My General Mother Ruined Me For My Cousin—Then Regretted It Too Late Chapter 05
My mother spun around. “Jonathan? You weren’t due back for another month.”
My father—Jonathan Hart—walked forward with the presence that came from decades of high-stakes negotiations in embassies and boardrooms across three continents.
“If I’d waited another month,” he said, “my only daughter would have been quietly engaged to a man named Owen Pierce without anyone informing me.”
My mother’s throat worked. Nothing came out.
Sienna hurried forward, voice dripping with soft concern. “Uncle Jonathan, please don’t be angry. Aunt Victoria only wanted what was best. Mia has always been so difficult—restless, uncontrollable. A simpler life, away from the political spotlight, is exactly what someone with her temperament needs.”
“That’s enough.” Two words. Quiet. He turned and looked at Sienna—really looked at her—and she physically took a step back. “The affairs of my household are not yours to address.”
Sienna’s eyes welled instantly. Her lip trembled.
My mother stepped in front of her. “Don’t attack her. She didn’t say anything that isn’t true. Mia IS stubborn. If I hadn’t kept her in check, she would have ruined her own life by now.”
“And you—how dare you promise Mia to Damien Blackwood without consulting me? I arranged Adrian Caldwell for Sienna. You just handed Mia to the Blackwood family. You’re forcing this family onto opposite sides.”
Damien spoke for the first time. ” General Sinclair.” His voice was calm, with steel underneath. “I’m not interested in your political games. I don’t need the Hart name, your military network, or your foundation’s resources.”
Damien continued, unshakeable. “Blackwood Security is the largest private defense contractor on the Eastern Seaboard. My family’s ranch in Montana spans three thousand acres. I have lawyers, resources, and a jet waiting. Once Mia says yes, we leave tonight. We won’t be coming back.”
My mother’s face went slack.
Sienna’s eyes lit up. Damien out of Washington meant no competition. She’d marry Adrian and own this city.
Then my father spoke again. “I met with Margaret Caldwell this morning. I made it clear: I have one daughter. Mia. I will never—under any circumstances—take another person’s child into this family or add anyone else to our family trust.”
He looked at Sienna. “The Caldwell family has withdrawn the offer.”
Sienna’s face went the color of bone.
My mother grabbed my father’s arm. “You can’t do that. If the Caldwells withdraw, her reputation is finished. No decent family will ever touch her.”
My father removed her hand from his sleeve. “Victoria. When you stood in the middle of that gala and destroyed our daughter’s reputation in front of every powerful family on the Eastern Seaboard—did you spend one second thinking about what that would do to MIA?”
Silence.
Sienna clutched at my mother’s sleeve. “Aunt Victoria—”
My mother’s hand found Sienna’s back automatically. Patting. Soothing. “Don’t be scared. I won’t let anything happen to you.”