Page 531 of Hell Hath No Fury
THE CHOICES WE MAKE
KAT T. MASEN
CHAPTER ONE
“I expect you home by curfew.”
As I make my way down the large staircase, my father appears out of nowhere. I stop mid-step, closing my eyes to control myself before I say something I’ll regret.
Things have been strained lately. For some reason, he has gotten stricter since my older sister, Addy, moved out. I mean, she gets to move out with a guy, not to mention my other two older sisters, Millie and Ava, have also moved out. Sure, they’re married, but whatever.
He is trying to control everything I do, and it’s getting on my nerves.
“It’s Friday, home by midnight,” I respond casually. “I remember.”
“Turn around,” he demands in an authoritative tone.
Slowly, my hips twist until the rest of my body follows. My father is standing at the top of the stairs, still dressed in the navy suit he wore to the office. His stature is tall and for everyone else, intimidating. After all, he is the great Lex Edwards. Billionaire entrepreneur who always gets his way.
I’m not dumb, smart enough to know the tricks after years of living under his rules.
Like, never leave the house wearing clothes he disapproves of. I’d just put on a pair of jeans and a black tank plus threw a jacket over it, not exposing any skin. The shoes on my feet are sneakers, so he can’t scold me for dressing age-inappropriate in heels.
“Where are you going tonight?”
I keep my gaze steady, careful not to show any expression which will alarm him. “A friend from school is having a birthday party at her house. Her parents will be there.”
Okay, maybe that’s a lie. As if I asked if her parents would be there.
“Will Cole be at this party?” he questions.
My father has met my boyfriend Cole several times. He’s even joined us for dinner upon my parents’ requests to get to know him better. Thankfully, Cole didn’t mind and was a gentleman about the whole damn thing. He later told me saying no to my father would have broken us up since word around town is Lex Edwards is ruthless and cunning. Nobody dates his daughter if he is in the slightest way disrespected.
“Yes,” I tell him. “We are going in separate cars in case he wants to stay, and I have to be home.”
The piercing green eyes examine me, probably to see if I’m lying. All of what I’ve said is true. The only lie is this outfit I’m wearing. The plan is to quickly stop at my sister Ava’s house and raid her closet for something more party appropriate.
If he wants to control my life, then this is what I must do. It’s his fault, really.
“Very well then,” he concludes. “Midnight and not a minute later.”
* * *
“I’m an enabler.”
Ava stands behind me as I go through her closet, looking for something decent. No offense to her, but when did she suddenly become a grandma? There’s nothing short at all. The shortest dress I’ve stumbled on falls just above my knees.
“What’s with all the muumuus?” I ask while cringing at some flower dress that looks like a tent.
“I just had a baby,” she reminds me in a raised tone. “Have some respect for a woman’s changing body. What exactly do you want, anyway?”
“Something decent,” I mumble.
Ava pushes me out of the way but moves to the other end of the closet. I didn’t notice the other section until she reached out and showed me a mini white dress with puffed sleeves. It’s cute, but I don’t want to look cute.
“Yeah, cute and shit, but what else?”
“Could you be any pickier?” Ava mutters beneath her breath. “What about this?”
