Page 46 of The Client
Nausea burns the base of my throat.
“I can see why he chose you, of course.” She laughs, and then leans closer to the mirror to dab on more lipstick, glancing at me as she does. “It’s because you remind him of me. You’re the next best thing he can get. The question is, will you stay now that you know the truth? Is a big dick and cold cash enough to forget that he’s thinking of me when he fucks you, darling?”
“That’s unnecessary.”
She pats my bare shoulder with a sharp, cold hand. “It’s the truth. We women owe each other that, don’t we? You’re just a pawn in a rich man’s game, darling. Remember that and things will go easier on you.Au revoir.” She sprinkles her fingers at me and walks out with her head high and her hand on her stomach.
The room has become stifling, so I leave the restroom and head to the balcony to gulp warm night air before I suffocate.
Rhys told me his business wasn’t mine. At the time, I had no choice but to agree.
But now, it seems, everyone knows aboutmybusiness but me.
17
RHYS
My father livesfor public confrontation in all its forms.
Making a scene is his forte. I’m not sure he’s ever gotten through a disagreement without resorting to theatrics and exuberant hand gestures and ending his performance with a dramatic flourish that may as well conclude with “and scene.”
That’s probably why my grandfather never comes to events like this.
That’s also why my father corners me at the bar.
When I tell him I need to find my date and try to walk away, he throws an arm around my shoulder and loudly proclaims that he knew I’d be thrilled about my stepmother’s big news. Then he shouts at the bartender to pour us another round to celebrate. All the party guests around us are watching, grinning, nodding at Dad’s bullshit display of fatherly spirit.
What he’ll never understand is that I’m not upset about the baby.
I feel nothing, and it’s deliciously sweet.
At one time, this news would have caused so much friction on my nerves that I would have imploded.
Our drinks are poured, and my father raises his in a toast. I play along, go through the motions, but after our glasses clink, I set mine on the bar without sipping. Dad doesn’t seem to notice.
“It’s a shame Gordon got to you first, Rhys. I didn’t mean for you to find out like that.”
“Right, because you were planning for me to find out when you made your big public announcement later tonight,” I say. “I’d think if you were so concerned about me finding out, you would’ve come to me directlybeforespreading it around a room of three hundred people.”
Refusing to take the blame for anything, per usual, he spreads his hands innocently and says, “Celine was just so excited that she couldn’t help but tell a few people! It’s not my fault word spread so fast.”
“You could have called and told me when you got the test result back,” I point out.
He shrugs. “Truth be told, I figured the news would come as a shock to you. I suppose I didn’t want to hurt your feelings any sooner than need be.”
“My feelings aren’t hurt.”
Grinning around the rim of his glass, he downs half of his scotch and then says, “Come on, kid. I stole your girl right out from under you, married her first, and now I’ve knocked her up. That’s gotta sting a little, eh?”
Ah. So that’s what he wants. Confirmation that he’s won, that he’s gotten under my skin. But he won’t get it. Slipping my hands into my pockets, I back away, leaving the drink untouched.
“Honestly?” I say. “The only part of this that stings is knowing that another child is going to have to grow up with you as a father.”
I turn on my heel and walk off into the crowd.
“Rhys!”
I keep walking, even as he chases after me.
