Page 117 of Violent Attraction

“I don’t know what you want me to say, Isabella,” he gives me a shrug.

A shrug.

I never thought I would hate my father so much.

“I want you to be honest with me. I want you to tell me that you are sorry for trying to marry me off to a despicable man. I want you to apologize for failing me as a father.”

I feel my whole body shake.

Like all the anger I’ve been holding inside from years ago is finally coming to the surface.

“I won’t be doing that Isabella.”

Of course not.

“Then like Leo, you’re dead to me,” I grab the small purse that I came in with and stand. “I’ll leave you men to do business.” I start to walk away, but before I walk over the threshold, I turn back to look at my father. “I’ll be taking Camila with me. She deserves a lot more than whatever you will ever offer her. Congratulations Ronaldo, you have failed your children. Rosa Maria would be so proud of you.”

With my head held high and not a single tear shed, I leave my father’s office without a second thought and head straight to my sister.

The second I step into her room, she sees me and rushes over to me, holding me for dear life.

I hug her back as tightly as I can.

“You’re here,” she cries out. Seeing her tear up just by seeing me, breaks my heart.

“I’m here and you’re coming with me.”

Camila pulls away from me and looks at me with her big brown doe eyes.

“I am?”

I nod. “All week all I could think about is you and how you needed to get out of this house and this life. So, I’m here to take you with me. To Austin. For now.”

“For now?” A small crease forms between her eyebrows, and I reach forward to smooth it out.

“I talked to my boss. Told her I had a very talented sister and how she deserved to get the best education. She said that she had connections to the art department at NYU, that she could make a few calls and possibly get you a spot.”

It was a hard ask but if it got Camila as far away from our father as possible, I was going to do it. I would do anything for my sister.

I even mentioned it to Leo, and he agreed. He said to me that if it was something Camila wanted, he would front all the expenses she’ll have.

“NYU doesn’t just hand out spots,” she’s right they don’t.

“They don’t, but they do look at portfolios. And it so happens that the deadline is in two weeks. You’re good Camila, great even. I showed my boss some of your pieces and she agreed. She was able to talk to her connection and get you an appointment. And it’s yours if you want it.”

I watch as Camila goes through motions. Her mouth opens but then closes again when she can’t find the words to say.

She’s like that for a few minutes, until more tears escape from her eyes and she nods.

“I’ll take it,” she says, before coming back to me and hugging me as tightly as she can. “Thank you.”

“Todo por ti, hermanita.”

Anything for you little sister. Anything for you.

“You should pack a bag, so you can come with me now,” I say to her when we pull apart.

“I kind of already did.” She says sheepishly, putting a few stands of her greyish white hair behind her ear.

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