“Were you recording me this whole time?” I asked, stunned.
“You were on FaceTime. Here. Say hi,” he said, and passed me the phone.
Reluctantly, I took the phone, my hand trembling. My father smiled at me, a chilling mix of warmth and calculated intent, sending a chilling tingle down my spine. Seeing him only intensified the feeling of being trapped.
“Hello, princess,” he said, waving at me.
“What the hell is wrong with you, Dad?” I growled, my anger simmering.
“Listen, I’m really sorry things had to unfold this way, sweetheart,” he said, his expression feigning sympathy. “But it was really the only way.”
“That’s bullshit.Totalbullshit. All you’ve done is lie and manipulate me.”
“I’m sorry for that. But to tell you the truth, Ottavia? I’m actually glad we’ve gotten everything out in the open. Now we can move forward with transparency, and a more honest understanding of each other.Allof us—you, me, and Leo, too.”
I scoffed, a bitterness lacing my words. “Oh, wow, I’m so thrilled to be in this circle of honesty and trust. Because you’re bothsoincredibly honest and trustworthy.”
“I know you’re mad, princess—”
“Maddoesn’t even begin to describe what I’m feeling. You planted ascandalabout your own daughter in the media and made me look like a spoiled, cheating whore. And why? To help with your crazed ambitions? What were you even thinking?!”
He sighed. “I know, right now, it’s overwhelming. But trust me—in time, it will pass, and you’ll see it wasn’t a big deal at all. And we can make that story go away even faster, if you want. Trust me, the public has the memory of a gnat. ”
“Right. As long as I do what you say. Becausethat’show you control people.”
“Look, I understand you’re upset. I would be, too, in your shoes. Which is why I want us to start over.”
“Start over?!” I laughed, appalled.
He nodded. “Ottavia, sweetheart, I’m willing to forgive and forget everything that has happened. You’ll still get your trust fund. I only ask one thing.”
“What,” I said flatly, even though I already knew what he was asking for.
“That you get on board with the original plan; you agree to marry Leo. Of course, you’ll have to stop seeing Dakota immediately.”
A surge of defiance rose within me. I straightened my spine and met Dad’s gaze.
“I won’t do it,” I declared. “I won’t be a pawn in your game. I won’t marry Leo. This ismylife, and I will live it how I choose.”
He sighed with disappointment. “And your trust fund?”
“Don’t need it,” I said. “I’m not obsessed with money like you are. I’ve been working all summer long, and you know what? I love it. I don’tneedtons of money to be happy. I see that now.”
“You think working a minimum wage restaurant job over the summer makes you part of the working class?” He let out an arrogant chuckle. “It’s easy to think you’re above the need for money when you still have a fortune to your name, and when you’re living with your millionaire boyfriend. You’re still so sheltered from reality, princess, you don’t even realize how privileged you are.”
His words hit their target. I felt small and stupid and like a clueless, entitled bitch.
Dad continued. “And when Dakota cheats on you—not if, butwhen—leaving you with nothing but a job at a restaurant, you’ll finally understand how important money is.”
“He’d never cheat on me,” I murmured.
“Hm.” Dad didn’t sound convinced. “The thing about Dakota is—and I know you like him, sweetheart—but the boy really is no good. His career has been a disappointment, and he has only himself to blame. And he’s a chronic liar. If he’d been honest with me from the beginning, none of this would’ve happened. But look at the mess his web of lies has made for this family. You think you can trust someone like that? Really?”
“That’s rich, coming from you,” I murmured. Frustration welled inside me. I was sick of listening to this crap. “I don’t care what you say. You’re wrong about Dakota. He actually cares for me. He doesn’t lie to my fucking face or cheat on me or gaslight me constantly just so he can control me. I’mnotleaving him.”
“Well, you’ve left me with no choice, then,” Dad said with a sigh. “I didn’t want to do this, princess, but I think there’s something you need to see. Leo?”
On cue, Leo handed me a tablet. A video was queued up, showing two people frozen in a still frame. One of the people was Dakota. I didn’t recognize the other—but she was young and attractive, and from their smiles, it was evident they were engaged in a conversation.
