Page 72 of Maddening Fixation

Now grief and illness had stolen so much from her.

Her fingers trembled against the armrest of her wheelchair as she struggled to communicate something only she understood. Her eyes darted anxiously between Father and me, pleading without words.

Pain tightened in my chest.

We had insisted she attend because the will required every immediate family member to be present.

Watching her sit there—silent, trapped inside a body that no longer obeyed her—made this entire conversation feel unbearably cruel.

I looked away before the sting behind my eyes became visible.

“I thought you loved us,” I said softly.

Father frowned.

“What makes you think I don’t?”

“Because you’re asking me to sacrifice my future.”

I leaned back, folding my arms across my chest to hide the tremor in my hands.

“You know what this means. I deferred my university program in London because of Mother’s health. I was finally planning to go back. I had a life mapped out. Plans. Freedom.” I shook my head. “I’m twenty-four years old, Dad. I’m not some bargaining chip to be exchanged for hotels, diamonds, and investment portfolios.”

I held his gaze.

“I understand why the money matters,” I admitted quietly. “I’d be lying if I said it didn’t.”

I looked up at him.

“If I could access it without marrying Romeo Medved, I’d share every dollar with this family.”

My voice softened.

“You deserve that more than anyone.”

Father’s expression shifted almost imperceptibly.

“When Mom got sick... when everyone expected you to walk away because she could no longer take care of herself...”

I glanced briefly at my mother before looking back at him.

“You stayed.”

“You never once brought another woman into this house, even though no one would have blamed you if you had.”

“You stood by her. You stood by me. You stood by my sister.”

I smiled faintly through the ache in my chest.

“Most men wouldn’t have had the strength to do that. You’ve carried this family on your shoulders for years.”

I swallowed hard.

“That’s why you deserve everything Grandfather and Grandmother left behind.”

A long silence stretched between us.

“But please...”