Page 33 of Break My Rules

Now, she looks shaken.

“I’m not interrupting, I hope,” I say pointedly.

“Of course not,” my father blurts loudly, releasing her. The moment she’s free, Valerie backs away from him. She recovers and offers me a polite smile. “I was just leaving. Alexander,” she nods at my father. “This conversation isn’t over. We’ll talk soon.”

She stalks out, her high heels tapping on the floor.

My father exhales and sinks onto the bed. “Everything alright?” I ask carefully.

“Oh yes.” My father says immediately. “Just a few hiccups at the lab. Deadlines, and so forth. You know how scientists can get. Brilliant, but highly-strung.”

He takes a handkerchief and mops his brow. His hand trembles.

Dammit.

I wanted to stay out of his personal affairs, but clearly, this is spiraling out of control.

“You don’t have to pretend with me,” I say slowly. “I know what’s going on.”

My father looks up, and panic flashes across his face. “Son—”

“This affair, with Valerie,” I cut him off before he can deny it. “I’ve seen the two of you sneaking around. Here, the Lancaster party… It’s only a matter of time before somebody else catches you in your littletête-à-têtes.”

There’s a pause. “You’re right.” My father hangs his head, and I would swear he even looks relieved. “I’m sorry.”

“You don’t owe me an apology,” I say coolly. “It’s none of my business who you fuck around with. But the payments? Fifty thousand pounds a month, straight out of the company funds? That’s just sloppy, Dad. No matter what kind of creative accounting you did to try and hide it,” I add. “Hell, if I can find it right there in the books, anyone can.”

My father looks up, brightening. “You were in the office?”

“I said I’d help. And you’re lucky I did,” I add. “Do you really want your mistress payoffs coming out in an official audit? Wouldn’t look too good in the investor newsletter, that’s for certain.”

He nods, looking chastened. “You’re right. I don’t know what I was thinking. You don’t have to worry,” he adds. “It’s over. I’ll end it, I promise.”

“Good.” I reply, relieved. For once, I’m the one lecturing my father about his life choices, but the role reversal is no consolation for having to consider my parents’ sex life, even for a moment. “How was your checkup?” I ask, glad to change the subject. “Everything looking alright?”

He nods. “The usual lectures about taking it easy, and eating more leafy veg. Your mother is having smoothies delivered twice daily,” he adds with a wince. “What I wouldn’t give for a nice, rare steak.”

“Well, as long as you’re on the mend.” I get up, more than ready to leave. “And the sooner everything is wrapped up with Dr. DeJonge, the less stress you’ll be under.”

“I guess I couldn’t resist temptation. Like son, like father, eh?” he offers me a weak smile, and I grit my teeth at the idea.

“Not anymore.”

My father looks surprised. “That American girl still keeping you occupied?”

“Her name is Tessa, and yes.” I head for the door. “Oh, and I’m giving Harold in Accounting a promotion. And a raise.”

I walk out.

God knows someone should come out ahead in this mess. Since Valerie’s been banking a small fortune from my father, and he’s certainly benefitted from the affair himself, it looks like it’s going to be Harold and his egg salad sandwiches getting the last laugh. Good. The less I have to think about my father’s sex life, the better. But as I exit the hospital, his words linger.

Like son, like father.

It’s true, I’ve never turned down the pursuit of pleasure, but I like to think my moral code stops short of cheating and deceit. Especially now, with Tessa, there’s no room for another woman in my mind, when I’m so consumed with thoughts of her.

Her playful, teasing smile.

Her rare, brilliant laugh.

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