~ JESSE ~
My father's words were so obviously not true, I shuddered, shaking my head and grimacing. 'Stop, Cazz! I told you, I don't want him saying anything that he doesn't mean!'
'Oh he means it,' Cazz sent back, still snarling at my father. 'He just needed a reminder of what royalty actually meant. I didn't compel him to value you, Jesse. He's doing that on his own. And rightly so. It disgusts me that God gave this man you as a daughter.'
"I'm so sorry, sweetheart-so sorry. I didn't see you before, but I do now!" he gasped. "I wish I'd done it differently. You're so much better than the boys-like your mom was-and I wish I could go back and understand that before. I would have done better, sweetie."
"Stop calling me sweetie!" I snapped.
My father raised his hands, but kept his head low. "I just want you to understand how I feel-"
