Daddy’s billionaire step-brother
Chapter 67: Interesting acquaintances

Clara stared at Adrian, her shock quickly morphing into frustration. She crossed her arms, her voice dripping with disbelief. "Why the hell would you invite the Italian mob to our daughter's baby shower?"

Adrian sighed, rubbing the back of his neck as though bracing himself for the inevitable storm. "I was worried about paparazzi, Clara, and with everything going on with the Caldwells... I didn't want any issues. We couldn't afford to have any unwanted attention."

Clara's eyes narrowed, her brows knitting in confusion. "So, your solution was to invite the head of the mob? To a baby shower?" Her voice climbed with incredulity.

"Besides," Adrian added softly, his tone more defensive, "he's a friend."

Clara blinked at him, completely taken aback. "Friend? Friend?" Her frustration bubbled to the surface as she paced around the room. "Why are you even friends with the head of the Italian mob, Adrian?"

Adrian chuckled softly, but there was no humor in it just the kind of weary resignation that comes from years of making difficult choices. "Business takes you to some crazy places," he said, shrugging. "When you operate at my level, you meet all sorts of people. Alekos... he's one of those people. He's helped me out before, and I've done him a few favors in return. It's nothing more than that."

Clara stopped pacing, running a hand through her hair, her exasperation giving way to disbelief. "So, should I be worried?" She asked, her voice quieter now, her eyes searching Adrian's for some kind of reassurance.

Adrian stepped toward her, his hand resting gently on her shoulder. His expression softened, his voice calm and steady. "No, Clara. You don't need to worry about Alekos. He won't cause any trouble for us, I promise."

Clara nodded, but a part of her couldn't quite shake the unease. The idea of having someone so dangerous so close to her family, especially at a time like this, gnawed at her. She swallowed the rest of her concerns, though, trusting Adrian.

As the evening wore on, they got ready for bed in comfortable silence. Adrian slipped under the covers, exhaustion overtaking him, and within minutes, he was fast asleep. But Clara couldn't rest. The events of the day swirled in her mind, and the gnawing sense of unease remained. Unable to ignore it, and with her pregnancy cravings getting the better of her, she quietly got out of bed and made her way to the kitchen.

The house was quiet, and the cool air of the kitchen did little to calm her restlessness. She opened the fridge, pulling out a small block of brie cheese and some strawberries. Slicing the cheese, she popped a piece into her mouth, savoring the creamy texture as she added a strawberry to the mix. It was a simple indulgence, but it gave her something to focus on.

She had just taken another bite when her phone buzzed on the counter. Clara glanced at the screen, expecting a message from Jessica or a reminder from the staff. But when she saw the name on the screen, her heart nearly stopped. Dad.

Her fingers trembled as they hovered over the phone, a wave of dread washing over her. She hadn't spoken to her father in months. After everything that had happened with the Caldwells and Adrian, her relationship with him had been irreparably fractured. Still, curiosity and a sense of duty tugged at her, and she hesitated for only a moment before swiping to answer.

"Clara," her father's voice was as cold and cutting as she remembered, dripping with a familiar disdain. "I called to congratulate you on your baby girl. It seems I'm going to be a grandfather... or is it an uncle? Honestly, I can't tell anymore." Clara's grip tightened on the phone, her heart sinking at the cruel mockery in his tone. "Dad, please... don't do this. I don't deserve this."

There was a long, bitter pause on the other end. "You don't deserve this?" he finally replied, his voice sharp and accusatory. "I'm the one who didn't deserve this, Clara. While you and Adrian are out there, celebrating your happiness, I've had to disappear. Do you know what that's like? To be forced out of your own life because of the shame you brought upon me?"

Her throat tightened, and she struggled to keep her composure. "You could be celebrating with us. I was willing to forgive you, Dad. I was willing to forgive you for selling me out to the Caldwells, for lying to me about everything even if Adrian wasn't."

Her father's laugh on the other end of the line was harsh and hollow. "You were willing to forgive me?" he asked incredulously. "I should be the one begging for your forgiveness, is that it? You've ruined everything, Clara! You have no idea the mess you've caused. And don't forget, your mother's death is on your hands. Her health was never the same after she gave birth to you."

Clara's breath hitched, the cruel words slicing into her like a knife. Her hand gripped the counter, trying to steady herself as tears welled up in her eyes. "You... you have no right to talk to me like this," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion but determined not to break.

Richard's voice, venomous and vengeful, crackled over the line. "Mark my words, Clara. You'll regret crossing me. You ruined my life, and I promise you you'll regret ruining my plans."

Clara squeezed her eyes shut, trying to push away the pain his words brought, but the weight of them was too much. She took a deep, shaky breath, fighting to maintain control over her emotions. "Goodbye, Dad," she whispered, before quickly ending the call.

For a long moment, she stood there in the kitchen, her body rigid, her mind reeling from the exchange. The silence that followed was deafening, and the cold air that had once felt refreshing now felt suffocating. She placed her phone down on the counter, her fingers still trembling slightly.

Clara wrapped her arms around herself, trying to fend off the hollow ache in her chest. Her father's words still echoed in her mind, each one a cruel reminder of the strained relationship that had been hanging by a thread for so long. She had hoped, deep down, that there was a chance for reconciliation. But now, after hearing him again-after the venomous threats and accusations-it felt like that chance had slipped away.

She took a deep breath, standing in the stillness of the kitchen. As much as her father's words had hurt, Clara knew she couldn't let them break her. She had her own life now-her own family. Adrian was upstairs, and their child was growing inside her. That was what mattered. That was what she had to protect.

With one last glance at the phone, Clara made her way back to the bedroom, her heart heavy but resolute. She had a future to protect, no matter the shadows from her past.