Page 38 of Forbidden Noble
Wow.
The guards began to pull Max away but he struggled and asked, “Olivia, where is this child? Why did you never tell me?”
Red hot adrenaline rushed in his veins. He clenched his fists, ready to kill Max with his bare hands if the man came any closer.
His sister’s voice brought him back. “You have no rights to any child. I chose to give birth knowing we’d never see you again. When my child is eighteen, then there is an option to meet you if you’re both still alive and the child desires it.”
His spine was still stiff but he forced himself to relax his fists. Murder wasn’t the answer.
Besides, his sister hadn’t even mentioned whether her child was a girl or boy to Max. Or to him, but he guessed the pink sheets in his old room were for his niece now. She'd chosen her words carefully. Astorre said, “My sister’s child would be her own to decide and ours to protect.”
Max’s voice had a crack in it when he said, “All I ever heard were whispers.”
Olivia quickly asked, “Why do you care now?”
He’d have the same questions if Clara left and he heard she’d had his child. Not that he’d blame her. It’s not like the Manfredi name was clean.
Max shouted to Olivia, “Because I have rights.”
Clara coughed and they all turned to her as she asked in a soft but firm tone, “How much will it take to make you forget your rights?”
Max looked offended for all of two seconds, then nodded at her. “You are clever, Clara.”
Money. Astorre should have guessed.
Clara let out a snort. “What’s the going rate these days for your sperm donation?”
The room grew quiet. Astorre wondered what Max might say, but then he bowed like he’d just made a deal. “I will relinquish all parental rights for five million euros.”
Olivia glanced at Astorre, her eyes narrowed at Max. “Pay him from my dowry." She pointed regally toward the door. "Now get out and never come back.”
The guards walked Max out without further problem.
Olivia jumped out of her chair the instant the doors closed. He thought she might run so he quickly got up and said, “Olivia, I wish you’d told me I was an uncle?”
Tears fell from her eyes. “I’m sorry. I thought at the time…"
Her voice trailed off but she didn’t need to say more. She was right. He could turn into their father. Why take that chance?
Olivia wiped her face and said, “I thought I might take my Sophia out of Avce and show her the world for a year. But it seems I can never go.”
"Why not?” Clara asked.
Her shoulders slumped. “If I take her away from here, I don’t trust Max wouldn’t try… not until he cashes a check.”
Clara’s voice was soft as she said, “I understand.”
His muscles tensed and part of him wanted to go and rip Max’s head off his body, and the image of doing it played in his mind in full color.
“I’ll bring her to lunch if you wish, Astorre, and you and Clara can meet her.”
They stood like court was over.
But his mind raced as he stepped to follow.
How did he protect a little girl from his own eventual spiral? It was better to send Clara, Olivia, and Sophia away.
Clara came to his side. “You said you wanted to study to be a therapist, Olivia.”
