Mary's POV
My breath hitched so violently I felt like I was going to pass out on the spot. Did this man just say... in my son's bedroom? So, this arrogant middle-aged man is... Ryder's father?
"She... she is Mr. Ryder's girlfriend," Dante finally answered, his voice resigned and trembling.
"Girlfriend?" the man repeated the word with a condescending tone.
Dante immediately took a step forward, bowed his head, and whispered something into the man's ear. I couldn't hear what was said, but I could see how his aged face abruptly changed.
His brows snapped together, his eyes widening slightly before narrowing again with a dangerous glint. "Richard Collins' daughter?" he muttered in disbelief.
I took a slow step back, feeling intimidated. But my instinct for politeness took over. "Excuse m
