“He’s dead.”
Stella stared at him for a moment before she let out a laugh. “You’re such a liar. You’re going to great lengths to ensure I hate you forever.”
“Fine, if you need to know, then his name was Martin Hernandez. He was killed in a small commuter plane crash when you were two. Look him up if you don’t believe me. Use my investigator. I had a paternity test done to prove in case I needed it for future reference, but he died before—”
“What? Before you could blackmail him or hold me over his head?” Stella snarled. “Why did you even keep me? Why not just give me to him when I was born?”
“Because he hit your mother when she told him about the pregnancy.” Ruiz might have had a flash of remorse in his eyes if he had a heart. “I might be a bastard, but I don’t condone hitting a woman. Besides, I grew up in the foster system and I didn’t want that for Maggie’s baby.”
Stella fisted her hands at her sides and had no clue what to do next. How did anyone react when their entire world was ripped away? First her mother passed, then her father—who wasn’t her father—kept her out of some semblance of pity, only to pawn her off on nannies and teachers and coaches. And now? Well, now that she thought she could get somewhere with her life, somewhere that might make her fath
er take notice and maybe see her as a worthy businesswoman, that opportunity was stripped away.
As much as she wanted to scream and shed tears, Stella wouldn’t dare show Ruiz any emotion. He didn’t deserve to know that he could affect her. All of these years and she’d never gotten anything from him by way of feelings. That’s all she’d wanted, but apparently because she hadn’t been his by blood, she hadn’t deserved even the slightest hint of true affection.
“I want you to leave.”
The words slipped through her lips before she realized she was even thinking them. But as soon as they came out, she realized she really did want him gone. Stella didn’t want to look at that smug smirk another second.
“Listen to me,” he started, taking a step toward her. “I didn’t purposely set out to hurt you, but things fell into place, both in the past and now. It’s out of my hands.”
Stella gritted her teeth and used up every ounce of energy not to haul off and hit him. If he wanted her to truly hate him, he needn’t say another word.
“All of this was in your hands,” she fired back. “You could’ve told me about my father, you could’ve told me you had no intention of ever letting me take over this resort. You spied on me because you didn’t think I could handle running this place, and then you went behind my back to sell to the highest bidder. Don’t act like you couldn’t have done anything about this. You’ve manipulated my life from the start without a moment of care or concern for me. You never had time for me—well, now I have no more time for you. So get the hell out.”
Ruiz smoothed his suit jacket down and cleared his throat. “Actually, this resort belongs to me until the new owners take over. So if anyone is leaving it’s you. But, since I’m kind enough, I’ll give you two weeks to move your things.”
Stella glanced around her space. She’d already gotten so used to being here, in this space she called her own.
Swallowing the lump of pain and remorse, Stella focused her attention back on Ruiz. “Who bought Mirage?”
“My assistant handled most of the details, but I was told Strong L Ranch is going to be the new owner.”
Stella chewed on her lip to keep it from quivering. Whoever bought this place couldn’t love it near as much as she did. There was no way they had the emotional connection she did. Stella had wanted this place for years and had been so close. So damn close.
“Stella asked you to leave.”
Dane’s low, commanding tone reminded her he was still here, still supporting her. He’d been quiet, letting her handle things, but she was damn near to the point of breaking. She wanted her father—no, Ruiz—gone. She needed him gone.
“I hate that things came to this,” Ruiz stated. “You’ve actually surprised me with your determination and work ethic. I’m sure there’s another business that I can—”
“I don’t want your businesses and I don’t want your pity.” Stella pulled in a deep, shaky breath. “I’m done waiting for approval from you. I’m done hoping you’ll see me for the woman I am. I’m not a failure, I kick ass at what I do and someone will see that...even if the man who supposedly raised me can’t.”
Stella turned and crossed to the elevator. She punched the button with more force than necessary, but she had nowhere else to channel all of this anger.
Ruiz stepped into the elevator and Stella forced herself to look at him. She wanted him to see that she wasn’t weak, no matter how many times he had continued to knock her down. He may have shown a sliver of nobility by raising another man’s kid, but Stella knew he regretted every day he’d been stuck with her. She’d never truly been his daughter, and as much as that hurt, she was glad she knew the truth.
He continued to hold her stare as the doors slid closed.
And then he was gone.
All the energy, all the emotions from the last hour took their toll. Stella flattened her hand over the elevator keypad and dropped her head. Tears burned her eyes, every word she didn’t know to say got caught in her throat.
Strong arms wrapped around her. Dane eased her around until she faced him, then he scooped her up without a word. Stella looped her arms around his neck and shut her eyes as he carried her away. As strong as she prided herself on being, there were times she just couldn’t hold it together anymore. Everyone had a breaking point and Stella had more than reached hers.
Dane set her on her feet and Stella blinked up at him. He’d carried her to the bed and he started undressing her.
“I don’t have the—”