Chapter 34. Conversation

“Am I?”

My eyes widened as I felt my whole body freeze. Wait. Was that…

“River?” I tried calling him on the other line, but he didn’t answer.

He didn’t need to. I know it was his voice. Like my parents, I’ve memorized it in a span of time. But… Is he the one my father was talking to? Not me?

When my father said that someone was forgetting their place… Is he talking about River?

Then, if that’s the case, River must be the one who gave me this phone and not Dad. But why? Why does he want me to hear their conversation?

“I’m not even kidding right now, River. So I will appreciate it if you will take my words seriously,” Dad answered, the authority and coldness evident in his voice. “This marriage arrangement with Hans Continental is not a suggestion or a wish. It is necessary. Serenity must marry.”

“And just because of that fact, do you think you can toss me aside? Or ask me to step back?”

River didn’t even hesitate when he asked that ques