Building Her Throne Burying My Heart (Claire) novel Chapter 30

“Here are your options,” Halley said, his voice cold and flat. “You can come home, or I’ll send you ten thousand a month. That’s it. Make up your mind.”

He didn’t even look at me, just turned his back and kept talking. “And don’t bother trying to threaten me. I gave you life. It’s your duty to help me. Don’t act like you’re doing me a favor.”

I stared at the man who called himself my father. My heart was pounding so loud it hurt. “Would you actually be happier if I just disappeared?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

My hands curled into fists. I glanced at Halley. Most people crave the love of their parents. For me, it had always been out of reach. Now, even the hope of it felt impossible.

He snorted. “I don’t want to hear that kind of talk. If you’d ever shown a shred of ambition, you wouldn’t be in this mess. I’ll send the money later. Do whatever you want.”

He couldn’t help but add, “How did I end up with a son like you? It’s a curse.”

My eyes wandered to the photo of my mother sitting in the glass cabinet. She was smiling, an expression I hadn’t seen in so long it was barely a memory. That smile hit me right in the chest, a wave of grief so sharp my eyes stung. She used to protect me. Now she was gone.

I forced myself to swallow the ache and managed a bitter smile. “If one day you wake up and realize everything around you is fake, that’s when you’ll know real despair.”

I turned to leave, but Halley called after me. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

I paused, letting a small smile tug at my lips. “You’ll figure it out someday.”

He didn’t buy a word of it. “Don’t think you can trick me with this nonsense,” he snapped.

Fine. Let him enjoy his perfect little world. When the truth finally crashes down, I’ll be the first to see his face.

“Just transfer the money. On time. I don’t want a cent missing.”

I opened the study door and ran right into Alice, who was still standing in the hallway, clearly caught off guard.

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