CHAPTER THIRTY–SIX
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Liana’s POV
I knew the moment I heard the knock, it was my father. My heart skipped, not because I was excited, but because I wasn’t ready. He said he wanted to talk about my future which was the reason why he was coming. I wasn’t ready. I didn’t think I was ready for such conversations.
Agnes opened the door before I could even get up from the couch. And there he was.
My father.
Standing tall in his signature charcoal grey suit, his expression tight, his eyes sharper than I remembered. He didn’t say a
word. Not yet. Beside him stood Mother. Her smile was soft, but her eyes were just as worried.
“Liana,” my dad said as he stepped inside. “We need to talk.”
My chest tightened. I nodded, stepping back to let them in. They walked in like they’d done it a hundred times before, as if they still had that authority. Maybe they did. Maybe I just hadn’t shaken off the part of me that still wanted to be their
daughter, the one who didn’t disappoint them.
“Would you like some tea or ”
“No,” my dad said sharply. “This won’t take long.”
Mother touched his arm gently. “Please, don’t start like that.”
He didn’t respond.
We sat down in the living room. I curled my fingers tightly together in my lap. My dad looked at me for a long time. Then he
exhaled.
“I’ve spoken to an old friend of mine,” he said. “Very close friend. His son’s a widower. He owns a luxury hotel here in the city. Well–established, good man. He has a daughter. Young, maybe Ryan’s age.”
I blinked, as my chest stilled.
He kept going. “He’s interested in meeting you. He’s coming in tomorrow. The plan is, you two go out for lunch. Just talk. See how it goes.”
I stared at him like he’d slapped me.
“What?”
“Liana, listen-”
“You want to matchmake me to some stranger? Some man I’ve never met?”
“He’s a good man. Responsible. From a good family.”
I stood up, as my voice rose. “And what? You think that makes it okay? You think I’m some trophy you can just hand off to the next man you approve of?”
“It’s not like that-”
“It is exactly like that!”
He stood too. “I’m trying to save you from more disgrace! From making another mistake that’ll ruin your life.”
I laughed, bitter, cold, like the sound of my own heart had turned on me. “You mean Killian. That’s what this is about.”
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“Of course, it is!” he barked. “You expect me to sit here and accept that you’re sleeping will b
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your stepbrother?”
“Stop calling him that! He’s not my brother, and you know it!”
“He is your stepmother’s son! That makes him—”
O
“Nothing! We didn’t grow up together, we didn’t live as siblings, this is not some messed–up forbidden thing you’re making it
out to be.”
“Liana,” Mother whispered gently. “Please… I know this is hard. But your father is scared.”
“Then he should say that instead of treating me like some shameful secret.”
“You think I’m not scared?” my dad snapped. “You think it didn’t break something in me when I found out what hiding all those years? You left this house without a word. You were ashamed! You knew what you did was wrong.”
“I left because I was scared you’d never love me the same again. And I was right.”
“Don’t twist this. I’ve always loved you. I always will. But I will never approve of this relationship. Never.”
“Then that’s on you,” I said, my voice thick. “Because I’m not giving him up.”
“You don’t know what you’re doing. You think this is love, but it’s not. It’s obsession. It’s lust.”
“No, Dad. It’s the only real thing I’ve ever felt.”
were
The room fell into a heavy silence. Mom’s eyes were damp now. She looked at me with something close to heartbreak.
“We’re not trying to hurt you,” she said quietly. “We just want what’s best for you.”
“Then trust me to decide what that is.”
My father shook his head. “You’re blinded. That man… he destroyed your life. He took everything from you. I WON’T EVER
ALLOW YOU BE WITH HIM!”
The front door creaked.
I turned.
Killian.
He walked in, his expression unreadable, but his presence filled the entire space like a powerful aura.
“I didn’t mean to interrupt,” he said calmly.
My dad tensed. “You have no business here.”
Killian stepped closer, his tone still even, respectful, but firm. “With all due respect, sir… I do. Liana is not a child. She doesn’t need to be handed off to another man like property.”
“And you think you’re the better option?”
“I never claimed to be better,” Killian said. “But I love her. I choose her. Every single day.”
“You ruined her, you selfish bastard!”
“No, Dad,” I cut in, my chest heaving as my heart slammed against my ribs. “He didn’t ruin me. Can you–can you just stop
blaming him for God’s sake!”
He stared at me like I’d slapped him. His jaw clenched, eyes narrowing with something between disbelief and betrayal.
“You’re really standing here… defending him??”
I swallowed hard, my voice barely holding together. “Yes. I am.”
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His head shook slowly, as if he couldn’t recognize the girl standing in front of him. “Then you’re on your own.”
My knees nearly gave out, but I forced myself to stay still. To not crumble in from Www
tasted blood–anything to stop the tears burning in my eyes.
of him. I bit the inside of my cheek until I
“I’ve always been, Dad,” I whispered, a bitter smile tugging at my mouth. “You just never noticed.”
Mother placed a gentle hand on his arm. “Honey, please…”
He didn’t look at her.
He didn’t look at me.
He just stared past me, as if I was already gone.
“If you walk this path,” he said, his voice trembling with fury and something deeper–disappointment, maybe, or don’t expect my support. I won’t stand by and watch you throw your life away.”
“I’m not throwing anything away,” I said, even though my voice cracked. “You just don’t want to
His cold eyes finally locked with mine.
see
it.”
disgust-”
“Then maybe I can’t proudly call you my daughter anymore.”
The words gutted me. My breath caught in my throat.
“Dad…”
“You’ve lived seven years without me,” he said, each word sharp and final. “You might as well live the rest of
without me. Because from this day forward…”
Mother gripped his arm harder. “Don’t say it. Please-”
“I, Andrew Rivers, disown you.”
It was quiet after that. So quiet I could hear the blood rushing in my ears. He turned without another word, grabbed Mother’s hand, and walked toward the door.
He didn’t look back.
Not once.
And I—I just stood there. Frozen.
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