Curvy Girls Can't Date Bad Boys - Kelsie Stelting Page 0,48
They continued with details, discussing event planners. Apparently, Pam knew one of the best and would handle the wedding so I wouldn't have to be distracted from my senior year.
As if an arranged engagement with a movie star weren’t enough to do that.
“Wonderful,” my father said, “but it must stay with the people in this room until I can get a press conference together. I'm expecting no later than Friday. That will give us enough time to hit the evening news and then gain coverage for the rest of the weekend. Your fans will be devastated, Ryde,” he said with a smile that showed he wasn’t at all upset.
Ride flashed me an adoring grin. “It's all worth it for this one.”
Instead of looking at him, I faced my dad. “Why did you choose Ryde?”
Dad squared his shoulders. “Ryde is a good young man with a fine career ahead of him. He will support you well, and I can see he loves you dearly.”
I sneered at him. “I really am going to be sick.” I stood up from the table and left, going straight for the front door.
I didn't care about my coat or what my reaction looked like to the people inside. They were all out for themselves, and someone needed to be there for me.
I was out of here. Out of everyone thinking that they could control my life. I was in control. And if it meant my only possessions were the dress on my back and the contents of my clutch, I wouldn't be a pawn in their game—not anymore. This was my life.
I pushed through the heavy front door and out into the warm evening air. It was getting darker outside, but there was still plenty of light for me to see. I got my phone out of my clutch and texted Ronan.
Zara: I know you're probably busy, but can you come get me?
Ronan: Of course. Where are you?
I sent him a map pin and began walking down the driveway. My feet hurt in the stiletto heels I’d worn, but the betrayal from my dad hurt even worse.
“Zara!” he called from behind me. There were already about a hundred yards between us, but it felt like miles. Dad was running toward me, gaining ground fast. I ignored him and continued walking. But he caught up to me quickly and stood in front of me, his face shaking from rage.
“I've never seen such insolence. What is happening?”
“What?” I asked with a disgusted look toward the mansion behind him. “Worried that your precious little settlement with the Alexanders will fall through?”
His jaw firmed, and he hesitated, only for a fraction of a second, but it was long enough to give away his lie. “What are you talking about?”
“I knew you were going to set me up for an arranged marriage and that maybe it would help with your business, but I didn't know I would be part of an outright business deal. You basically prostituted me to the Alexanders!”
He rolled his eyes. “I wouldn't expect you to understand. You're only a child.”
“A child you want to marry off! Who’s the one missing something here?” My voice rose and echoed off the pavement.
Unfazed, Dad only shook his head. “You're not even going to ask me why I would make a deal with the Alexanders?”
“You’ve lied to me my entire life, and you want me to hear your explanation?”
Dipping his chin down, he said, “Don't be dramatic.”
“Dramatic?” I demanded. “I'm furious. And I have every right to be.”
“You can be mad all you want, but it doesn't change the fact that you’re marrying Ryde Alexander after graduation.”
“You're wrong,” I said flatly and continued walking.
He followed after me, right on my heels. “What does that mean?”
“I will not be marrying Ryde, or any other man you choose for me. You’re a pimp, not my father.”
“Then you are no daughter of mine.”
His words caught me, and I froze. The one thing I’d been afraid of, losing both my parents, was here. But I realized I already had. The father I’d had when my mom was around never would have sold me to the Alexanders. Never would have lied to me like this and had me engage in a lifelong contract.
He stared me down, his black eyes hard, like he was waiting for me to give up, but I was his daughter, no matter how much I hated that fact. There was no quitting inside me.