My Husband's Father Wants Me

Chapter 7

7

I stared into Damian's knowing eyes, and every ounce of the excitement that had filled my chest just seconds ago evaporated into thin air.

Suddenly, the pieces connected in my mind like puzzle pieces coming together.

The two women in the coffee shop who had positioned themselves just close enough for me to hear their conversation.

The way Mr. Ross had glanced at my sketches and signed the contract without a second thought.

That brief call before the signing.

Everything had unfolded so effortlessly that I had actually allowed myself to believe it was based on my own merit.

It wasn't that I doubted my talent, but... ‘Wasn't this considered a calculated handout?’

‘Wasn't this charity?’

"Why?" I rasped, my throat suddenly going dry. "Why did you buy them? Do you even have a use for these designs?"

"Arabella—" Damian began, his voice low and measured.

"Is this your way of giving me charity?" I interrupted, my pride flaring up despite my desperation.

"Gods, Arabella, no!" Damian stood up from his desk, rounding the polished marble as he approached me. "Why would you think that?"

He stopped just in front of me, reaching out as if to touch my shoulder, but I instinctively took a step back.

His hands froze in midair before slowly dropping back to his sides.

"I don't accept hand-outs," I said, my voice trembling. "I don't want things given to me that I didn't earn—"

"Damn it, Bella, have you actually looked at your own work?" he snapped softly, running a hand through his dark hair in visible frustration. "I agreed to your price because those designs are worth every single penny. In fact, $100,000 is an insult to your talent. You underpriced yourself."

I blinked, taken completely off guard.

"Y-you really think they're that good?"

"I think they are extraordinary," Damian whispered, closing the remaining distance between us until I could feel the heat of his body.

I attempted to take another step back, only to feel the hard edge of the marble desk press against my lower back. I was trapped between the heavy desk and a commanding man, every one of my senses short-circuiting at his proximity.

"M-Mr. Sterling—"

"Mr. Sterling, please! The CEO is currently occupied. You cannot barge in without an appointment!"

The frantic voice of the woman I met at the reception echoed from the outer hallway, followed by heavy, hurried footsteps.

"I don't need an appointment to see my own father," Ethan's arrogant voice shot back. "Get out of my way!"

My blood ran cold.

‘What was Ethan doing here?’

I didn't care about propriety anymore. I only cared about one thing: Ethan couldn't see me!

Panic seized me. Before my brain could process what I was doing, I threw my arms around Damian's neck, burying my face against the side of his chest, clinging to him like a lifeline.

"Please," I breathed against his skin, desperate, terrified of being seen by Ethan.

Without a second's hesitation, Damian's arms wrapped tightly around my waist, pulling my body flush against his broad chest, shielding me completely from the entrance.

The heavy mahogany doors slammed open.

"Sir," the receptionist gasped out, sounding flustered and out of breath. "I am so sorry, but the young master... he insisted on seeing you immediately."

"Leave us," Damian commanded smoothly, his voice unwavering.

From behind us, a sharp gasp cut through the room. Ethan had clearly realized his father wasn't alone. "Dad?!"

The sound of Ethan’s rapid footsteps faltered, coming to an abrupt halt… as if he had instinctively recoiled from the sight before him.

"Ahem," Ethan cleared his throat nervously, his usual arrogance faltering. "Sorry to interrupt your... fun, Dad. I didn't realize you had company. I was actually looking for Arabella. I thought she might have come here."

I held my breath, every muscle in my body locking up. My grip on Damian's shoulders tightened, and in response, Damian’s large hand pressed firmly into the small of my back, drawing me even closer into his chest, holding me as if I belonged to him.

“Please continue,” Ethan said and began to walk away from the door, but then he paused, causing my heart rate to spike again.