Page 79 of Vow to Hate You

“Have a seat.” He motioned at the closest couch.

I groaned internally. Whatever he wanted to talk about wasn’t going to be a short conversation. I sank onto the cushion, keeping my back straight as my father took the plush chair across from me. His expression gave nothing away, and my heart leaped into my throat. Did he find out I was playing music at the clubs?

“How is your marriage?”

My lips parted in shock. “It’s…fine.”

“Is he treating you well?”

I stared at him, wondering why he suddenly cared. When Damian and I got married, all my father worried about was how it would affect business. Even before I’d graduated high school, he had been lining up matches for me with men twice my age.

“He always has,” I finally said. “Why?”

He studied me thoughtfully, clasping his hands together as he leaned forward. “I’m going to tell you something I expect you to keep to yourself. That includes not telling your husband.”

My gut churned anxiously. “What is it?”

He took his time answering. “Christian has been acting questionable lately. I have a feeling he’s planning something behind my back.”

Shock engulfed me as I remained silent. My father hadneverspoken to me about serious matters before.

“Has Damian mentioned anything to you?” he questioned.

I shook my head. “He doesn’t speak to me about business.”

He heaved out a heavy sigh. “When we drafted your marriage contracts, we were careful about everything we added. To make sure neither of our families could do anything to undercut the other.”

“I’m aware.” My words were somewhat a lie, since I’d barely read the contracts before signing them.

“But there are ways they can be voided even now, years later.” He met my eyes, his piercing stare turning hard. “If Damian has done anything we disapprove of, you can request a divorce. Then the majority of our business shares stay in my name.”

A shiver tore down my spine. He was about to pull me into his world that I wanted nothing to do with.

“Does your husband have his hands in things he shouldn’t, Natalia?” he asked in a low voice. “Business we don’t know about? Or affairs? Either of those things would void your marriage contract.”

My pulse thudded as I maintained eye contact with him. Club Facade was definitely a business that wouldn’t be considered acceptable. Especially if they found out Damian was a dancer. A weight fell on my chest. It was his one slice of happiness in this life. My father would ruin everything if I told him about it.

“I’m giving you an out,” he murmured softly. “Do you really love him?”

“You didn’t ask me that five years ago when you realized our marriage would benefit you.” The words were out of my mouth before I could stop myself, and I regretted it immediately when anger flared in his eyes. “I mean?—”

“You know what I expect from you,” he interrupted me sharply. “Our family empire comes beforeeverything. Maybe you’ve forgotten while you were gone, so let me remind you. You’re married to a Valentin, but your loyalty is to me and our family.”

“Damian treats me well,” I stated flatly. “He hasn’t cheated. I’m not aware of any businesses outside of yours.”

He leaned back in his chair, his suspicious stare burning through me. I didn’t care if he didn’t believe my words. I wasn’t about to wreck the one thing Damian enjoyed. Something he built for himself. I also wasn’t stupid. If I divorced him, then my father would waste no time finding anothersuitablematch for me. At least I knew where I stood with Damian.

“If that changes, you’ll tell me.” His tone was cold. “The contract would also be void if you are in any unacceptable activities. Christian is no doubt digging like I am. I expect you to behave. You want to stay at Damian’s side, then you do what a wife in your position is supposed to.”

“I understand,” I forced out through clenched teeth. If I wanted to continue to play music, I was going to have to be careful.

“Your mother is the only reason you went to school,” he reminded me, warning lacing his voice. “I was fully against it. There is no reason for you to leave home again. If I find out you’re disobeying what I want, there will be consequences.”

“Like what, Dad?” I asked, anger bubbling through me. “I am not a child anymore. I’m married. You can’t dictate my life like you used to.”

His calmness unnerved me more than his usual yelling. “I can and I will if I find out my daughter isn’t behaving. The little bubble of freedom you have? It can disappear. Your livelihood, along with your husband’s, comes from our business.Ourmoney. Not yours.”

I didn’t move a muscle, fury sliding through my veins. I didn’t give a shit about money. I would leave with the clothes on my back. But my father knew that—which was why his next words didn’t come as a surprise.

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