It was our first face-to-face encounter since our estrangement. If seeing Bentley was akin to getting hit by a truck, seeing my father was like getting trapped in the sands of time. Every shift of grain evoked a different memory.
The timbre of his voice as we walked through Central Park Zoo for my seventh birthday and he pointed out the different animals to me.
The proud smile on his face when I was presented at my debutante ball.
The shock when I told him I was starting my own PR firm instead of settling down and popping out babies like I “should.”
The defensiveness when I accused Georgia and Bentley of sleeping together behind my back, the fury when I refused to “take their relationship in stride” and give them my blessing, and finally, the utter coldness when he gave me his ultimatum.
If you walk out that door, there’s no coming back.
The weight of our history crushed my lungs. Emotions surged through me in a jumble of old anger and fresh nostalgia, and it took everything I had not to turn and run away like the coward I prided myself on not being.
I’d had many years to imagine what our first post-estrangement meeting would be like. They ranged from ignoring one other (most plausible) to a tearful, joyful reunion (least plausible).
Confronting each other outside my sister’s hospital room after she’d almost died was so implausible that it landed fully outside that range.
“Sloane.” My father might as well be talking to his driver, for all the emotion he showed. “How did you know Penelope was here?”
The bitter pill of disappointment cracked on my tongue. What had I been expecting, a hug?
“I…” I forced myself not to look at Rhea. “I got a message from Annie.”
I felt bad about throwing her under the bus, but she was already fired. Rhea wasn’t, and Pen needed her.
Plus, I doubted my family would check with Annie. Once they fired someone, that person didn’t exist to them.
Caroline’s eyes narrowed. “You’ve never met that woman.” “That you know of.” I arched one brow. “How would I know who she was otherwise?” “Penelope could’ve told you.” “She could’ve. But she didn’t.”
“This is ridiculous.” My stepmother redirected her glare toward my father. “George, kick her out. She stopped being a Kensington the day she humiliated this family by leaving it—my God, the number of whispers I had to endure during my charity meetings after that—and she—”
“You can’t kick me out,” I snapped. “This is public property. You don’t own the hospital, no matter how much money you donate to it.”
“Perhaps not, but we can get a restraining order against you for lying to the hospital staff and intruding on a private family affair.”
“You can certainly try. My—”
“Enough!” my father thundered. Caroline and I lapsed into mutinous silence. “This is neither the time nor place to engage in petty squabbles.”
He turned the full force of his flinty gaze on me. “Sloane, you are legally a Kensington,” he said. “But you gave up all rights to participate in this family the day you walked out of my office. That includes contacting Penelope in any way, shape, or form. I made that clear.”
My nails dug into my palm. “She’s a kid, and she needs someone who—”
“What she needs is none of your concern. You have no more claim on her well-being than a stranger on the street.” Disappointment shadowed his face. “We could’ve solved this. I gave you an opportunity to make amends, and you ignored it. The consequences are yours to reap.”
His dismissal fell like an axe blade, severing my power of speech.
The beginnings of a storm brewed behind my ribcage, but as always, it was all sound and no fury. No rain, no tears. Just an endless, ceaseless pressure that yearned to break but couldn’t.
“Rhea, go inside Penelope’s room and stay there,” he said. “If anyone except myself, Caroline, Georgia, Bentley, or hospital staff try to enter, call security and let me know immediately.”
“Yes, Mr. Kensington,” she said quietly. She flicked a worried glance at me before she hurried past and disappeared into the room. “The doctor says Penelope is doing fine and in no danger,” my father told Georgia and Bentley. “Stay if you’d wish. I’m heading back to the office.”
“And I’m meeting Buffy Darlington at the Plaza.” Caroline gathered her coat tight around her. “We have a silent auction to plan.”
Neither acknowledged me nor checked on Pen on their way out. I wasn’t surprised they’d ignored me, but the way they bypassed Pen pissed me off. I guess I should’ve expected it; their parenting style was best described by the phrase “doing the bare minimum.” My blood hummed with the aftershocks of our confrontation.
After years of picturing the moment, it’d been both overwhelming and underwhelming, but it wasn’t over yet.
“I did not expect to see that show today.” Georgia tilted her head. “What did Daddy mean when he said he gave you an opportunity to make amends?”
Next to her, Bentley remained silent. He hadn’t said a word since he saw me, which was for the best. If he opened his mouth, I’d punch him in it. Twice.
“He emailed me about your pregnancy.” I smiled over the churn in my gut. I shouldn’t have eaten that chicken salad for lunch. “I would say congratulations, but I’m the only person here who doesn’t lie.”
Bentley had the grace to redden. Georgia didn’t.
“That’s okay,” she said with maddening calm. “The new town house Daddy bought us is congratulations enough. He’s thrilled he’s finally getting a grandchild. Speaking of which, are you still single?” She glanced at my bare ring finger, her patronizing tone grating against my already-raw nerves. “I can’t imagine why.”
Forget punching Bentley. I was inches away from punching my sister in her perfect, heart-shaped face.
“Neither can I.” The velvety interjection draped over me like a protective blanket. “That’s why I asked her out before those other idiots beat me to it.”
Warmth brushed my side. A second later, a strong arm wrapped around my waist, drawing me closer and grounding the storm brewing inside me.
Only one person had the ability to do that.
“Xavier Castillo.” Georgia straightened, her gaze sweeping over his tousled dark hair and sculpted body. He wasn’t the preppy boarding school type she’d always gravitated toward, but he exuded a raw sensuality few could match. That, plus his family’s fortune was triple that of Bentley’s.
