Page 112 of I Blame the Club

“Talk about me or my partner like that again and I will spread the word that our CEO has a problem supporting diversity.” I step forward, savouring the sight of blood staining my father’s suit, “And as for the rest of your homophobic tangent, do us both a favour and grow up. You are down to one child now, so if you ostracize Stella the way you did with me, there will be no one left to carry your empire.”

I pause, watching my father wipe his bleeding nose with the back of his hand. It was heartbreaking, seeing the dark sky illuminate the man who only had money left to give.

“Stella asked me what our family would be like, if Charlotte was still alive.”

The mention of my mother’s name has Jonathan’s composure crumbling faster than my respect for him.

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I press on, “I didn’t have an answer for her then but I do now.”

My father blinks at me, his emotionless façade ripping at the seams.

“We would be just as broken because she would have hated the man you have become.”

And with that, I turn and walk out the door.

Leaving my father to fall to pieces alone.

Chapter 30

1 week later…

Mo

Stella doesn’t bother holding back her shriek.

“I knew it! Iknewthis was going to happen.”

Cody chuckles from beside her, “I’m just glad I won’t have to hypothesize about your sex life anymore.”

Stella slaps his chest, “Don’t pretend you weren’t as equally invested. You were cheering for Nico just as much as I was.”

I watch the couple go back and forth, their familiar bickering putting a smile on my face as I take a sip of my whiskey. Even before Cody and Stella got together, they always found something to argue about.

I used to find it sickening to watch.

Now I find it endearing.

Clearing my throat, I break the current showdown with a question that’s been lingering at the back of my mind for a while.

“How did you pick Nico as my partner if you didn’t know I was into men?”

Cody grins and leans back in his chair, looking at my sister. Stella quickly drops her gaze to her nails and studies them intently.

“I figured it out during winter break.”

I narrow my eyes, “That’s funny because I don’t remember bringing a guy home for you to meet.”

Stella hums, tapping her fingers on the table, “How strange.”

Cody barks out a laugh and earns himself a glare. I tilt my head, refusing to look away until my sister meets my eyes.

“Fine. I looked through your messages and saw the names of your hookups. Most of which were male.”

I blink, “How did you get into my contacts?”

She grins, “My facial recognition is programmed into your phone.”

Cody shakes his head and takes a sip of his beer, unsuccessfully hiding his smirk behind the glass. Ignoring my friend, I slide my hand across the table.

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