Page 2 of Obsession

What made you choose him?

Ella wondered if Susie could read her expression as she gracefully tackled the final step.

“So, this is my dad?” She took the bull by the horns, her gaze sliding from one parent to the other as she absorbed the awkward atmosphere.

Susie had demanded Alexander’s attendance in Ella’s life—a fact she’d supported if it allowed her an even greater allowance—but neither she nor her mother looked pleased by the outcome.

“Yes, Ella.” Susie sighed wearily. “This is your father, Alexander.”

“Ella.” His lips twitched as though he was trying the name for size. “Good to meet you.” He thrust his palm in her direction as though she was a business acquaintance.

“Right.” She eyed his hand warily, wanting to snort at his lackluster introduction. “Nice of you to finally acknowledge me.”

“Yeah.” Withdrawing his offer of a handshake, he glanced sheepishly at Susie. “I didn’t realize I had a daughter until recently.”

“That’s bull,” Susie scoffed. “You knew I was pregnant more than fifteen years ago.”

“I wasn’t the only one you dated, Susie.” Alexander’s tone was wry.

“Dated?” She laughed, the sound hollow. “Is that what you called the way you treated me?”

“As I recall, you did very well out of it.” His attention rose to the high ceilings of their home. “Very well, indeed.”

“You didn’t pay for any of this.” Susie’s chin rose as she took a step toward him.

“I realize,” he replied, meeting her glare. “I guess you bled some other poor smuck dry instead, huh?”

“Classy.” Ella rolled her eyes. If bickering and sniping were what having two parents in her life was like, then maybe she and Susie had made a miscalculation by inviting Alexander into theirs. “Why have you come, Alexander?”

“You can call me Dad.” He offered what she guessed was designed to be a reassuring smile as he turned her way, but all she could see was a middle-aged man with a burgeoning waistline who was obviously out of his depth.

“I’m all right with Alexander for now, thanks, and you didn’t answer my question.”

“Well.” He blew out a breath. “Since your mother hit me with a bill for child maintenance, I thought I’d like to meet you.” His gaze narrowed as it darted to Susie.

“Well, here I am.” Ella waved her arms around. “Disappointed?”

“Of course not.” Alexander’s face said otherwise. No doubt he’d have preferred a son to chase skirt with or no child at all. “I’d just like to get to know you. Shall we go out for a drink?”

“Alexander, she’s a child…” Susie’s voice oozed disdain.

“I meant a coffee,” he hissed back in her mother’s direction before his focus returned to Ella. “It’s your birthday coming up, isn’t it? You can advise me on the appropriate gift.”

“Sure.” Shaking her head, Ella agreed just to put some space between the two alleged adults.

Thank God I didn’t grow up living with them.

“We have coffee here.” Susie gestured toward the kitchen.

“It’s fine.” Reaching for her mum, Ella squeezed Susie’s hand. “I’ll be fine.”

“Okay.” Susie managed a smile. “Call me if you need me.”

“I will,” Ella reassured, her free hand grasping for her phone reflexively.

“It’s only coffee.” Alexander sighed. “I know a great little place not far from here. I’m not going to kidnap her!”

“You’d better not.” Susie’s stare drilled into him, the intensity of her loathing surprising even Ella.

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