Page 60 of Claim

As I approached Dad’s office door, I heard his booming voice reverberate through the wood. Whoever he spoke to, anger laced every one of his words.

Wonderful. Just the environment I wanted to enter when expecting an ass-chewing.

Steeling myself for whatever was to come, I knocked.

“Come in.”

Turning the handle, I stepped inside to see Dad’s stern gaze pierce mine and my mother sitting in the chair on the other side of the desk.

“At least you can follow instructions for once.”

Saying nothing, I closed the door behind me and waited.

“What the hell is the meaning of this?” He gestured to his computer monitor. “Do you have any dignity? Do you have any honor? Don’t you think our family name already has enough soiling it with your brothers’ antics only to add your mess to it?”

He shifted as if to step around his desk, and I braced for him to stalk over and slap me.

“Don’t you have anything to say for yourself, or are you just going to stand there?”

I swallowed and replied, “Would you believe me if I said none of it is true?”

Mom shook her head, and her shoulders slumped as if utter disappointment washed over her. Inside, a crushing sadness engulfed me. Even now, she couldn’t even consider my innocence.

“Why would anyone make this up about you?”

Anger surged inside me. “Did you think it was because I wouldn’t sleep with them? That I wouldn’t let them put their hands on me? Men like to retaliate when they don’t get their way.”

“Who?” Dad moved in my direction, gripping my upper arms. “Give me his name.”

“It doesn’t matter, Dad.”

“If it’s true, then give me the name.” He shook me.

I narrowed my gaze and lifted my chin. “I needed you to ask about the truth years ago. It doesn’t matter now. Didn’t you and Mom wash your hands of me long ago?”

“Do you care nothing about our family name?”

“Not really.”

My mother gasped. “Sophia, do you have any concept of how this scandal will overshadow Eva’s wedding?”

What was so wrong with me that I kept holding on to the hope that they would one day love me?

I jerked out of Dad’s hold and stared at my parents. “You two are unbelievable.”

Sophia, you are twenty-five fucking years old. It’s time to grow the hell up and accept your reality.

“Sophia. Watch your tone.” The anger radiating from Dad matched mine.

I had no fucks left to give.

What would Lucian do? What would Leo do? They’d give it to Dad and Mom straight.

Well, that’s what I’d do.

I stepped toward the door, holding myself with as much strength as possible, and asked, “Why did you two have so many children if you only care about your name and place in society?”

“You do not question how I run my family. When you start contributing, then we can talk. Right now, all you do is cause problems.”

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