Page 71 of The Marriage Auction 2: Part 4

“Yes, and see our beautiful girl marry the man she’s chosen.”

“A good man. A man that loves me. A man who supports my success. The best man I have ever known.” I drove the knife deeper into his ego, wanting him to realize the position Memphis truly has in my life. “I’m no longer daddy’s girl who does and says what you want. I played that role for far too long. I am my own person. I am Naomi Shaw, soon to be Naomi Taylor. And if you have any chance of being in my life in any way, shape, or form, you need to accept that, right here, right now. No more discussion about marrying Malik or anyone else for that matter.No demeaning the man I love or his family for not being as wealthy as you.”

“I understand,” my father answered.

“If you mean that, you will apologize to the Taylors for the pain and suffering you caused them. You will also apologize to Memphis for being so incredibly rude to him and his kin.”

My father’s jaw tightened, a muscle ticking in his cheek with the effort to keep his mouth shut.

“Last, but certainly not least, I will not be working for you.”

He tried once more; I don’t think he could help himself. “You would excel at my company. Take it all and make it your own one day.”

I slashed the air with my hand in a brutal manner. “I willnotwork for you. I will not be forced into a life I don’t want. I’m happy. My company is extremely successful. Be proud of that. Train Malik to be your second. He wants the job more than anyone. He worships you. The only reason he even dated me was to get close to you. Make him the son you never had. I don’t care. I want what I have right now. I’m happy with what I’ve created all by myself.”

“I am a man that can admit when he is wrong. And you have done well. Your company is top notch, and the profit margins are extremely high. I am impressed. It may not be at the level of my own company…”

“Yet!” I smirked. “I’m still young, old man. I’ve got lots of time and support at my back.”

He grinned fully, a genuine smile I hadn’t seen in too long. “That attitude will get you far.”

“I learned it from my dad.”

He closed his eyes, his body vibrating at the praise.

“I am deeply sorry, Naomi,” he stated as he shook his head.

Mom took his hand. “We both are.”

“Can you forgive me?” He glanced at my mother then back to me. “Forgive us, for being so short sighted and controlling.”

“And rude, revengeful, demanding, ruthless…I could go on and on.”

“Yes. Can you forgive us for all of those things and let us back into your life?” The question was a plea.

“We’ll do anything honey.” Mom added.

I sat for a full minute, staring them both down, watching them squirm. The fact that they were both here, practically groveling, was an absolute first. Something I doubted I’d see again. But it also proved how much they truly loved me and finally understood how horrible they’d been.

“You can come to the wedding tomorrow. It starts at noon,” I announced.

“Can I come help you get ready?” Mom pleaded, her pretty brown eyes filled with shimmery tears.

I nodded, my nose stinging at the emotion filling the room.

“Can I walk you down the aisle?” my father asked, his heart in his throat.

“Depends on how your apology goes with Memphis and his family. I suggest you arrive a bit early so that you can have a chat with them. Knowing how kind they are, I’m sure they’ll welcome you with open arms. But I’ll never allow you or anyone else to look down upon them. They are good people, and they deserve better.”

“I will do whatever it takes to earn their favor and respect,” my father said.

I stood up. “Then I’ll see you tomorrow at the wedding.” My voice shook as reality sunk in. My bottom lip trembled while Mom got up and came around the table to pull me into her arms.

“I love you, honey. So, so much. Thank you. Thank you for hearing us out and being so forgiving. We won’t let you down.” She held me tight, and I held on right back.

“It’s time we let her rest. She has a quite the day tomorrow,” Dad instructed.

Mom nodded and then let me go. She swiped at the tears that were falling down her cheeks, but the smile on her face was true beauty. I hadn’t seen a genuine smile from her in a while. She moved to the side, and I stared at my father, the first man I’d ever loved, standing before me looking wounded and uncertain.

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