Page 156 of The Rogue and His Flower

“Don’t, Dalton. It’s not worth it.”

“I’m not throwing good money after bad,” Carl continues, giving Daisy a dismissive look.

“Good money after bad?! I suggest you fucking apologise you piece of shit, or this day might just end up being your worst,” I growl, giving him a warning, even though it’s more than he fucking deserves.

Daisy sighs. “Carl, we both came here this morning knowing how you would react, but a part of me had hoped that maybe you’d love your son enough to support us. I know you dislike me, I can live with that, but I don’t understand how you could want anything other than happiness for Dalton.”

“Happiness has fuck all to do with this!” he snaps, face reddening with anger.

“My dad would be so disappointed in you. If he were alive?—”

“He’s not, butI am,” my father cuts in and Daisy visibly jerks as though he’s slapped her.

“Enough!” I shout. “That’s enough. You’ve said your peace, and now we’re going to say ours.”

“No, I’m done listening to you. This is how this whole fucking shit show is going to play out,” my father continues, steamrollering the conversation like he always does. “You will divorce Daisy, releasing you from this marriage, and you will find someone else to impregnate.”

I knew this was coming, but the effect of his words is no less of a punch to the gut. Daisy’s eyes fill with tears, but she holds her chin up refusing to let him get the better of her, of us.

“Absolutely not!” I growl, shaking my head vehemently. “I’m not divorcing Daisy. Iloveher.”

“It’s not up for discussion,” my father replies coldly. “You have an obligation to your family name and legacy.”

“I don’t give a fuck about our family name or legacy,” I snap back. “I care about Daisy and what we have together.”

“This is business, and business comes before pleasure,” he counters.

“This is not fucking business, and you sure as fuck don’t get to dictate my personal life or tell me who I can or cannot love!” I argue back.

“I think you’ll find that I can and will. The debt owed to me remains unpaid, but as a gesture of goodwill, I will release both Drix and Daisy from the debt so long as you divorce her. If not, Drix will return to his duties effective immediately!” he shouts, spittle flying from his mouth as he slams his fist on the table, causing Daisy to jump in her seat.

“A gesture of goodwill?!” I bark out a laugh. “You’re asking me to divorce the woman I love and call that a gesture of goodwill? Fuck you.”

“Releasing them both from this debt is a pretty good deal, don’t you think?” he counters. “Just do as I say, and this will all be over.”

“FUCK YOU AND YOUR DEMANDS!” I roar, and in two strides I’ve got my father by the lapels of his jacket and am lifting him roughly out of his seat.

“Ah, there he is, I did wonder when you’d finally grow a backbone,” he taunts, calm yet smug.

“You’re nothing but a piece of shit!” I grind out, shaking him, seeing fucking red.

“You think you can intimidate me? I raised you, boy. I know every move you make before you even think of it.”

“Oh really? You think you know me that well, so what’s my next move?”

“You will come to your fucking senses. You will release me, say your goodbyes to Daisy and divorce her, then you will remarry and give me a fucking grandchild. Then and only then will you inherit your billions as planned.”

“No!” I spit back defiantly.

“Dalton, let him go,” Daisy says standing.

I flick my gaze to Daisy, shaking my head. “He’s just insulted you, insulted our relationship. I’m going to fucking murder him, not let him go!”

My father throws his head back in a maniacal cackle, the sound echoing off the walls as he taunts me with pure malice.

I lose it.

In a blur of motion, my fist connects with my father’s nose, a satisfying crack resounding through the air as blood sprays from the impact. A mixture of fury and pain twists my father’s features as he stumbles backwards.

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