Page 106 of Wish I Didn't Want You Back

“I’m good.” I picked up my stride as he sprinted toward me, telling me to hold on, but I was already at the elevator.

I swiped the key, thankful that the door opened, but I could still hear him yelling as the doors closed.

I leaned against the wall as it took me to the top floor. I clenched and unclenched my fists, waiting for the doors to open. I was worked up and antsy, not out of fear, but from the fire that had been burning in my chest for the past five years.

I stepped into the long hallway and took a left, walking to the familiar door. I rang the bell, and when he swung the door open, he was already on the phone with the guy at the front desk.

His eyes met mine. “He’s already here. Don’t worry about it. I’ll handle this.”

I walked past him, not waiting for an invitation inside.

He hung up and slammed the door. “Who the hell do you think you are barging in here without an appointment?”

I forced myself to stay calm and hoped this would be the last time I’d ever have to see the man again. “I didn’t think I needed an appointment to come talk to my future father-in-law.”

His jaw clenched just enough for me to notice. “What do you want?” He walked over to the liquor cabinet and poured himself a scotch.

My hands curled into fists. “I want you to stay the hell out of our lives.”

His eyes narrowed. “She is my daughter.”

“And I’m the man who will make sure you will never hurt her again.”

He sat down on an oversized leather chair and leaned back. “All this over a damn house.”

“It’s not just a house to her,” I snapped.

He still didn’t get it. I wasn’t sure he ever would.

He turned and waved his hand to the glass window, where the skyline spread out before him. It was late, so the entire city was lit up. It was too bad I couldn’t enjoy the view.

Do you think I got to where I am today by being soft? Every decision I have ever made came with a sacrifice.”

I stared at the man, questioning how someone as cold-hearted and ruthless as he could father a person as amazing as Harlow. I know she wanted to believe that he loved her, but I doubted he was capable of it. He only loved the version of her that was compliant, attended the best schools, wore the right dresses, and married the man who would benefit him and his business. Her life was never about her.

“Oh, trust me, I am very well aware. Harlow told me everything.”

He crossed his arms. “You’ll have to be more specific.”

“You forced her to leave me five years ago. You threatened her by promising to destroy me and my family if she didn’tcome back to New York City.”

He crossed his legs and swirled his liquor around in the glass. “How noble of her to tell you.”

“You made me think that I wasn’t good enough for her. I believed that she didn’t love me.”

He took a sip of his drink. “Then I guess my plan worked.”

I shook my head and stepped forward. “I spent years hating her because of you.”

The muscle in his jaw ticked. “All I have ever done is what’s best for her.”

I shook my head. “You do what’s best for you, William. No one else. You’ve allowed her to think that love came with conditions and strings. You made her believe that being with me would come with a cost that she wasn’t willing to pay. And once she grew a backbone and walked away, you couldn’t handle that.”

He rolled his eyes. “That’s an interesting interpretation.”

“I think it’s spot-on.”

He straightened his shoulders and adjusted his tie. “I think it would be best if you turn yourself around and walk back out that door before I’m forced to do something you won’t like.”

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