“Daniella—”
“Oh, wait, you did pay child support.” While his sons had his love and affection, she hadn’t received even a birthday card from him since her eighth birthday, after he married the woman he’d been having an affair with behind her mother’s back. “So I should thank you for that. I should also thank you for covering my mother’s medical bills after she died, but I was more than capable of doing it.” It would have been a financial strain. She would have covered the bills, though, but he beat her to it.
“I wanted to,” he said. “It was the least I could do.”
“Do you think it somehow makes up for the way you discarded her?” The way you discarded me? she wanted to scream.
“No, I don’t.”
He looked pitiful, and she didn’t want to feel sorry for him. “Goodbye, Carlos.” Daniella rose from the table.
“I never deserted you,” he said hastily. “No matter what you think.” His voice halted her with her back turned to him.
She whirled around in anger. “Don’t you lie to me,” she hissed. “You had your new wife and your new family, and that’s all that mattered.” His sons had gone into business with him. Since he’d sold the business and moved to Miami, what were they doing now? No doubt living off the millions of dollars her father had earned over the years. Twiddling their thumbs as they chased women around the globe. From what she understood from other family members, her younger siblings were quite the playboys. They’d taken after their father. She lifted her chin and looked down at him with disdain. “I don’t need you for anything. I don’t need your money, your time, nothing. You didn’t want me, but it didn’t stop me from being successful.”
A pained expression crossed his face and he reached a hand to her but only caught air. “That’s not true. I wanted you, and I’m so proud of everything you’ve accomplished.”
“Why would you be proud? You had absolutely nothing to do with my success. I’m successful in spite of your rejection.” She should be quiet. Otherwise she’d say too much and he’d guess how much his absence had truly affected her. How devastated she’d been for years when she realized he was never coming back. She would never get another piggyback ride. He would never introduce her to another person as his favorite girl and the best thing in his life.
She could never treat her own child in such a cruel manner. She knew the pain of rejection, and her child would not grow up doubting the love of either of its parents. She’d already taken steps to ensure that didn’t happen.
Carlos stood. “I know you don’t need me, but I’m your father, and no matter what you believe, I loved you. I still do.” He paused, then reached into his pocket. “My contact information, in case you ever change your mind and want to get in touch.”
He tried to hand her the card, but she didn’t take it. The truth was, she couldn’t move. The memories that had tormented her flooded back like a burst dam, and she was afraid if she moved a muscle she might collapse completely. Then he’d know the truth.
Very carefully, he placed the card on the table. “I’m staying at the Four Seasons Hotel until Saturday if you want to meet up again and talk.”
“I won’t.”
He nodded. “I understand. Goodbye, baby girl.”
He had no right to call her that. The softly spoken endearment pierced her cold armor, but fortunately he’d already started toward the door.