Page 108 of Heartless Sinner

I thought about that, too. I wouldn’t be surprised if Eloise staged the videos she showed off last night about her efforts in Rwanda. I was as shocked as everyone else who saw that videothat she would do anything at all to get her perfectly manicured fingernails dirty.

“Aside from those things…” He shifts his weight from one foot to the other, the look in his eyes softer. “I didn’t think it was right for me to give my support to Eloise when she treated my daughter-in-law in such a terrible way. Her actions were disrespectful to me, too.”

That was a million-dollar contract, so Eloise has truly dug herself a grave. I’m sure all the people she told about my father’s investment will soon know he’s pulled out. It’ still doesn’t feel like it’s enough, but that is definitely something to hit her hard. “What about Luis?”

“He’s not happy about it, but that’s not for me to worry about. The incident got me thinking that it happened because I allowed Luis and his family too much freedom to do what they wanted.”

I won’t disagree. He’s right. “Thank you for the support.”

He gives me a clipped nod then stares at me with more thought in his expression. “What she said… about the payment. Was it true?” My father never asks a question he doesn’t already have the answer to. I’ve learned that the hard way when I was sixteen and took his car, wrecked it, then tried to lie about it.

“Yes.”

“Not once have you acted like a man who planned to let his woman go.”

“No. I didn’t.”

“I really hope you don’t plan to.”

I shake my head. “No, Papà. Scarlett’s not going anywhere.”

He nods, and a proud look flashes in his eyes. “I guess you really did fall in love after all, then, and it all worked out in the end.”

“It did.”

The soft patter of footsteps behind us makes us turn. Scarlett stands in the doorway looking like a little fairy dressed in her yoga pants and sweatshirt and her hair pulled into a high messy bun.

Her cheeks color at the sight of my father, and there’s a noticeable tremble in her hands. “Mr. Delarosa. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

“Don’t apologize. And please call me Giovanni.” My father gives her a soft smile and I appreciate this moment for what it is.

Scarlett looks more at ease. “Thank you.”

I put my arm out, signaling for her to join me. She does, and I slip an arm around her tiny waist, pulling her close to me.

Father smiles at the sight of us together and gives me a pleased nod. “Genevieve and I would love for you both to join us on Sunday for dinner. It will just be the four of us.”

“Then we’ll be there,” I reply, but Scarlett and I both nod.

“Wonderful. I’ll leave you to enjoy the rest of the morning. See you Sunday.”

We both say goodbye and watch him leave. Scarlett looks up at me the moment we hear the door close.

“I really hope I didn’t interrupt you,” she says.

“No.” I plant a gentle kiss on her lips. “He was actually here to check on you.”

“Me?”

“Because of last night. He finally saw how much of a bitch Eloise is. He’s not going to be working with her anymore.”

“Really?”

“Yes. I told you he’d like you the moment he got to know you.”

Her eyes twinkle, and she seems awed by my words. “That means a lot.”

“How are you feeling?”

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