Page 21 of The Sound of Temptation

“As long as your partner has no issues, you should be able to carry a pregnancy either way. If you have a typical conception again, as we explained to your father, the likelihood you’ll have another ectopic pregnancy given the adhesions in your tube is extremely high.”

I sigh again, the concern in her eyes and the gravity in her voice is very compelling.

“You’re very young. I can understand how hard this must be. And you don’t have to decide today. The consequences of whatever you decide will be enormous. I wouldn’t make this recommendation unless I thought it was necessary. You’re very lucky you made it here in time. Ectopic pregnancies can be fatal. And as I said, the pregnancy is never viable.”

My stomach churns but I can see the choices she’s laying out for me clearly. She looks at me expectantly and I nod. “I should do it… the surgery, I mean, right?”

She nods “I think--”

“Dr. Appiah, excuse us. I’d like to speak to my daughter alone.” My father’s clipped, rigid voice brooks no argument.

But Dr. Appiah keeps her eyes on me. “Do you want to speak to your father alone?”

He explodes out of his chair. “Don’t be ridiculous.” He strides to the other side of my bed and glowers at her. “Of course she does. Get out.”

She bristles and opens her mouth to push back. I squeeze her hand, hard and when she looks down at me, I smile. “I would like to speak with him alone.” She looks tough, but he fights dirty.

She pats my hand, and says with a reassuring smile. “I’ll let you have five minutes, but then, you need to rest. I’ll be here for a few more hours, so just call the nurses’s station if you need me.” She gives my father a quick, disdainful glance and leaves the room.

He stalks over to the bed, his wrathful energy cold comfort after Dr. Appiah’s warm compassion. “Just when I thought I couldn’t be more disappointed in you.” His voice is low and cold.

I glance at him, the rage that nearly stopped my heart a few minutes ago is still there, but it's a pittance compared to my despair. My heart is shattered.

“You have brought shame on this family. And if I could, I’d send you somewhere so I never had to look at you again.”

I close my eyes to block him out and turn my head to look at the ceiling when I open them again.

“I wish you could, too.” But I know I wouldn’t be so lucky.

“You are a selfish creature. Of your mother’s making.”

“I know.” I admit, quietly.

“Who is he?”

I shake my head. “Nobody.”

I don’t hear him cross the room, but I feel it. I open my eyes just before his hand grasps my chin and squeezes so hard my teeth cut the inside of my mouth. “I knew you’d lie, but I’ll find out. It’s only taken me two hours to find out it’s likely the young man you were cavorting with this summer. I’ll find out who he is.” His eyes bore into mine. “Your ability to continue my bloodline is the only thing you’ve got left that’s worth anything. I want to find the thief who tried to steal my family’s entire future. I want to return the favor.”

He means it. And even though Carter isn’t as helpless as the poor art supply store owner who had the misfortune of hiring me, my father’s vengeance has no qualms and no bounds. Even if he deserves it, I don’t hate him enough to start the fire myself. “What can I do to make this up to you?”

“I thought you’d grown out of this shit. You still haven’t learned that I am your alpha. You have a place in the world because I’ve given it to you. Do you understand that?”

I nod, numb with the onslaught of emotional body blows I’ve endured today. A tear leaks from my eye

He loosens his grip on my face and turns it from side to side, inspecting my jaw before he lets go completely. “You’re lucky I’m announcing my candidacy this weekend. I need you there, smiling and standing up straight. Otherwise, I’d beat you like my Daddy did me. I’ve been too soft with you.”

He steps away from the bed, and I can see him straightening his cuffs and his tie in my periphery as he strolls to the door. “So, here it is. I’ll forget about hunting down your lover man if you agree you won’t ever see him again.”

“I won’t.” It’s the only honest promise I’ll ever make him.

“I will continue to pay your tuition at UT. But you will be home every weekend until you graduate. Upon graduation, you will work for Wolfe, and only Wolfe, until you’re married. Marriage will give you access to your inheritance. Once you have produced two heirs, you’ll be free to go anywhere your heart desires. Just like your mother did. But on your inheritance, you can live even better than she does. I think it’s a very generous offer, considering I have the power to do anything I want. What do you think?”

“Yes, Daddy.”

“If you break your word to me, anyone who has a hand in it will pay. Understood?”

I nod.

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