Page 40 of Grumpy Bossy Billionaire Enemy

“You didn’t mean to? You made me into a female version of you for all those years only to find out you have a son who will succeed in your business.”

“That’s not fair,” he crooned.

“What’s not fair is everything you’ve kept away from us,” Amelia choked out. “It just makes sense now that nothing we did ever made you happy. Nothing ever made you smile or spend time with us. It’s all because you have a family hiding somewhere.”

“I love you and I love your sisters too. I pushed you so hard because I wanted the best for you.”

“Did you push Nolan as well?” Amelia asked her father. “Or you didn’t have to.”

“I’m sorry, but I can’t take my actions back. I’m sorry that I made you feel this way. It doesn’t change the love I have for you and your sisters.”

“Do you love Mother?” Amelia raised her eyebrows. “Did you ever love her?”

Her father began to stutter, “We have an agreement that’s beyond what you know.”

Amelia nodded to say, “That’s what I thought; you loved someone else.”

“Your mother means so much to me,” Mr. Johnson interjected. “You mean much more to me than you’ll ever know.”

As a man, I’d advise Mr. Johnson to stop talking at this moment. He turned to me and held a stare. More like a plea to help him change Amelia’s mind.

“The company has a party tomorrow night,” Amelia’s father said. “I want you to come with Henry.”

“You won’t bother seeing me,” Amelia replied, and she closed the door behind her father.

My fear might be true. Finding out about a brother had totally changed Amelia. I could only hope that it wouldn’t change our marriage.

Chapter eighteen

A Dampened Childhood

Amelia

My frustration about my father’s infidelity was beginning to show. I started to spend less time away from the people who loved me and the people I loved. I was the first daughter who still bore the family’s burden. I feared that I was already projecting my anger on everyone around me. I was starting to resent going to work and meeting with people.

I had declined my father’s invitation to his party and refused to talk to Henry about it. I was beginning to flare up at every inconvenience. I’d taken too much sick leave from work that I feared Troy might have to fire me soon. Henry suggested that I talk to a professional, a shrink I would pay. I could feel Henry’s frustration too. He didn’t admit it, but he seemed tired of it all. I didn't blame him; he had every right to be tired. I haven’t been forthcoming with him, and a narcissistic husband would have shoved it in my face. Thankfully, Henry was not one. He was a man who wanted nothing but the best for me. However, right now, I was not sure what I wanted.

I had grown to love everything my parents wanted that I had lost a touch of myself in their demands. I could no longer trace the sunshine-bright, lively little girl I used to be. Right now, I was angry at my parents for shaping me into a younger version of themselves that I had lost my own identity. I was angry at my sisters for leaving the whole family burden on me, and I was more angry at myself for letting everyone else shape me into what I was today.

I never wanted to be a doctor. That was my parent’s dream, which I’ve come to love. Now, I felt fulfilled because I saved lives. I never wanted to marry Henry, either. I’d only agreed because it made them happy, but I’d fallen in love with him, anyway. Now, I was at a point in my life where I wanted to defile my parents so badly. Call it a late rebellious phase, but I wanted to rebel against their decision like I was a teenager anew.

Henry came to the patio where I clung a coffee cup, looking at the cool breeze from the nearby beach. I raised my head to look at him. He’d been at home with me, even when I told him I was fine all by myself.

He bent over to kiss me. “Camille is here to see you.” Henry looked up, and I turned my head to follow his gaze.

Camille appeared from the door. She flashed me the smoothest smile I had ever seen. “What are you doing here?”

“Henry asked me to come.” I raised my eyebrows at Henry, who gave me a wink.

Henry went back into the house, leaving us both to talk. “You didn’t have to come; you should be at the hospital.”

“Troy gave me a pass,” Camille giggled. She sighed in relief, and it dawned on me that I hadn’t seen Camille in like forever.

“I missed you,” I held Camille’s hand, realizing that this marriage had prevented us both from going on our usual friendship dates.

“I miss you too,” Camille replied. “That’s why I’m here.”

“Really? Not because Henry put you up to be my therapist?”

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