He Compared Me To My Father’s Mistress’s Daughter Chapter 03

He Compared Me To My Father’s Mistress’s Daughter Chapter 03

Both my mother and I froze at his reaction.

She tried to push herself up, reaching out as if to stop him.

But my brother had already plastered on a gentle smile. He turned back to her.

“Mom, don’t worry. Aria’s just throwing another fit. Let me talk to her. You rest. We’ll come visit again soon.”

My mother’s brow creased. “Cameron…”

He dragged me out the door.

I stumbled, nearly slamming into the doorframe. “Cam, let go! You’re hurting me!”

He didn’t answer.

He shoved me into the passenger seat, lit a cigarette, and said, “Why are you trying to break up with Damian?”

I sat there, choking on my own hurt.

My whole life, Cameron was supposed to be the one who had my back.

He was overseas when the abuse was happening. But the second he heard, he flew straight home.

When he saw the bruises on my face, he went after our father that same night. He nearly killed him with his own hands.

So I swallowed the worst of it, trying not to set him off.

“Cam. Damian’s been cheating on me.”

He exhaled smoke, voice flat. “I know. Anything else?”

I stared at him, completely thrown. “You know?”

He let out a dry laugh and started the car.

“Aria. Do you think you’re still a kid? My company. Your entire lifestyle. Mom’s care at Pine Ridge. You think any of that happens without Damian’s money?”

I hadn’t expected this. My eyes burned. The tears gathered. “The woman he’s cheating with is Sienna Blake!”

My brother snorted.

“So what? You’re my Aria. Sienna is also my Aria. She’s not some random whore off the street. Why are you being so petty about this?”

The air turned to concrete.

I stared at him, unable to process the words coming out of his mouth. “Cameron, are you insane? She’s Dad’s illegitimate daughter. She is not your Aria. What happened to you saying you’d never become the kind of man who cheats?”

The car pulled into Oakwood Estates.

He glanced at me, voice turning paternal and condescending.

“Aria. Sometimes you’re so naive it’s almost funny. Is there even a man on this planet who doesn’t cheat?”

“At least Damian’s better than Dad. He doesn’t hit you. He doesn’t scream at you. You get to be Mrs. Vance for life. Isn’t that enough?”

I didn’t want to argue anymore. My voice came out cold. “You’ve changed, Cameron. Pull over. I’m getting out.”

Something flickered in his eyes. His tone softened. “Aria, listen. Just wait until we’re home…”

The front door swung open.

Sienna came running out of the house, her eyes curved into bright crescents, arms open wide. “Cam!”

She latched onto his arm and tilted her face up to his. “You promised you’d take me birthday shopping today! I was waiting at home forever!”

Damian walked out behind her, wearing the gray coat I’d pressed for him.

He looked down at Sienna with a voice full of indulgence. “Why are you running so fast? What if you fell?”

Then he lifted his head. His gaze landed on me.

His face went rigid.

Sienna tilted her head, looking at me with that innocent smile. “Oh, Aria. You’re here too.”

Her mother used to call my mom the exact same way. “Oh, don’t be mad, Aria. Derek and I are truly in love.”

My stomach heaved.

Cameron glanced at Sienna and then back at me. “Aria. It’s Sienna’s birthday today. You should go home.”

I stood there like I’d just been slapped in front of a crowd.

Sienna reached up to fix her hair, giving me a perfect view of the ring on her finger.

“Today’s your birthday too, isn’t it, Aria? You should stay. We can all eat together. The more, the merrier.”

Years ago, Sienna’s mother had her labor induced early, on purpose, so Sienna would be born on the exact same day I was. The day I’d stopped celebrating my birthday.

Damian and Cameron both stared at me with stiff, uncomfortable expressions.

Damian spoke first. “Aria. Stay. Have some cake with us.”

I let out a hollow laugh and turned away. “Don’t bother.”

A figure appeared behind me. I stopped cold.