Chapter Five

Family Reunion

   

  Maria’s POV

   

  Sebastian’s laugh had his father red with rage. He rose from his seat, coming to stand by me with a protective hand on my low back.

   

  I was much too angry to give mind to the sparks that traveled up my spine from where he touched me.

   

  “You forget, dad, that if I hadn’t taken over Bolt Industries when I did, the company would no doubt have folded under your leadership.” He said with a bored tone. “Even if you were to present that case to the board, they would no doubt agree with me.”

   

  “How dare you?!” The man spat rising from his seat. “I raised you when your whore of a mother dropped you on my doorstep. I took you in with no questions asked. I made you what you are today.”

   

  “And you have made sure to remind me of it at every turn.” Sebastian scowled. “I have paid my dues in the billions I have made you and if you choose, I will leave you to see just how well you can manage those billions.”

   

  If I wasn’t upset and if he were any other man, I would have found his confidence sexy. I had a weakness for competent men.

   

  “You…”

   

  “I will be leaving now with my fiancée.” He added, taking my hand in his. “Enjoy your dinner with Miss Kidman.”

   

  “Seb…”

   

  He led me out, ignoring Cassandra’s attempt to speak to him, his grip painful. I tried to remove my hand from his but his grip was even tighter. He didn’t even seem to be thinking.

   

  “Sebastian.” I called, straining against his hold.

   

  “Sebastian!” I said a little louder.

   

  He stopped and turned to look at me as though seeing me for the first time.

   

  “You’re hurting me.” I said straining against his hold again.

   

  “I’m sorry.” He apologized.

   

  I nodded and this time, he held out his hand to me with a questioning look in his eye. I put my hand in his and allowed him lead me to his car.

   

  Giving him my address was a tough decision but I did, leaning back and breathing out deeply once the car started moving.

   

  A lot of words had been said and secrets had been spilled but neither of us said anything on the ride to my house.

   

  “Thank you.” I said once he stopped in front of my apartment building.

   

  He nodded.

   

  “You’re still going to the bridal shop tomorrow?” he asked.

   

  I nodded.

   

  “Alright.” He said then as an afterthought he added: “You do know your sister is going to slander you on social media so you should prepare to be stormed with paparazzi tomorrow. I would advise you stay indoors.”

   

  “I will not hide. I am innocent of her accusations.”

   

  “It is not hiding.” He answered. “It is called being strategic.”

   

  “Thank you for your suggestion but I can take care of myself.” I snapped, unlocking my seat belt and opening the door.

   

  I was already out and had almost fully closed the door when I heard his words.

   

  “You don’t always have to.”

   

  I stormed away from his car, barely greeting the door man as I stepped into the lobby of my apartment building. I just wanted to shower off the annoyance of the day and ignore how those words made my heart heavy with grief at my own father’s betrayal.

   

  “Mari!” I heard a familiar voice call just before I could call the elevator.

   

  I turned to see my father staring at me with unrestrained anger in his eyes.

   

  “What the bloody hell do you think you’re doing?” He spat stepping closer to me.

   

  My building’s security eared but I waved them off.

   

  He straightened his jacket remembering he was in public.

   

  “It is good to see you too, Father.” I answered.

   

  He looked nothing like the man that had loved my mother and I when I had been younger. Nothing at all like the man who had taught me to drive and made me develop a love for classical music.

   

  I had ached for the love we had shared before he’d married Fiona, Cassandra’s mother.

   

  “Why do you insist on hurting your sister the way you do?” He asked. “Sebastian Bolt was engaged to her first.”

   

  Why did everyone insist on treating Sebastian as a toy that was snatched rather than an adult capable of making decisions?

   

  “Is that really what you came all this way to say?” I asked unable to hide my tears. “After five years?”

   

  He stumbled back clearing his throat unable to look at me.

   

  “Don’t try to distract me from the problem on ground, Maria. Temper tantrums hardly becomes you.”

   

  I laughed, wiping at my eyes.

   

  They were not worth crying over.

   

  “You didn’t seem so bothered when I told you I caught her sleeping with Richard.”

   

  “That is because I knew Richard wasn’t worth anything!”

   

  I scoffed unable to believe what I was hearing.

   

  “You’re unbelievable.”

   

  “And you’re being selfish.” He scolded. “You’re not worthy of such a match.”

   

  “And Cassandra is?”

   

  “She is the current CEO of Kidman Shipping.”

   

  “Which was also meant to be mine!” I yelled unable to help myself. “When has she ever done something for herself? Everything that has ever been mine, she has coveted. My toys, my fiancé and even my father.”

   

  He winced and had the gall to look ashamed.

   

  “You know I only take her side because I never wanted her to feel I loved her less…”

   

  “She’s no longer a child!” I spat. “When is she going to grow up?”

   

  “Look Mari.” He sighed. “I need this marriage more than I can tell you. Kidman shipping is… we’re in dire straits. I cannot…”

   

  “That is no concern of mine any more, father.” I said, squaring my shoulders. “You disowned me, remember?”

   

  I walked away from him, stepping into the elevator that opened just at that second and as if realizing the conversation was over, he didn’t follow me.

   

  The second I stepped into my apartment, I crumpled to the floor, slapping a hand over my mouth to mute my sobs. It was easy to pretend I didn’t care anymore for my father but seeing him today after so many years, old wounds had opened up and it stung even worse than it had before.

   

  “Is everything alright, dear?” I heard Helena, my best friend, ask. “How was the dinner?”

   

  I told her what happened, rising from the floor to hydrate. Anger filled me again as I remembered the disastrous dinner. Helena was positively livid.

   

  “What do you intend to do?”

   

  “I intend to proceed as planned.”

   

  “Your family isn’t just going to let this slide. They will do everything in their power to stop you.”

   

  “Let them.” I said frowning. “Its high time I stop acting like I’m powerless.”

   

  Would this event lead to old woulda resurfacing?