t let Rosalie stop me as I invade his personal space. Satisfaction hums through my veins when he has to arch his neck to maintain our eye contact. “My wife doesn’t need my permission for anything. If she desires to not work for the rest of her life, I will take care and support her, and if she does want to have a career of her own, I will still support her. It’s her choice.”

“Let’s all calm down, please,” whispers Lily, trying to diffuse the sudden hostility.

I make no move. Until Rosalie’s perfume wafts to me and I feel her palm wrap around my balled fist, soothing the roaring rage inside my head. I hear her call out my name and only then do I calm down, stepping back.

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