In the meantime, her role in Dane’s life also gave her advantages because Morgan knew the Stewarts’s schedule. They planned on leaving today to head back to Austin. She would have to go onto their turf to fight this battle. She wasn’t going to cower and run off into the night like some poor relation. She was his daughter and Henry owed her. Owed her for all the missed birthday parties and Christmases. He owed her for not looking after her welfare and ensuring she had a happy, loving childhood.
And she was going to claim her due.
* * *
“Jared, are you listening to a word I’ve said?” his mother asked as he sat across the table where he and his parents were having Sunday brunch. It had been a weekly event ever since he was a kid. They hadn’t stopped even after his father’s heart attack and open-heart surgery a year ago.
“I’m sorry, Mom. What was that?” Jared asked. He’d been distracted the last week. He supposed it had something to do with a certain brunette he hadn’t been able to forget. He’d been sleeping fitfully, tossing and turning thinking about the hazel-eyed beauty.
Jared wondered how she was faring. News of Morgan’s relation to Dane had been leaked to the press and the story was splashed over the tabloids. Dane was on his honeymoon while Morgan had disappeared.
“I asked you if you knew where your brother, Chris was,” Mary Robinson inquired. “It’s not like him to miss Sunday brunch.”
“No. I haven’t talked to him,” Jared answered. “His assistant said he took the week off for personal business.”
“Chris is a workaholic, same as me,” his father said. “I’m glad to see he’s learned a lesson from me and is taking time for himself.”
“What about Dane?” his mother asked. “I tried calling Nora about the tabloids’ claim that Henry has an illegitimate daughter, but she didn’t answer. Do you think it’s true?”
“C’mon, Mary, you can’t believe the gossips.”
“It’s not gossip, Dad,” Jared replied.
His father frowned. “How would you know?”
“I met Morgan at the wedding. We talked and she’s a lovely young woman.”
“Who’s no doubt after the Stewart wealth. She might be shocked to learn that not everything is what it seems. Henry hasn’t been rolling in it for years,” his father said. “If it wasn’t for his son-in-law Gage and Fallon’s business acumen, the company would have gone belly-up years ago.”
“Not everything is about money,” Jared said. “Morgan just wants to be recognized.”
“So you’re on a first name basis with her?” his mother asked, quirking a brow.
“You know our son can’t resist a pretty face,” his father responded. “She must be a looker.”
Jared’s spine stiffened at the affront and he wiped his mouth with his napkin. “I’ve lost my appetite, so I’ll be on my way.”
“Run away like you always do,” his father countered.
“I’m sorry your favorite son couldn’t be here for brunch, but don’t take it out on me.” Jared walked over to his mother and kissed her on the cheek. “Mom, I’ll call you later.”
Jared didn’t bother saying goodbye to his father. They were never going to see eye to eye, so he’d stopped trying. He was curious about Morgan, but perhaps it was for the best he hadn’t seen her since that night. He hadn’t recognized himself around her and Jared suspected if he ever saw her again, he would be in trouble. He doubted he could walk away again.
* * *
Morgan sat in her car outside the Stewart mansion that afternoon. It had taken a week to get her affairs in order, which included starting the paperwork to legally change her name from Morgan Young to Morgan Stewart. It was time she took her rightful name and place in the family. She’d also sent a letter of resignation to Dane. Within days of the wedding, news had broken that she was Dane Stewart’s baby sister and the tabloids were staked outside of her small apartment in Culver City. Thankfully, she’d packed in advance and decided to drive to Austin. Flying would have drawn too much attention. She lived frugally and Dane paid her well, so she had savings to tide her over for a while.
And now here she was, waiting for security to approve her entry to the hallowed grounds. Morgan fumed in her car. She was a Stewart, after all, and was being treated like she was an outsider. But wasn’t she?
She hadn’t been raised on this estate like Dane or Fallon. They’d had everything. The best house. Clothes. Cars. Education. While she’d had nothing. She had a right to be here. Henry was going to own up to being her father. Morgan wasn’t going to leave until he did.
The security guard placed the receiver of his phone down and leaned out of the guardhouse. “I’m sorry, ma’am. I’m told you don’t have an appointment. You’re going to have to turn around.”
“You can’t keep me out,” Morgan insisted. “I need to talk to my father.”
“I’m sorry, miss. But you’re going to have to leave. If you don’t, I’m going to have to call the cops on you for trespassing.”
“Trespassing?” Morgan’s voice rose. “Well that’s rich. Imagine what the press will say when they find out Henry kicked his own daughter off the grounds.”
A horn sounded from behind Morgan and startled her. She turned as a red Audi pulled up beside her Honda Accord. The window rolled down and Fallon leaned out, but she wasn’t alone. Ayden, their older brother, sat beside her. “It’s all right, Drew. She’s with me.”
“Are you sure? Your father was insistent she not be let in.”
“I’ll handle my father,” Fallon responded evenly. “Morgan—” Fallon glanced in her direction “—follow me in.”
Morgan nodded mutely, put the car in gear and followed the Audi up the manicured road. When they finally stopped in front of the two-story mansion, Morgan sucked in a breath as she looked around.
After turning off the engine, Morgan exited the vehicle and found Fallon leaning against her car. She looked poised and sophisticated in jeans, a tank top, knee-high boots and a long duster. Morgan was sure the outfit was designer while her own was off-the-rack. Although Dane paid her well, living in Los Angeles was expensive and Morgan couldn’t afford designer clothes.
Ayden, meanwhile, stood nearby, quietly assessing her. Morgan wished the situation was different and he would wrap her in a big brotherly hug. Wasn’t that what she’d always wanted? A family of her own. Not just her and Crystal and the revolving door of men in her mother’s life.
“Morgan, it seems we have a lot to talk about,” Fallon said, her hazel eyes trained on Morgan. They were the same eyes Morgan saw every day when she looked in the mirror.
“No offense, Fallon, but we don’t,” Morgan said, folding her arms across her chest. “I need to talk to your father, I mean, our father.”
“I disagree,” Ayden said. “This involves all of us. Henry has a lot to answer for. It’s why we both came. For answers.”
“And I’m here to be a mediator,” Fallon added. “I know neither of you is Daddy’s biggest fan, but after your revelation last week, my mother was distraught. Inconsolable. She came home with me and Gage and has been there all week. She asked me to bring a few things, which is why I’m here.”
“I’m sorry,” Morgan said, “but that’s not my fault. I didn’t cheat on her. Henry did.”
“It wouldn’t be the first time,” Ayden said underneath his breath.
Fallon gave Ayden a hard stare. “That might be true, but surely you could have revealed your existence in a less public way?”
Morgan sighed. Fallon had a point. “I—I didn’t know another way, Fallon. He didn’t know me from Adam. I knew he would stonewall me. And as you can see from today, I was right.”
“That’s because he’s hurt and lashing out.”
“Do you always make excuses for him?” Morgan asked.
“Yes.” Ayden nodded.
Fallon laughed. “I know Daddy isn’t perfect.”
“He’s my father, too,” Morgan responded hotly. “And it’s time he acknowledged that.”
“Let’s go inside and talk. But I warn you he’s not in the best mood.”
Morgan followed Ayden and Fallon through the gilded doors with gold-plated handles into the foyer. She was amazed at how beautiful the mansion was. The terrazzo floors gleamed and the two-story spiral staircase was breathtaking. Morgan could see the European influence in the decor. It resembled a French chateau with cathedral ceilings and baroque adornments throughout. Fallon led Morgan into a sitting room that had a massive two-story fireplace and a baby grand piano.
Fallon sat down on a chaise and Ayden took the spot beside her. Morgan envied the easy comfort they shared and hoped one day she could have the same.
“Why do you think he’s your father?” Fallon asked.
Morgan sighed. She didn’t care to explain herself, but apparently she had to. “My mother met Henry when he was attending a tech convention in Las Vegas. They spent one night together. I’m the result. It’s as simple as that.”
“Why didn’t she ever come forward? I mean, she could have gone to court and gotten my father to acknowledge you and pay child support. It’s what I would’ve done.”
“If you recall, my mother didn’t fight to ensure Henry took care of me, either,” Ayden interjected. “It’s not easy coming forward.”
“Thank you, Ayden.” Morgan appreciated the backup considering their background was similar when it came to their father. “I doubt my mother knew how to find him. She said she didn’t know who he was until a magazine article came out on Stewart Technologies, but she never told me until she was dying in the hospital.”
“I’m so sorry,” Fallon replied.
“It’s all right. My mother and I didn’t have a great relationship, which is why I wanted a father so badly.”
“Then why didn’t you tell us the truth sooner?” Fallon inquired. “You’ve been working for Dane for over a year.”
“Fallon’s right. We would have accepted you,” Ayden said.
“I wanted to, but I was scared of how I would be received. Dane is a huge superstar. Considering his position, he might have thought I was trying to shake him down or something.”
“Well, aren’t you?” a harsh tenor voice sounded from behind them.
Morgan turned to see Henry. She didn’t know how long he’d been standing there listening to their conversation.
Her father sauntered into the living room and Morgan felt his negativity from where she sat. It enshrouded him like a dark cloak. He looked foreboding even though he was dressed casually in navy trousers and a checkered button-down shirt. “You’re here to claim what’s yours? Isn’t that right?”
“Daddy.” Fallon rose to greet him. Morgan watched as Henry embraced his eldest daughter and accepted the kiss on her cheek, but his eyes never left Morgan’s.
Morgan spoke quietly yet succinctly from the couch. “I’m here because it’s time you acknowledge I’m your daughter.”
“I don’t know what lies your mama has been filling your head with, but I’m not your father.”
“Prove it,” Morgan stated. “Take a DNA test. If I’m wrong, which I don’t think I am, I’ll publicly admit I made the whole story up. But if I’m right—you have to claim me.”
“I don’t have to do a damn thing,” Henry responded, moving toward her until he was inches away. “Who do you think you are? Steamrolling your way into our lives, into my home, and making demands?”
“Back off.” Ayden jumped to his feet. Morgan appreciated that her big brother was ready to defend her from the big bad wolf, but she could fight her own battles.
“I’m—I’m your daughter.” Morgan’s voice broke. “How can you treat me this way?”
Fallon stepped between them and pushed her father backward. “Daddy, please...don’t make this any worse. Do you have any idea how upset Mom is? I know you’re no saint, but admit what you did. Maybe she can forgive you, but if you continue to act as if nothing happened—” she glanced at Morgan “—you’re going to dig yourself deeper into a hole.”
“Fallon, I appreciate what you’re trying to do, but my relationship with Nora is mine alone. I don’t need your interference.”
“I think you do,” Fallon responded hotly. “Look at her!” Once again, Fallon’s gaze rested on Morgan. “She has our same eyes, Daddy. I’m surprised I never saw it before, but I suppose I wasn’t looking.”
“Admit it, Henry!” Ayden snarled. “You cheated on Nora. Just like you did my mother. Be a man about it and own up to what you’ve done!”
Henry walked up to Ayden. And Morgan thought if looks could kill, both men would have been struck dead in an instant. “Don’t get in the middle of this, Ayden, and start stirring up the past. We’ve come to a truce. Let sleeping dogs lie, son.”
Ayden shook his head. “I won’t let you deny another child. Not this time and not on my watch.”
“Why are you both ganging up on me?” Henry asked, looking at Ayden and Fallon. “Isn’t it enough my marriage is in shambles because of this girl?”
“This girl?” Tears sprang to Morgan’s eyes. “This girl grew up poor with nothing to call my own. No friends. We moved from pillar to post as my mother tried to find work, but it’s not easy for an aging Vegas showgirl to find work. She turned to men, hoping they’d take care of her. There was an endless stream of them in and out of her life. In and out of my life. So I never had a father, much less a home. And when the men were gone, the drugs started—until eventually her body gave out from the drug use.”
“I’m sorry for your childhood. Truly I am, but I owe you nothing. And if either of you—” Henry glanced at his other children “—are with her, then you can show yourselves out because I’m done with this conversation.”
Morgan watched in astonishment as the father she’d hoped would acknowledge her walked out of the room. Morgan pulled the knife out of her heart and stood ramrod straight.
“Wow! I can’t believe the nerve of that man.” Ayden scrubbed the stubble on his jaw. “Just when I think he can’t sink any lower, he proves me wrong.”
“I have to go.” Morgan started toward the exit.
“Wait!” Fallon reached for her arm. “Don’t go. Give me some time to talk to him. I can get through to him.”
Ayden nodded. “If anyone can, it’s Fallon. She’s his favorite.”
“Ayden...” Fallon glared at him.
He held up his hands in mock surrender.
“Please stay,” Fallon said softly. “We can figure this out. As a family.”
Morgan snorted. “Didn’t you hear him?” She pointed at the empty doorway. “I’m not your family. I’m a nothing. A nobody. So leave me be. I want no part of any of you!” She wrenched her arm away and ran out.
When she got in the car, Morgan was hyperventilating and tears were streaming down her cheeks. She slammed her fists against the steering wheel.
Damn him!
Why had she let him get to her? She had been determined to be strong and demand what was rightfully hers, but instead Henry Stewart made it obvious he had no intention of recognizing her as his daughter. Instead, he was going to keep his head in the sand and act as if she didn’t exist.
Morgan was done with being nice. She was going to the press with her story and give the press an exposé on the great Henry Stewart. She wouldn’t allow him to ignore her ever again.
Four
“I need to see you right away,” Ruth Robinson told Jared later that evening.
Jared rarely received a summons from his grandmother. In fact, he tried to stay off her radar. Similar to his father, his grandmother wished he was more like his brother. Chris was the smart one with the brains and business acumen to run Robinson Holdings. Chris had never
caused their parents a moment’s worry. He did exactly what was expected of him. Attend Harvard. Check. Attain an MBA. Join Robinson Holdings. Check. Check.
Jared, on the other hand, was the screwup. He’d attained his bachelor’s degree in marketing by the skin of his teeth. He’d been too busy partying it up with his fraternity brothers of Kappa Alpha Psi and taking the ladies to bed to bother with classes. After graduation, he’d taken a year off to travel Europe and then returned home to work at the family business.
After driving through the hills of Westlake overlooking Austin’s skyline, Jared pulled his Porsche Cayman GTS through the gates of his grandmother’s estate and parked. The grounds were kept immaculate by her staff and the house was nothing short of castle-like.
Stepping out of the car, he walked the short distance to the front door and rang the doorbell. A uniformed butler greeted him. “Hey, Antoine.” He patted the older man’s back as he entered the sprawling home. Antoine had been with his grandmother for years and was devoted to her. “Where’s Grandmother?”
“In the library,” Antoine replied. “Allow me to show you there.”
“No need to stand on ceremony. Go back to whatever you were doing. I can find my way.” Jared strolled down the Italian marble corridor until he found his grandmother in the mahogany-paneled library seated in a gold leaf armchair.
“Well, look who finally decided to make an appearance.” She rose to her feet as he walked over and placed a kiss on her cheek.
Ruth Robinson was nothing short of regal with smooth café au lait skin and expert makeup. Even at seventy-five, she looked amazing in a crisp white shirt with billowing sleeves, black slacks and pearls. Her blondish gray hair was in an elegant coiffed bob that reached her shoulders.
Secrets of a Fake Fiancée Page 3
