“Horace…” Bran tried another approach. “Since my father is responsible for the child, Carina will have plenty of money to take care of the baby. All she needs is family to help her raise your grandchild.”
“Your dad denies being the father.” Horace sounded resigned. “We could take him to court, but it would ruin the family’s reputation.”
“That hardly seems important right now.”
“What would you know? You had everything handed to you on a silver platter. I had to work to get where I am.”
Bran didn’t bother to tell him he’d rejected his inheritance to prove he could make it on his own. Horace wouldn’t believe him, anyway. “What’s more important—your position in society or your daughter?”
“If you think Carina’s so important, you can have her.” Horace’s chair scraped again as he rose to his feet. “I told her to get an abortion, but she refused. So as far as I’m concerned, she made her choice.”
“No, leave it on.” Carina lifted her chin, red-rimmed eyes brimming with tears. “I asked Bran to let me hear it.”
Stephanie slowly withdrew her hand from the switch that would’ve silenced the speaker. She studied her fingernails, pretending she wasn’t paying attention to Horace Parker’s hurtful speech.
Branson asked Stephanie to sit with Carina to ensure she didn’t come blasting into the room. But if Steph had known this would happen, she would’ve run the other direction. After an eternity, a door slammed, and the torture was over.
Carina sat like a statue, staring at the wall, tear-tracks staining her perfect complexion.
You were right, MawMaw. I almost feel bad for hating her, but I’m not as good a person as you.
“I’m sure he didn’t mean it.” Steph struggled to find something encouraging to say. “He didn’t know you were listening. He was probably blowing off steam.”
Carina’s blank expression was etched in stone. “I’ve never pleased him. Nothing I ever accomplished was worth anything. My life was a total failure until I started dating Branson, but I couldn’t even do that right.”
Steph couldn’t stand the haunted look on her face, so she dropped her gaze back to her fingernails. “What are you gonna do?”
“I don’t know. What’s it matter to you?” Her flat tone was eerie, like she was dead, or wishing she was.
“I’ll help you with the baby.” Why did I say that? It’s too late to take it back. Maybe she’ll say no.
“Really? I suppose you’ve got a huge stash of money somewhere? Or is Branson giving you a big raise, soon?”
“I meant I’d help you take care of the baby. I could sit for you sometimes… give you a break.” She slid a box of tissues across the table.
“I can pay for a sitter. I’m gonna sue Martin for child support. Why should I care if it ruins my family’s reputation?”
Steph shrugged, relieved she was off the hook. “Sounds like a good idea.”
Carina snatched a tissue and patted her face dry, careful not to smear her mascara. She stood up, smoothed the wrinkles from her upscale dress and glided to the door on designer heels. As her hand reached for the handle, she paused and looked down.
“I guess I won’t be wearing these heels much longer. My feet are starting to swell.”
“Yeah, I had a lot of swelling when I was pregnant.”
“I could probably use some baby advice.?
?? Her hand dropped down to rub the small bump on her belly. “Can I buy you a cup of coffee sometime?”
“Uhmm…” Steph swallowed, but her mouth was dry. “Sure, I guess.”
“I’ll call you.”
The door clicked shut behind her. Steph sat frozen in shock, feeling like she was in a weird dream.
“Shut up, MawMaw. I know you’re up there laughing at me.”
“Are you sure you want me down there in the meeting?” Stephanie wished she’d worn an antiperspirant instead of just a deodorant. When Bran told her to dress up for a big date after the Escapades board meeting, she hadn’t worried how she would look. She’d put on the nicest dress she owned—the white one she’d worn in Las Vegas—and taken extra care with her hair and makeup.