Page 58 of Vexatious Queen

“I…I apologize. That was rude of me,” Patricia said, and I sat back in my chair.

“It’s Monday, and it’s late. Stay here for the night, Victoria. I’ll have the guards return you to school tomorrow. Your mother and I need to speak alone.”

Victoria stood, but hesitated. She came around the desk and leaned over to hug me.

“I’m sorry, Papa,” she whispered in my ear.

“We will speak tomorrow.”

“Yes, Papa, goodnight,” she said, before walking away.

In moments like that, I saw the young woman hiding under the ignorant, arrogant shell.

“Buonanotte, amore mio. Dormi bene,” I said, wanting her to know that just because her mother and I were at odds, it didn’t mean that I loved her any less.

With a slight smile pulling at the corner of her mouth, she left and closed the door. I was shocked when she didn’t hug Patricia or say goodnight. That made me hopeful that she would not turn out the same.

“What is this really about?”

“Exactly what I said. You now have…” I cocked an eyebrow at her. “Your biological daughter in your life. I want to ensure that Victoria isn’t forgotten in the paternity of it all. I want our daughter to be cared for. That means a proper inheritance and a suitable marriage to someone who can increase her status. You may not be able to see it, but she is technically a bastard, and if it ever got out, she would be ruined.”

“When have I ever said that I wouldn’t provide for Victoria?”

Patricia’s lips pursed, and I could see the wheels turning.

“I guess you haven’t.”

“That’s right, I haven’t. Yet, you still haven’t delivered the information I asked for eighteen years ago.”

Her face blanched, knowing where this was going.

“I will ask you again. Who is Victoria’s father?”

“You said you didn’t want to know.”

Patricia crossed her arms and looked away from me.

“Yes, you’re correct. Before you got pregnant, I didn’t care. But once Victoria was born, I changed my mind, and you’ve yet to tell me. Why is that? Do you not know?”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” she said, with a haughty flip of her hair. “Of course, I know, but…that is not why we’re here. You haven’t answered my question.”

I polished off my drink, trying to decide what to do with Patricia. At the moment, it was tempting to throw her out the window and be done with it.

“Patricia, I don’t believe for a second that you are here to discuss Victoria’s future. So tell me what this is really about, or get the hell out.”

She picked at invisible lint on her sleeve and then sighed.

“Fine, I may have wanted to speak to you about the divorce. Also…what can I do to get you to back off my father’s company? Just leave them out of this. My poor mother is distraught, believing she will have to move out of their family home.”

“Why should I?”

Patricia stood and walked over to stare at the painting on the wall.

“Because at one time we were not at odds. I’m still Victoria’s mother, and it will only add further strain on our daughter if my family ends up in poverty.”

She had a point. Victoria adored her grandparents.

“Fine, I’ll send over my new demands by the end of the week. But let me make this abundantly clear, Patricia, this is the only time I do this. If you come here again, begging me for a handout, you will not like what I do after that. Next time you need to speak with me, make an appointment. You’re no longer welcome in my home. The guards will be instructed to shoot on sight without prior notice of your arrival by me or Victoria. Understand?”