Chapter 35 Design Knowledge.
Christina froze at the sound of her father’s voice on the phone. She could feel the tension in the air, as if the very mention of home brought a storm of memories and unresolved issues rushing back.
“What’s going on, Dad?” she asked, trying to keep her tone neutral despite the sudden spike in anxiety.
“Don’t play dumb, Christina. You know exactly why I’m calling!” Her father’s voice was sharp, filled with the frustration that had always characterized their strained relationship. “You’ve been out there, getting all cozy with Nathaniel, and I’m not going to let you embarrass this family anymore. Get back here now. We need to talk.”
Christina bit her lip, feeling the weight of his words settle over her like a heavy fog. Her relationship with her father had always been complicated, and the last thing she wanted was to bring unnecessary drama into her life. But she also knew that avoiding this conversation wouldn’t make things better.
“Fine,” she said softly, swallowing the frustration bubbling up in her chest. “I’ll be there soon.”
She hung up the phone, exhaling a slow breath, her mind racing as she tried to prepare herself for the inevitable confrontation. Her phone buzzed again, but this time, it was a message from Nathaniel.
“Let me know if you need anything tonight.”
Christina’s heart warmed slightly at the message. Nathaniel had been unexpectedly thoughtful and understanding, offering her support even without asking for anything in return. She had to admit, his quiet presence was starting to mean more to her than she cared to admit.
But there was no time to dwell on it now. She quickly packed up her things and put on her mask again, ready to face whatever awaited her at home.
When Christina arrived at the Steele residence, the large, imposing mansion felt suffocating. The last time she had stepped foot inside was under much different circumstances, and now, walking through the front door, she could feel the tension in the air like a thick, invisible wall.
Her father was waiting for her in the living room, his stern expression unchanged. Sitting on the arm of an ornate chair, he glared at her with a mix of disappointment and anger.
“You’ve been behaving recklessly, Christina,” he began, his voice low but biting. “It’s bad enough that you’ve been acting so carelessly with your career, but now, you’re involved with Nathaniel.”
Christina’s heart skipped a beat. She opened her mouth to respond, but her father raised a hand to silence her.
“Don’t even try to justify it,” he snapped. “You think that man is going to help you? He’s a distraction. He’s a problem, and I won’t stand for it. You need to focus on what matters.”
Christina’s mind was racing, but she kept her composure, trying to hold back the surge of frustration that was threatening to break free.
“Dad,” she started, her voice firm, “Nathaniel isn’t a problem. He’s been supportive of me, and I’m doing fine on my own. I don’t need your approval to make my own choices.”
Her father’s eyes narrowed as he leaned forward in his chair. “You may not need my approval, but you certainly need the family’s support. I built this company from the ground up, and I won’t let you jeopardize everything with some… romance.”
Christina felt the familiar anger rising in her chest. Her father’s obsession with business had always come before anything else, even family. She had spent years trying to prove herself, trying to show him that she could stand on her own, but he was always there, trying to pull her back into the fold of his expectations.
“I’m not a little girl anymore, Dad,” she said, her voice shaking with suppressed emotion. “I’m capable of making my own decisions. This isn’t just about business. It’s about me and my life.”
The silence in the room was suffocating as her father’s gaze remained fixed on her, his lips tight with frustration. For a moment, it felt as though the world had come to a halt, both of them locked in a battle of wills.
“You can think whatever you want, Christina,” he finally said, his voice low and dangerous. “But if you think I’m going to let you ruin everything, you’re wrong.”
Christina felt a cold shiver run down her spine at his words, but she didn’t back down. “I’m not ruining anything,” she said firmly, her chin lifted in defiance. “But I’m not going to live my life according to your rules anymore. I’m my own person.”
Her father’s eyes flashed with anger, but he didn’t say anything more. Instead, he simply turned away, his back to her, signaling that the conversation was over.
Christina stood there for a moment, her heart pounding, before turning and leaving the room. She didn’t need his approval, not anymore. But it didn’t make the pain any easier to bear.