Chapter 4 - THE FATHER WHO SOLD HER TWICE
Arthur called on Monday morning.
Paige stared at the unfamiliar number before answering.
“Hello?”
“Paige.”
Her father's voice sounded older.
She said nothing.
“Are you all right?”
The question was so absurd that she nearly laughed.
“Are you?”
“Please don't start.”
She looked toward the garden.
“You walked me down an aisle toward a man who nearly killed me.”
Arthur sighed.
“I know you're angry.”
“Angry?”
“Colin promised he wouldn't hurt you.”
Paige closed her eyes.
“You believed him because believing him was convenient.”
“That's unfair.”
“No. Unfair was making me pay for your debt.”
Arthur was silent.
Then he said something that changed the conversation.
“Gabriel Rossy isn't who you think he is.”
Paige frowned.
“What do you mean?”
“His family has been after Richard for years.”
“I know.”
“Then you understand he's using you.”
“Yes.”
Arthur sounded startled.
“You do?”
“Unlike you, he told me.”
That afternoon, Paige met with attorney Vivian Mercer.
Vivian was in her forties, sharply dressed, and entirely unimpressed by Gabriel Rossy's reputation.
They met in a private office in the city.
Gabriel did not attend.
Vivian explained that Arthur's debt did not give anyone a legal claim over Paige.
The wedding had been stopped before vows were completed.
She was unmarried.
She had the right to seek protection from Colin.
She could also pursue charges concerning the violence she'd experienced.
Paige stared at the papers.
“You're saying I can file against him?”
“Yes.”
“Even though he's rich?”
“Yes.”
“Even though his father knows judges?”
Vivian's expression hardened.
“That may complicate the process. It doesn't erase your rights.”
Paige looked down.
For two years, she had believed the law was a locked door.
Now someone was handing her a key.
That night, Arthur appeared outside Vivian's office.
He looked disheveled.
“Paige!”
She stopped.
Two security personnel stood nearby but did not intervene.
Arthur approached.
“Please. We need to talk.”
Paige folded her arms.
“Then talk.”
He glanced at the guards.
“Privately.”
“No.”
He looked wounded.
“I'm your father.”
“I remember.”
Arthur lowered his voice.
“Richard says he'll ruin me if you don't come back.”
Paige stared.
“He's threatening you?”
“Yes.”
“And you came here to ask me to fix it?”
Arthur looked away.
The answer was obvious.
Something inside Paige finally settled.
For years, she had wanted her father to choose her.
Now she understood he had been choosing himself all along.
“You need a lawyer,” she said.
“Paige—”
“And if Richard threatens you, you should report it.”
Arthur reached for her arm.
She stepped back.
“Don't.”
He froze.
She looked at him for a long moment.
“I love the father I thought I had.”
His eyes filled.
“But I won't sacrifice myself to keep him alive anymore.”
May you like
She walked away.
This time, she didn't look back.
