He was right—I was brought up with the Tanners. As a kid, I was treated like a princess by my father. Those memories had become so vague that I could barely remember them. Our family of three had once been so happy.
“Dad, didn’t you disown me? It was even published in the papers. Everyone in Avenport knows. I’m only the firstborn of the Tanner family by name.” Steadily, I lifted the cup of coffee to my lips and sipped. The bitterness suited the atmosphere of the moment.
“How dare you even mention that! If you had agreed to marry Mr. Lucas of the Goldstein family, our family would be listed among the top richest and not a third-rate little household.” At the mention of this incident, Nathan’s face became black like thunder.
“Tell me, do you and Christopher have something going on?”
I sighed. “Prior to this, when Lyle had threatened that he would tell you about this, I had guessed that you would ask me, and I was right. Nevertheless, Dad, you must understand that I have no control over a man’s decisions. If I do, then why would Lyle divorce me?”
“Since you are already Christopher’s mistress, what’s so hard about using your feminine wiles? Just take a page from Yvette’s and Crystal’s books, for goodness’ sake! They do everything better than you do. If you had been smart enough to marry Christopher Lane, I would have nothing to complain about you.” Nathan shot me a hateful glance as if to say I was good for nothing.
Hearing that had me sick to my stomach. My own father had just called me somebody’s mistress, and he was feeling shameful about it while, at the same time, he wanted to get some benefit from that. How ironic!
“So, Dad, are you sure that there’s something between Christopher and me?” I spoke plainly.
“Don’t try to deny it. Crystal has told me everything. I’m telling you that it’s okay for you to hook up with Christopher, but try to keep it under wraps, or you would disgrace the Tanner family. He would never marry you, so you might as well get some benefit for the Tanner family while you still can. When he dumps you later, I can still give you a hand. Keep in mind that the Tanner family is your family,” Nathan said this with displeasure with a grunt.
I must admit that Nathan was totally shameless when he talked about benefits. He did not know how despicable he sounded. That man could even say such things in front of me, his daughter, without flinching.
Right now, he was being totally unreasonable, just like the time when he wanted me to marry Lucas.
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