Fall For My Ex's Mafia Dad novel Chapter 149

“But this isn’t my job, Kent,” I reply, feeling my lower lip start to shake a little with unhappiness. Unhappiness I’m not sure I’ve fully acknowledged in a while. Because I’ve been…excited? About some of the changes in my life, and in my relationship? But if I really consider what they actually mean…I’m not sure anything has changed at all.

“I’m a therapist, Kent,” I continue. “Or at least, I was training to be. That was my job, until you made me quit and locked me up in your house. Until you made it clear that the only way for me to gain any control over my life was to marry your son or sign your contract. You forced me into this.”

“I forced you to nothing!” Kent hisses, closing the distance between us, his anger alive in him now. “You signed that contract of your own free will, Fay! You –“

“I am more than this!” I shout, surprising myself – and him, and the horse – with the loudness of my voice, my vehemence.

Kent takes a step back, blinking in surprise. “Fay –“

“No,” I say, stepping forward into the space where Kent fell back, clenching my jaw and staring up at him. “No, Kent – you don’t get to talk me out of it. All of this is bullshit – that contract is bullshit. It’s just ink on paper – none of it means anything, or reflects any part of what’s actually happening between us. All your contracts and your rules and your regulations? It’s all designed to make me feel weak, and to make you feel strong and in charge.”

“It’s designed to privilege me, yes,” Kent snarls down at me, not giving another inch, “because I am the one who has something you need, Fay. And your position is to serve me in exchange for it. With gratitude.” His lip curls, now, with anger, maybe disgust.