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“Did you know she’s been a single mother since before Ava was born? That Ava has a genetic condition, and Camila has worked harder than anyone I know to provide for all of Ava’s needs? That the initial reason she agreed to marry me was so she could afford better healthcare for her daughter? How does that make her a bad person?”
I lock eyes with him, but I don’t give him the chance to respond.
“If anyone is at fault in this relationship, it’s me. I was the one who offered her money to marry me so I could satisfy your stupid clause. Because I didn’t want to let you or the family down.”
I let my words sink in before continuing.
“But you decided to trust someone who dated Camila for a short time over seven years ago—someone who lost his mind the moment he learned she was marrying me. Even though he’s a married man and has been for a while now.”
I arch a brow at my father, who’s the perfect picture of shock as he learns all the little details behind Owen’s motives.
“I didn’t know all of that, son,” he admits. “All Owen said was that he dated her a long time ago and had to break up with her because she had drug issues.”
My eyes widen, disbelief flooding through me. If I didn’t know better, I’d say they were about to pop out of my skull.
“Drugs? For fuck’s sake, Father. Do you really think so little of me?”
This time he has the decency to lower his gaze when I look at him.
“Do you really think I would have signed an agreement with someone who wasn’t a good, upstanding citizen? Camila is the best woman I know on earth. And I feel sorry for you that you won’t get to know her or her daughter, because I won’t allow you anywhere near them.”
I hold his gaze, my voice firm. “When we’re ready to move to Chile, I’ll let you know—so you can leave.”
His brows shoot up to his hairline. “But I thought it was an arranged marriage. Why would she and her daughter move to Chile with you?” he asks, puzzled.
“Because as we got to know each other, things changed, and I couldn’t be more in love with that woman and her daughter,” I shout, my voice rising with emotion.
He closes his eyes tightly.
“Thanks to them, I’m a better man. And I have God as my witness, Father, I won’t let anything or anyone hurt them. And I think you’ve done enough.”
My father opens his mouth, but nothing comes out. A whirlwind of emotions battles across his face.
I give him a few minutes to recover, after all, I dropped a lot on him over a short period of time. But when he doesn’t say anything, I know he needs more time. And right now, I need to check on my wife and my daughter.
He can calm down and come to terms with how bad he fucked it up on his own.
I walk toward the door and open it wide. My father nods as he walks toward me and exits the studio.
In the living room, my mother, Gabo, and Isa are talking animatedly. But the moment they see us, everyone quiets.
“I’m going to go get Camila and Ava. We’ll have lunch shortly,” I announce as I make my way to the stairs.
When I reach Ava’s room, I knock twice before a very happy, very chirpy Ava opens the door.
“Yes, Boss Man?” she asks with a smile.
I scan her room until I find my wife. She’s sitting on Ava’s bed with Mrs. Evans. The moment our eyes lock, a pang of guilt hits my heart. Camila looks so nervous. I hate that our wedding day had to go this way.
Fucking Owen.
“Is everything okay?” Camila asks in a small voice as she gets up from the bed and makes her way to me.
I give her my best reassuring smile. “Yes, of course. I’m ready for lunch, and I know the duckling was starving. Let’s go,” I say as I turn to head out of the room, but Camila stops me.
“Vicente,” she says as she raises a brow, making me chuckle.
“Yes, wife. Everything is alright. I had a conversation with my father, and that’s done.”