Chapter 123
DEMI
Father stares up from his computer screen as I walk into his study, unsummoned and unaccompanied by any of his sons. This is very unusual especially for me but he and I need to have a conversation outside of other family members.
I tried to talk myself out of it but the truth is that I need to figure out a way to get father’s DNA fast. Hence, I figured that I need to find reasons to get him alone. We can’t only meet at the dining table along with the rest of the family.
"Hello, father." I greet meekly.
"What do you want?" A deep frown creases his forehead. He hates me. I really don’t care at this point.
"I won’t waste your time." I take a deep breath. "I want to resume my job at the office. I can’t be cooped up at home for nine months. I am sick of being idle."
Father leans back in his chair with an air of surprise at my boldness. "Is that a plea or a demand?"
"It’s a demand voiced like a plea, father. I have done everything this family has required of me to despite my feelings on the matter. I have been wronged and hurt. Surely, I am not asking for too much. Pregnant women can still work. I don’t think I’ll be courting any risks by going to the HQ and sitting at my desk for a few hours every day."
"It’s not about what you think, Demi. It’s about what the world thinks. Can you imagine the ridiculous headlines when my pregnant daughter-in-law resumes work?"
"I honestly don’t care about headlines. There will always be headlines, father, whether I work or not. The media will never stop hounding us even when we don’t do anything. We can’t continue to live our lives on their whim."
My eyes skirt around his desk. He has a half-empty glass of scotch that definitely has his saliva on it. I could make a grab for it.