Obsessed Heir (Billionaire Heirs #4)

Chapter 37

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Abigail

“ Y ou see,” Barron adds with that bored note in his voice. “You didn’t need a helper after all.”

I don’t spare him a glance.

Miss Opal glances over her shoulder. “Of course I did,” she says, appalled. “And I still do.”

I draw on my reserve of patience to keep my mouth shut then think better of it. This might be a good time for her to talk to Barron about her concerns. “It’s okay, Miss Opal.” I give him a quick glance. “Barron shared a concern about the money that’s been spent because of me.”

“What?” she asks, her voice barely above a whisper. Clearly, she isn’t ready to discuss her medical issues.

“We can discuss it after dinner,” Barron says, stone-faced.

“You’ll-you’ll join us, dear?” she says, her voice wavering. “For dinner, I mean.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” I hate to disappoint her, but there’s no way I can sit through dinner with him. Not with this secrecy erupting between us.

“Did you have lunch?” Miss Opal asks.

“No, ma’am. I went ashore,” I reply, anticipating one of the famous McClelland maneuvers.

“Then you must join us,” Miss Opal says with finality.

I can’t lie to her, even if it’s to spare her a stressful evening. “I’m not really hungry, ma’am.”

“You’ll eat,” Barron announces.

Something between anger and annoyance crawls up my spine. I lift my chin and glare at him. “Don’t tell me what to do.”

Miss Opal straightens.

It’s one thing for me to follow his mother’s directions. I’m grateful for every penny she’s spent on me and every second of her time she’s shared. He, on the other hand, has only made my life difficult at every step along the way.

His expression turns darker. “You’ll eat if I have to tie you down and spoon-feed you myself.”

Of all the… “You don’t own me, Barron. You can’t?—”

Miss Opal’s gasp fills the room.

“My God,” she says. “You did tell her.” She turns to him. Even from the profile view, her face has lost all color.

Tell me? What does she think he told me?

She sits forward, shaking her head. “Please, Abby. The money Barron gave him doesn’t matter.”

“Mother,” Barron says in warning.

“You have to understand. Esteban wasn’t your father,” she continues, her eyes filling with tears. “His intentions weren’t?—”

“Enough.” Barron’s hand lands on her shoulder so abruptly it shakes her. “This isn’t the time.”

Tears spill over as I stand here, rooted in place.

Esteban wasn’t your father. The words sink in. Pieces fall together. The money Barron gave him doesn’t matter. Esteban wasn’t your father.

Odd comments filter into my mind. His intentions… Him telling friends how I’m too young. Fear fills my chest. I assumed he meant for me to be left alone. But what about when he was telling them to be patient? And how he talked about money he’d be getting in a couple of years.

The money Barron gave him doesn’t matter.

Oh my God. Reality hits me like an arctic blast, leaving me cold and numb.

“Oh no.” Miss Opal blinks, clearing her eyes. She brings her shaking fingers to her lips as she fits together her own pieces. Regret fills her features as she realizes what she’s revealed.

They knew, both of them. The entire time.

“Excuse me,” I mumble, more out of habit than conscious thought. I have to force frozen limbs to move, to put one foot in front of the other.

“Abby…” Miss Opal calls my name.

For once, I can’t bring myself to stop, even for her.

“I’m fine, Miss Opal,” I reply automatically, keeping my voice steady. My legs are unsteady, so I have to hold on to the wall until I reach my room.

I shut the door, guilt weighing heavily on me. Outside, the buildings are slowly disappearing as the ship leaves dock. I swallow hard, unable to make myself move closer to the glass door.

It actually isn’t as bad on this side, since I can see land nearby. I think back to James’s comment about concentrating on a flat line. The tightness in my stomach releases a bit.

Weak-kneed, I move to the bed, curling up, not wanting to deal with anyone. Hurt, anger, and confusion tangle together in my head and in my heart.

I don’t understand him—them—all of them…any of them. Barron bought me? His mother raised me, but to what end? I don’t understand what they wanted, what my fa…Esteban wanted.

I never understood how he could abandon me, leaving me to fend for myself when I was still a child. How, after taking care of me, he could walk away without looking back. Didn’t he ever think about me? About coming back for me?

Tears slide down my face in fat drops.

Didn’t he love me?