Page 13 of By His Vow

Dad used to come and go from the house with zero consideration for the people inside.

He’d whisk Mom away on lavish holidays, leaving us behind with Lucie, our nanny, without a second thought.

He enrolled us in boarding school when he decided he wanted the house to himself.

He told us that we’d give our lives working for Warner Group. There was never an option for us to do anything else.

And that’s only a few examples that I can think of right now. Thankfully, I didn’t have all that much to do with him at work, but I know he was just as bad—if not worse—there.

The world we live in is controlled by men. What they say goes, and their stupid actions are brushed under the carpet.

I’m actually amazed that Dad hasn’t put into this ludicrous will of his that Kingston is allowed to be unfaithful.

We all know his father hasn’t been in recent years.

And mine…acid washes in my stomach as I consider how he could have treated Mom over the years.

All the business trips…honestly, I wouldn’t put it past him to have had a woman in every state and every country he’s been to.

They’re probably all going to turn up at the funeral with handkerchiefs in hand, all trying to outdo each other on the grieving widow front.

The image plays out in my mind so clearly. It takes everything I have not to bark out a laugh.

This is it. My father has finally pushed me to my limit.

I’ve lost my fucking mind.

“Tatum, are you okay?” Richard asks in concern. “Do you need to step out for some air?”

“If I leave this room before we discuss all of this, there’s a chance you’ll never see me again,” I confess, finally lowering my ass to the seat. Although not the one beside Kingston. He can fuck off if he thinks I’m ever going to follow his orders.

“Is there anything else to discuss?” Kingston asks. “We’re now officially dating. In a few weeks, I’ll ask you to marry me, and so on.”

My stomach knots painfully. He makes it sound so easy. There isn’t any kind of hesitation or concern in his voice that he’s about to throw his life into chaos.

Why doesn’t he care?

I know I do.

“That’s basically it. There are a few other little things but?—”

“Like what?”

“The prenup. Location for the wedding, honeymoon. What you’re allowed access to while living as Kingston’s wife.”

“Whatever,” I mutter. I don’t care about what I’m “allowed”. I don’t want anything from Kingston. I have my own money. Whatever I spend these days, I’ve earned. I can’t remember when I last touched a cent of my father’s money.

“All I need from the two of you is a signature agreeing to the terms, and then I’ll let you go away and process all of this.”

“I have to decide now?” I blurt. “Can’t I…you know, think about it?”

“What is there to think about?” Kingston asks.

Everything.

“There’s only one option here, and you know it.”

I close my eyes for a beat as I think about my life. My job, my apartment, my hopes and dreams for the future.