Chapter 48
YASMINE
I shuffle into the kitchen and, thank my luck, I’m alone.
The last person I want to see today is Stephanie, or I might hit her, even though I’ve never hit anyone before.
Last night at dinner, she pretended to still be upset about her encounter with Cole.
Knowing what I do about her, thanks to Cole’s past disclosures, I see right through her act.
She’s a liar, and a convincing one at that.
I can’t comprehend how my dad has fallen for her lies.
Although she’s a good actress. I might suggest to my dad that he should cast her in a movie because she could easily win an Oscar.
Cole and I have been texting back and forth all night, and he’s apologized several times, but I wish I could make him understand that none of this is his fault.
I even tried to speak to my dad about what happened yesterday, but he wouldn’t listen, cutting me off as soon as I brought it up.
All I want to do today is get it over with and go home with Cole tomorrow.
I had secretly hoped that she had booked herself into a hotel for the night to avoid seeing my dad on the wedding day, but she seems unfazed by bad luck mumbo jumbo. Like a bad penny, she just keeps showing up when I wish she would fuck off out of my father’s life.
Moving closer to the window to get a good look, from the corner of my eye, I spot Stephanie, or Annie, although I much prefer calling her the she-devil, talking to someone.
I’m still shaken to my core from yesterday’s revelation.
While Stephanie might think she’s got the upper hand, my steadfast resolve won’t be shaken, and I’m hoping between now and the ceremony she fucks up.
I’m just waiting for the right moment to pounce, and my spider sense is tingling, telling me this might be it.
“No way,” I gasp; my nose is now completely squished against the glass.
I eye her suspiciously, my interest piqued when I recognize the guy she’s talking animatedly to.
It’s Luca.
The guy from the basketball game.
Cole’s best friend she was screwing behind Cole’s back.
And he’s dressed in a white jacket to make him look like one of the catering staff, but I know he’s not. He’s a fucking lawyer and does the same job as Cole. Only according to Cole, his business is failing, as Luca is doing some underhanded dealings behind his clients’ backs that he shouldn’t be.
It seems like Stephanie and Luca are the perfect match. Two grifters.
Shit. Are they still together?
If they are, I put my entire earnings from my Wildcard app on them trying to strip my father of his wealth. Especially having learned from Max that Stephanie’s father disowned her, leaving her with nothing.
In shock, I watch Stephanie grab Luca’s hand and drag him off to the side, down the garden path that leads to the secret grotto my father had a garden architect install for him; it even has a water feature surrounded by shrubs and trees, making it feel intimate and romantic.
The lying bitch is having an affair before she’s even married.
“Everything looks great, don’t you think, Mina?” My father’s bright voice appears from behind me.
“Eh, yeah.” I turn to look at him, and my heart swells in my chest. At sixty-three, he’s still so handsome, and he looks happier than a sand clam.
I hate to be the one to burst his bubble, but I won’t take any more of this farce of a day, and having just seen what I have, my unyielding determination to show my father what he’s marrying grows stronger than ever.
“Let’s go for a walk.” I hold out my arm, urging him to extend his elbow so I can loop my arm through, and I pray to the gods above that he accepts my offer.
“That’s a great idea. I’m so glad you could move past yesterday,” he says, sounding jolly, holding his elbow out, and I breathe out a sigh of relief that he’s so agreeable to walk with me. “You always were a smart girl.”
Smarter than him, that’s for sure. “C’mon, let’s go down to the secret garden.”
I know this will tickle him as he loves showing off his pride and joy.
The water feature looks more like it belongs to the gardens of a royal palace than a house in the Hollywood Hills, but if it makes him happy, then I’m happy for him.
“Let’s not talk. Let’s enjoy,” I suggest cunningly as we make our way out of the house and down the spiraled path between the head-height hedges.
“I feel like one of those gentlemen from Bridgerton. You know when they promenade?”
“I’ve never watched it.”
“Oh, you should, Mina. It’s Annie’s favorite.” He taps my hand which is wrapped around his bicep.
“Right.” Of course it would be her favorite.
From what I’ve heard, it’s all about wealthy women trying to land an even wealthier husband, and that’s not really my idea of entertainment.
Only she’s not watching it for entertainment; I think she watches it to get tips on how to bag a rich man of her own.
A man like my father.
When she suggested last night over dinner that I should lighten my hair because it was so dark and then asked if I had ever considered Botox injections for my wrinkly forehead, I knew I should have told my father where to shove his wedding invitation, but I didn’t.
I held my tongue and smiled instead, and told her how I preferred to be natural.
My mom taught me better than that and I would never disrespect someone so openly.
I still can’t understand what Cole ever saw in her.
Although, as I said before, she’s a great actress, pretending to be someone she isn’t. Every single part of her is fake.
For a few minutes, Dad and I stroll quietly, enjoying the scenery, my pulse quickening as we wander closer to the center, where I hope we find Stephanie with Luca.
Right on cue, that’s when I hear feminine wicked laughter, Stephanie’s sugary sweet voice telling Luca to fuck her harder, and my father comes to a standstill, his face turning ghostly white.
Suddenly, I feel wretched that I’ve had to stoop to these lengths to show him what she’s really like. I never wanted to break his heart but if he didn’t listen, showing him was my only option.
“Just a few hours, Luca. Then we can take him for everything. You and I are going to be so rich.”
“Fuck, yeah, baby.” Luca pants. “Hugh’s a fool for not signing a prenup.”
“I’ll show my daddy how resilient and resourceful I am and how wrong he was about me. He’s another idiot. If only he hadn’t cut off my allowance. But don’t worry, we’ll show him and I’ll be richer than he ever was. Just you wait, Luca.”
I have no idea what my father’s heart must be feeling but mine is hammering in my chest.
“He believed every word I said. If only he knew the truth about you and me. The fool thought I was faithful.” Another laugh leaves her lungs between the pants, only this time it sounds cruel as she unfolds her plans to leave my father broke.
“And his daughter is a pussy for not standing up for herself. If only Hugh knew the truth about me screwing you while you were with Cole.” Luca utters harsh words, dropping more truth bombs that expose who they really are: con artists.
“Oh God, Luca. Yes, right there,” Stephanie moans, and I want to vomit on the spot.
“Fuck his daughter, every cent of his money will be mine. Everyone falls for my lies. He’ll be dancing to my tune on our first dance.
” Her mocking cackle echoes through the empty garden, remaining hidden behind the hedges. “He doesn’t even suspect me either.”
Listening to the woman he trusted, the one he loves, plotting against him to take everything, is brutal.
For a brief moment, I think my dad is going to turn a blind eye, especially when he lets go of my arm and he turns around, placing his hands on his hips, his head dropping like he’s completely defeated.
The sound of Stephanie and Luca screwing makes me want to run for the hills, but when I place my hand on my dad’s shoulder, it jolts him back to life, and I know I should stay and be here for him.
My dad points to the way we came in, then puts his finger on his lips, telling me to stay quiet.
With only one way in and out, I can already tell he has a plan as we tiptoe out of my dad’s secret garden that Stephanie has now tainted. Everything she touches turns to shit.
I’m just so relieved my dad got to hear what she’s really like without me looking like the baddie.
“I won’t let her get away with this.” My dad keeps his voice low, barely even a whisper, as we eventually step into the main garden. “I’m so sorry I didn’t believe you about her.” He pulls me into his arms.
“She’s only after your money, Dad.” I give him a squeeze, inhaling his spicy aftershave that reminds me of my childhood.
“Even though your mother and I divorced, just know that she’s the best thing to ever happen to me because I have you,” he states, sounding melancholy. “I screwed everything up.”
“That’s all in the past now, Dad. We’ve all moved on and Mom found someone. She’s really happy now. You will find your person too, eventually.” Just not with Stephanie.
“You worked Anni—I mean, Stephanie, out before me. I’ve been a fool. A silly old fool.”
With my ear laid on his chest, his heart beats strong, “You’re not old, Dad, you still have so much more to achieve.
Forget her, she’s an idiot for not seeing how wonderful you are and more than just a cash cow.
” He’ll find someone new soon, I just know it.
“Someone is waiting just around the corner for you,” I tell him.
“What would I do without you, Mina?”
“You almost lost me because of her, but I kept my mouth shut to keep the peace.”
“I’m so sorry,” he grumbles as if realizing something. “I need to apologize to Cole. Do you think he will forgive me?”
“You don’t have to do that, sir. There is nothing to forgive.” Cole’s voice breaks through our heart-to-heart, sending my pulse racing.
“Cole,” I exclaim, leaning out of our hug, and I run to him. “You came back?” I throw myself into his arms.