Chapter 33
“Mom, did I do something wrong just now? I shouldn’t have flipped the table, right?” Daph’s voice was small, her guilt weighing heavy. In her young mind, it was the table–flipping that had gotten her and Selene kicked out of the Thompson family. Selene looked at her gently. “If you had another chance, would you still do it?”
Without a second’s hesitation, Daph nodded. “I wanted to protect you, Mom.”
Selene’s smile was warm and proud. “You did what you could, sweetheart. You’re my hero.”
“No, Mom–you’re my hero!” Daph snuggled closer, her cheek pressed against Selene’s shoulder.
Selene’s praise made Daph’s eyes shine, though she looked a little shy. “But I used so much strength… It didn’t feel very ladylike.”
Selene brushed a strand of hair from Daph’s face. “Darling, you were born a girl, but girls can be anything. There’s no rule that says girls have to act a certain way.”
She pulled Daph into a gentle embrace. “You’re strong, and you know how to stand up for yourself. That makes me happy, and I’m so proud of you. If girls are always soft and fragile, all they can do is lean on others. But I hope you’ll never feel like you have to give up being yourself. However you are, that’s what a girl can be.”
Selene’s words lit a spark of courage in Daph. “Mom, I’ve always wanted to learn boxing! I want to get even stronger!“,
Back at the Vaughns‘, she’d wanted to take soccer and self–defense classes with Dames. But Gemma had put a stop to it, and the old lady insisted girls shouldn’t be outside running wild and making noise.
“That’s perfect,” Selene replied, “Your uncle owns a gym. I’ll ask him to find you a boxing coach.”
“Mom, you’re the best!” Daph flopped happily into Selene’s arms, then lif head, curiosity in her eyes. “Where are we going now?”
her
Selene combed her fingers through Daph’s smooth, dark hair. “We’re going to Azure Vista Villas.”
She and Harrison had just signed the divorce papers. Selene had secured not only a cash settlement, but also kept her properties and business interests. It was only fair.
09:22
She was already house–hunting–once she made a little more in the stock market, she’d buy a new place and move out with Daph. For now, though, Harrison’s house would do.
Azure Vista Villas was the most exclusive neighborhood in the city.
When Selene and Daph stepped out of the taxi, the community concierge was already waiting to greet them.
“Welcome home, ma’am.”
Selene smiled. “You’ll have to call me something else now.”
The concierge sighed. “Miss Thompson.”
She nodded, and he watched as Selene and Daph walked toward the villa.
It wasn’t long before Harrison received word that Selene had moved into Azure Vista Villas.
He glanced at the corner of his study and spotted a lone tennis ball–Dames had forgotten to pick up his things again. Irritated, Harrison grabbed the ball and bounced it against the wall, catching it as it rebounded.
He smirked. Selene and this tennis ball–what was the difference? Both were just hanging around in his house, waiting for him to give in first.
But Harrison was never one to beg or apologize.
Buying that sapphire bracelet and delivering it to Selene himself was the biggest concession he’d ever made. He’d offered her a way out, but she refused to take it.
Fine, then. If she wouldn’t walk away with dignity, she could crawl out if she had to. “Sir, your bath is ready,” came the housekeeper’s voice from outside the door.
Harrison stripped off his shirt and headed for the bathroom. His skin was pale and cool–toned, his body sculpted from years of training–broad shoulders, narrow waist, sharply defined abs.
He stepped into the tub, stretching his long legs–and recoiled at once as the scalding water stung his skin.
With a sharp inhale, Harrison twisted on the cold tap, gritting his teeth.
Chapter 34
Chapter 34
