Chapter 6
Simon’s rant against Calista came to an
to an abrupt halt as Mine’s confession hung in the air. For once, he was stunned int
alista tumed to her vuddenly speechless father, a bitter smile playing on her lips. “Well, Dade Now you kno
diaser,” she said, her voice laced with sarim. “You were so quick to lay into me earlier. Why aren’t you giving Mira the sm
treate
Simon sited rooted to the spot, his brow furrowed as he stared at Calista. “She’s your sister, he muttered lamely. “How can you talk like than Calista’s bortied–up rage finally exploded. “Did she remember I was her sister when she humiliated me in front of everyone wedding?” Her voice climbed with every word. “She’s your daughter, sure–but I am your daughter toot
Simon, completely oblivious to how ridiculous he wounded, shot back. “You’re older than her. You
be setting an example”
Calista harked out a harsh laugh. “Oh, that’s rich. Every time Mira and I clash, it’s the same old bullshit from your “You’re older, just let it sliderm stepped back from them, her eyes scanning the four faces in front of her, filled with nothing but divdain.
Her past weighed on her like a heavy cloak–a mother the never knew, a father who remarried and brought Ella, Mira, and Jason into her life. The thin veneer of family unity had always been fragile, but now it by shattered at their feet
“I get it, Calista said, her voice now eerily calm. “Im just the outsider, right? You four are the real family here”
Her words but Simon like a gut punch. “Watch your mouth!” he mared, his pride stung by her blatant disrespect. “Don’t you forget who you’re talking to. After your mother died, you sure as hell didn’t complain about being an outsider when you were living off me all these years..
*Don’t greating all high and mighty just because you snagged a few scholarships. Think you’re so great! There’s the door. And don’t come crawling bark when you’re broke and starving”
Jilla’s eyes flashed at Simon’s outburst, but she quickly covered it with a sugary smile of concern. “Simon, please she cooed, her voice sickeningly sweet. “Calista’s only twenty, still in college. Gut her some slack”
She turned to calls, laying it on thick. “Calive, don’t fight with your father. He’s just upset. Why don’t you apologize, and we can move on?”
“Fine” Calista muttered, catching Fila completely off guard.
Ella had always seen Calista as a thorn in her side, and this sudden compliance threw her off. She had been hoping for a fight, or better yet, that Calista would get kicked out and leave her free to stop pretending to be the caring repmother.
Simon, thrown by his usually stubborn dwagner’s apparent surrender, softened slightly. He grunted, then switched to lecture mode. “About those photos at the wedding–Mira screwed up.
“You’ve dealt with her, so let’s put it behind us. Since you didn’t actually cheat on Adrian, find a time to straighten things out. See when y the wedding bark on track
you can get
As the owner of a thriving building materials company. Simon’s business had flourished, especially after establishing connections with the Cole family.
He saw Calista’s marriage to Adrian as his meal ticket. The engagement gifts from the Coles had been generous, more than covering all of Cal expenses for the past twenty years. He hard zero intention of returning those gifts.
of Calnan
“Temember,” he added, his tone mearing, “you’ve been engaged to Adrian for a year. You’re part of the Cole family now. We can’t keep supporting you. If Adrian kirks you to the curb after this mess, you’re damaged goods. No one else will marry you.”
“Get the wedding hack on track? Calista’s Laugh was hollow, a mix of disbelief and sorrow. This was her birth father, a man so
so mind–bogglingly
Simon’s owl deepened “What’s so damn funny?” he
snapped
