Page 355 of The Christmas Wife

"Of course, you’re my father." Her tone is impatient.

"And you know I want what’s good for you?"

She sits up straighter. "What is it? You’re scaring me. Is everything okay? Is it your health? Are you sick? Is that what this is about?"

His features take on a stricken look. "Nothing’s wrong with me, honey." He swallows. "I’m here because"—he looks at me, then back at her—"because…"

"If it’s not you—" She tilts her head. "Is everything okay back home?"

His features soften. "Only you’d be kindhearted enough to ask after your stepmom and sisters, even after the way they’ve treated you."

I lean forward, and before I can stop myself the words are out: "What do you mean? How did they treat her?"

"It’s nothing." She waves her hand in the air.

"I know I’ve never openly taken your side, and I apologize for that." His lips turn up in a sad smile before he raises his gaze to mine. "My wife was threatened by Mirabelle from the moment she saw her. And after the birth of our daughters, that sentiment only grew worse."

"Dad, stop," Belle bursts out.

"I’m telling the truth." He glances at her. "It’s not like I haven’t been aware of how the three of them have tried to make your life miserable over the years."

Every muscle in my body tightens.Why does it matter to me that she hasn’t had an easy life? Why do I feel this angry that someone upset her, that her own family distressed her?My stomach churns.Why do I feel her pain like it’s my own? If only I’d been able to prevent the emotional scars she carries from her growing years. If only I’d actually been there to help.I draw myself to my full height. "Your wife and your daughters were unfair to her, and you did nothing?"

The violence in my tone must be evident, for her father holds up his hands. "I accept the blame. I knew they weren’t being kind to her. I should have stepped in, but my head wasn’t in the right space."

"Of course it wasn’t. You’d lost a wife," she interrupts.

"You lost your mother,” he replies.

Belle begins to speak again, but he shakes his head. "I thought I was doing the right thing by getting married again. I hoped she would be a stabilizing influence in your life. I was too consumed by my grief to put things right. I hoped to make it up to you by finding the right match for you, but I've failed you again."

The skin across her knuckles whitens. "What do you mean? You said you’d wait until the year was out. You said you’d give me a year to live my own life before you called me home."

He winces. "I said you could live your life until I called on you to come back home."

"And I asked you for a year."

"I never promised that. I agreed to let you go on the condition you’d return when I asked you to."

"Is that why you’re here now?"

"I’m here because"—he swallows—"because?—"

"Because he’s arranged your marriage."

She looks at me, confused. "He has?" She leans back in her chair and locks her fingers together. "Dad? Is this true? Have you…have you decided who I’m going to marry?"

He nods but doesn’t raise his gaze.

"Who is it?" she asks in a low voice.

He stays silent.

"Dad, please." She swallows. "Is it…is it someone I know? Is that why you’re not speaking? Is it someone I don’t like? Is it?—"

"It’s me."

13

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