Chapter 22 Rina Is My Daughter
Sabrina could feel the air around Theodore growing colder by the second.
It was like they were back to square one, strangers sizing each other up, walls firmly in place.
And honestly, she thought that was how it should be.
A faint smirk tugged at her lips.
1/7
She’d never been good at playing the warm–and–fuzzy family role. She felt that kind of cozy, heartfelt drama was better left to pros like Brianna.
Theodore’s chest tightened with frustration. For the first time, he felt powerless.
He couldn’t crack what was going on in Sabrina’s head, but one thing was clear. He knew this kid was like a prickly little hedgehog, starved for love yet bristling with spines to keep everyone at bay.
He let out a dry huff, shifting uncomfortably. “Hey, kid, don’t forget I’m your real dad.
“I’ve got everything I could want, so I’m not scheming to squeeze something out of a young brat like you.”
Chapter 22 Rina Is My Daughter
Even though she was a tough nut to crack, he wasn’t about to yank out her defenses by force.
He figured she’d lower them herself one day when she ready.
Was
2/7
Sabrina just stared at him, caught off guard. She hadn’t expected that response at all.
She’d braced for him to ice her out, maybe even resent her.
Instead, there he was, saying the most un–Theodore–like things. Wide–eyed and frozen in place, she looked like a stunned little penguin, awkward and utterly adorable.
Theodore reached out, giving her messy hair a firm ruffle, and grinned. “Kids should act like kids. Don’t overthink stuff. It’ll make you less cute.”
“I’m not a kid,” Sabrina shot back, pouting. Cute or not, she
couldn’t care less.
Still, his words lifted the heavy cloud that had settled over her, brightening her mood in an instant.
Then a thought struck her. “Wait, were you the one who got that trending topic taken down?”
She felt it had to be Theodore.
“Yeah, that was me,” he admitted.
Chapter 22 Rina Is My Daughter
3/7
Sabrina fixed him with a serious look. “Can you let it stay up a bit longer?”
She felt pulling it so fast like letting the culprits off too easy.
Theodore caught her drift with a single glance and nodded without hesitation.
On the drive back, his phone buzzed relentlessly.
He kept hanging up, but the caller wouldn’t quit.
He was about to switch it off when Sabrina’s clear voice cut through. “Aren’t you gonna answer? What if it’s important?”
She peered at his phone, curiosity sparkling in her eyes.
“It’s nothing urgent,” Theodore said, glancing at the familiar number flashing on the screen. His expression cooled.
Then, as if making up his mind, he turned to her. “Rina, tonight’s your grandpa’s sixtieth birthday. Come with me, alright?”
He watched her closely, holding his breath for her reply.
“Sure,” she said, meeting his hopeful gaze. She couldn’t bring herself to say no.
After a beat, she added, “Do I need to get a gift?”
“Nah, I’ve got it covered,” Theodore replied, his face darkening
Chapter 22 Rina Is My Daughter
4/7
as he thought of his father, Gabriel Fridman, and the rest of the
Fridman clan’s antics.
After a moment’s hesitation, he decided to give her a heads–up.
“The Fridman family’s a mess. My dad’s got a temper, so just stick close to me when we’re there.
“And steer clear of Nicholas and Wesley. Those two are loose cannons.” His brow furrowed at the mention of that father–son duo, hoping they wouldn’t spook her.
Sabrina didn’t know the details of the Fridman family drama, but she nodded anyway.
That evening, Theodore brought in a top–notch styling team just
for her.
The moment they laid eyes on Sabrina, they were floored.
They’d worked with celebrities and heiresses aplenty, seen beauty in all forms, but Sabrina? She was on another level.
The makeup artist stood before her flawless face, brush in hand, momentarily stumped on where to even start.
“Miss, your skin’s unreal!” he gushed. She was a stunner without. a speck of makeup.
Her complexion was so smooth and delicate that the artist couldn’t resist giving her cheek a gentle pinch.
Chapter 22 Rina Is My Daughter
This face was baby–soft, not a flaw in sight.
In the end, he kept it simple, putting just a light layer of foundation and keeping it a natural look.
She didn’t need heavy glam to turn heads.
It was the easiest gig the makeup artist had ever had.
5/7
The stylist swept her hair into an elegant updo, framing her delicate features perfectly. The result was a blend of regal grace and youthful innocence.
Sabrina picked out a white strapless mini–dress.
The fabric hugged her slender waist, accentuating every curve.
Every inch of exposed skin was perfection. Her graceful neck, her sculpted collarbone, and the delicate sweep of her shoulder blades were drawing eyes like a magnet.
“She’s breathtaking,” the team murmured, practically in a
trance.
Theodore always knew his daughter was gorgeous, but seeing her now still took his breath away.
He opened a velvet box and pulled out a white pearl necklace, stepping forward to clasp it around her neck himself.
Each pearl glowed softly, framed by dazzling diamonds that caught the light in a quiet, luxurious shimmer.
Chapter 22 Rina Is My Daughter
“This looks expensive,” Sabrina remarked. She didn’t know much about jewelry, but she could tell this piece was worth a fortune.
6/7
Theodore shook his head. “Not really. It’s a gift from me, as your father, to welcome you home.”
It was long overdue, he thought.
This was the first time he’d called himself her father in front of her. Sabrina’s eyes flickered with something, surprise, maybe, and she opened her mouth but couldn’t find the words. Finally, she just murmured, “Thanks.”
Theodore knew she’d built a fortress around her heart. Breaking through would take time, showing her he meant every bit of this.
When they arrived at the banquet hall that night, Theodore offered his right arm. Sabrina slipped hers through it naturally, and together they stepped into the spotlight.
All eyes turned their way.
Sabrina was sharp when it came to reading a room.
She could feel that the gazes cast upon them were filled with curiosity, scrutiny, and a few with disdain.
Theodore ignored the crowd, guiding her straight toward
Gabriel.
Chapter 22 Rina Is My Daughter
There he sat, at the center of it all, surrounded by fawning. guests like a king on his throne.
He barely glanced up when Theodore approached.
7/7
Spotting the girl at his son’s side, Gabriel’s brow creased, a flash of disappointment crossing his face.
“You’re dragging just anybody into the family now? What do you take the Fridmans for?” he grumbled, his tone heavy with disapproval, not even bothering to look at them properly.
Theodore’s jaw tightened. “Dad, watch what you say. We are in public.”
He could handle Gabriel’s jabs at him, but he wouldn’t let them land on Rina.
Raising his voice for everyone to hear, Theodore declared, “Rina’s my daughter, and she’s your granddaughter.”
