He was right—I was brought up with the Tanners. As a kid, I was treated like a princess by my father. Those memories had become so vague that I could barely remember them. Our family of three had once been so happy.
“Dad, didn’t you disown me? It was even published in the papers. Everyone in Avenport knows. I’m only the firstborn of the Tanner family by name.” Steadily, I lifted the cup of coffee to my lips and sipped. The bitterness suited the atmosphere of the moment.
“How dare you even mention that! If you had agreed to marry Mr. Lucas of the Goldstein family, our family would be listed among the top richest and not a third-rate little household.” At the mention of this incident, Nathan’s face became black like thunder.
“Tell me, do you and Christopher have something going on?”
I sighed. “Prior to this, when Lyle had threatened that he would tell you about this, I had guessed that you would ask me, and I was right. Nevertheless, Dad, you must understand that I have no control over a man’s decisions. If I do, then why would Lyle divorce me?”
“Since you are already Christopher’s mistress, what’s so hard about using your feminine wiles? Just take a page from Yvette’s and Crystal’s books, for goodness’ sake! They do everything better than you do. If you had been smart enough to marry Christopher Lane, I would have nothing to complain about you.” Nathan shot me a hateful glance as if to say I was good for nothing.
Hearing that had me sick to my stomach. My own father had just called me somebody’s mistress, and he was feeling shameful about it while, at the same time, he wanted to get some benefit from that. How ironic!
“So, Dad, are you sure that there’s something between Christopher and me?” I spoke plainly.
“Don’t try to deny it. Crystal has told me everything. I’m telling you that it’s okay for you to hook up with Christopher, but try to keep it under wraps, or you would disgrace the Tanner family. He would never marry you, so you might as well get some benefit for the Tanner family while you still can. When he dumps you later, I can still give you a hand. Keep in mind that the Tanner family is your family,” Nathan said this with displeasure with a grunt.
I must admit that Nathan was totally shameless when he talked about benefits. He did not know how despicable he sounded. That man could even say such things in front of me, his daughter, without flinching.
Right now, he was being totally unreasonable, just like the time when he wanted me to marry Lucas.
“Dad, you don’t need my help at all. Crystal is a famed new school artist, and long ago, she even saved Christopher. Let her talk to him on your behalf. Even the crumbs that fall through the hands of the Lane family are enough to feed the Tanner family. Besides, I’m sure Crystal is more than willing to help you.”
“Don’t talk nonsense. Is Crystal the type who helps others for a reward? She is a public figure, so you must not do anything that ruins her reputation.” Nathan’s expression turned serious.
“Is my reputation unimportant, then?” I could not help asking.
“You have no reputation to speak of!” Nathan sneered. “If you still think of me as your father, just do as I say.”
Indeed, it was true—I had no reputation. When I divorced Lyle, which, by the way, was not my fault, the public condemned me for my incompetence and laughed at me for being an unworthy wife. They also made fun of me for coming between Crystal and Lyle.
I took a deep breath and sighed. “Dad, I just can’t figure out why you don’t think of me as your daughter but as an instrument to exploit. Did you really love me when I was a child, or was it all just my imagination? You treat Yvette well and love Crystal like your own daughter but refuse to show me any care nor concern.”
Nathan gazed deeply into my eyes for a moment, and a complicated emotion flashed across his dark eyes. “You’re the eldest, so you should bear the heaviest burden.”
“Perhaps so, but I cannot help you with this. Dad, ask someone else.”
I was the eldest, the firstborn, of the Tanner family—just how lame could this excuse be!
My phone had been vibrating just now, so I went to a street corner to check it. There were a lot of missed calls from Sabrina and Christopher. Suddenly I remembered that I had promised to accompany Christopher to a friend’s gathering. I forgot it all when I was with Nathan just now.
Oh, dear! Christopher is surely angry.
Just then, a call came from Sabrina, and she yelled at me the moment I answered it. “Yvonne, what game are you playing? It’s my idol’s birthday today, and we agreed to celebrate together. How dare you disappear? Are you looking for trouble? Come over here at once!”
