Stealing the Heart of Mr. Steele

Chapter 16 [Cordelia

"I thought he would be here by now," my mother's heels make a gentle clicking noise as she walks back and forth, "Maybe he doesn't care for her as much as we had hoped."

"No, he'll be here," my father chimes in. "Atlas is loyal. It won't matter that they are divorced. He'll be eager to reconcile..."

"If he doesn't get here soon, she's going to figure out something is going on," My mother hisses. "What if she finds out that you're pretending.

"Meghan, you're worrying for nothing," my father's gravely voice assures her. "The department head owes me. None of his staff will say anything against us. Anyone who speaks out of turn will lose their position."

My father is lying to me. Not only that, but Dr. Davis, a man who didn't even know me, put his career on the line to tell me the truth. I don't know what I did to deserve his kindness, but I am grateful he was here for me today. Without him, I don't think I would have the courag I push open the door. It makes a small creaking noise and both of their heads turn to face me.

"Cordelia," my mother blushes, her hands flying to her chest in surprise. "You've been gone a long time. We were becoming worried and..."Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

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"You can stop your charade," I accuse, not waiting for her to finish her sentence. "I know both lying to me."

"Young lady," my father grumbles as he sits up straight, no longer trying to appear weak or tired. "Do NOT get that tone with me..."

"Look at you!" I am shouting now, not caring if anyone can hear. "I know what a heart attack looks like, Father, and you are not sick. If you were, you wouldn't have half the energy you have now."

His face puffs up with anger as he roars "How dare accuse your mother and me of dishonesty when you were the one hiding the challenges in your marriage? What did you do, Cordelia? Were you cheating on him?"

"How dare I? How dare YOU," I point at the both of them, "ever since I was a kid you've use guilt to try and manipulate me into doing whatever it was that you wanted me to do. I heard you talking a minute ago and I know..." "You were eavesdropping!" my mother looks horrified, her mouth open and her eyes wide. "How could you

"Yes," I hiss, seeing no reason to deny it. "I was listening to your conversation. I hear everything you two were saying and I'm glad I did, otherwise, I would have fallen for this trick," I wave my arm in the direction of my father's hospital bed. "To save you both some trouble, "But you are the one who made this mess," my mother insists. "You ruined our business with your brash actions and I..

"Why is it MY problem that your business is failing?" my father blanches and my mother clutches har

necklace both disturbed by my lack of filial piety. "You should have done a better job running it, rather than sell your daughters to some business tycoon as brides!" I gasp, finally saying what has been in the back of my mind for years

My parents look at me, stunned. Taking this as a sign, I turn on my heel and head towards the door.

Into the silence, my mother throws the final dagger of words right into the center of my heart. "You are the reason your sister is gone. If it weren't for you...."

"Maybe I am to blame," I concede. 'But I hardly think that should end with a life sentence tied to a man who doesn't love me."

I turn back to look at them both, hoping to see some sign of compassion. There is none. Only condemnation, anger, and disappointment.

It doesn't matter what I do, what I say, or who I become. In their eyes, I will never be the daughter they want me to be. She is lost to them.

Just as that thought threatens to drag me under, something occurs to me. Everything about this situation has been about me taking the blame for other people's problems. My sister's, failings, and the company's failings, all somehow became my burden alone. But in reality. It was never about me. It has always been about them.

"Your problems are no longer my problems," I announce as I open the door. "I'm starting my own business. Good luck with yours."