Page 64 of The Billionaire's Accidental Legacy

His expression was cool, but she could see amusement in his eyes. “Thank you for that.”

She inclined her head. “Of course.”

“And don’t take it personally, Jessie. I don’t like anyone.”

She frowned. “Do you think you’ll like the baby?” It would be difficult if he didn’t. But then, would she like the baby? She had no experience with babies. It was a concern.

“Do most people like their own children?”

“I don’t know. There are certainly TV shows that suggest some people like their children. And in fact, choose to spend time with their families. I guess I choose to spend quite a lot of time with my sister. But we never really had a choice. And soon she’s going to be a princess and move into a castle.”

“I don’t really understand that.”

“She won a castle. She just can’t move in until Christmas.”

“Well, all right, then. But what exactly is your point?”

“I’m not sure if I would’ve chosen to spend that much time with her if I didn’t have to. So I guess I’m saying I don’t have empirical evidence that people like their families.”

“Did you want to go sightseeing or not?”

She nodded vigorously. “I very much do.”

“Then let’s go.”

“It’s okay that you’re using this to get to my father,” she said once they were in the car headed somewhere she didn’t know.

“Thank you. I’m glad to have your approval.”

“I was just thinking that we all always use each other. It can’t be helped. You’re only with people when you need things from them.”

“I can’t say that I ever thought about it.”

“I think about it a lot. My whole childhood was so isolated. It isn’t like we went to school.”

“Never?”

“You did?”

“Yes. A boarding school. But still. I was with other children my age.” He looked away from her. “I had friends.”

“How nice. That you did get a reprieve from being around your father.” She meant it. She wished she’d had a reprieve from hers, but she didn’t resent him.

“Yes. School was my only real escape. This persona was very effective there. People like the one who’s always quick with a laugh or a sarcastic comment. I found that it could obscure the reality of things. I made myself who I am because of that school.”

“I think I never had the chance to develop apersona.” What she’d done with her feelings wasn’t about showing a particular thing to others; it was about protecting herself. “I’ve been many different people. It all just feels more like a mask that I take on and off at the end of the day. It would be nice to have a persona. It feels a little bit more stable.”

“So you were kept at home. How did you get an education?”

She laughed. She couldn’t help herself. “I remember everything. Everything. So if I read a mathematical formula, I remember how to implement it. Also, that kind of thing just makes sense in my head.”

“Right. You’re a genius.”

“I suppose. Though I think it’s more of a very helpful party trick. Regardless, the education part wasn’t the issue.”

“You didn’t have friends.”

She shook her head. “Only my sister. Who at least understood me, but the problem with that is... When someone understands you so well you don’t have to learn to be understood. You don’t have to learn to connect. We just think the same. I don’t know how to make another person understand me.”

---