Page 26 of A Billionaire's Secret

I lay on my bed and slid my hand between my thighs. His firm, deep voice had suddenly unleashed a river in my groins.

12

Christian

"Diana,weneedtotalk about something,” I told my daughter calmly after thirty minutes of silence in the car. Her mother had left in the morning, and I had offered to drive Diana back to Nashville so we’d have the time and privacy to talk.

“What,” she muttered while staring blankly out the window.

“I was hoping you’d eventually fess up to me about it, but—” I took a deep breath while she turned to look at me. “I know about Desert Rose at the Kentucky Stakes.”

She remained silent, her eyes stared right through me as if I wasn’t even there. Then she turned back around to face the window.

“I know you’re going through a lot now, but we have to address it sooner or later.” I continued, maintaining a calm and soothing voice.

“Yeah, well, what does it matter now anyway,” she mumbled.

I felt a tingle of anger down my spine, but I swallowed and breathed out.

“It matters now and every day,” I insisted. “You could get in a lot of trouble for that kind of thing. Do you have any idea of the consequences? We didn’t raise you like that, Dee-Dee.”

“You’re one to talk,” she spewed, smiling sarcastically. “Like everything you ever did was perfectly legal.”

“Of course not. I’ve always been brutally honest with you about how business works. But we’re not talking about me now. Don’t you agree that actions have consequences? Did you think of what yours might be?”

“Yeah, I did,” she said, her voice increasingly shaky. “The only consequence I could think of was me winning that stupid race. And proving my worth to you.”

A tear rolled down the left side of her face as I stared at her, stunned.

“Me? Why did you think you had to prove your worth to me?” I questioned her with concern.

“Oh, please! So, you don’t think I’m a loser who only wastes your time and resources?” She turned to face me, hoping to catch me in a lie.

While parts of Diana’s accusations rang true, I couldn’t possibly admit to them. At the same time, she wasn’t a little kid anymore, and maybe some honesty would do her a favor.

“First of all,” I began firmly. “No father thinks of their kid in terms of time and resources. Now, if you feel like a failure, and that brings you sadness, then I’ve also failed because I measure my success through your happiness. Do you read me so far?”

“Um, I guess,” she wiped a tear and sniffled. “It’s a bit out there, but I can see what you’re getting at. If I’m sad and depressed, then you think you failed as a parent?”

“You got it,” I smiled and ruffled her hair.

“That’s great and all, but you’re making it aboutyou.” She concluded, turning away from me again. “Everything is not aboutyoursuccess or failure, Dad.”

I let her words sink in for a moment. The truth that sprung from them pinched me into Diana’s painful reality.

How typical, making it all about me.

“You’re absolutely right,” I agreed after deliberating her side. “I never thought of it that way. I never asked you about why you did what you did. I only thought about how that made me feel and look as a parent.”

“Yup, typical you,” she forced a smile but remained closed off.

“So, you think you have to live up to some high expectations I have for you? Is that right?” I prodded, trying to understand what made her feel this way.

“Yeah, Dad, imagine that?” she smirked sarcastically. “I’m the only child of a successful billionaire whose numerous accolades, perfect track record, and entire legacy fall on my shoulders—” Diana vividly elaborated, adjusting in her seat. “How’s that for pressure? How’s that for high expectations—”

“Wait a minute, baby girl,” I interrupted her, “Whose expectations? Whose pressure? When have I ever made you feel like you owed me all that?”

“You don’t have to say it, Dad! Not everything in the world needs to be said or labeled. Some things are just understood.” Diana debated. “And what’s more, maybe you never voiced those things, but you can’t convince me you don’t think about them.”

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