The Stepdaughter by Georgina Cross

Author:Georgina Cross
Language: eng
Format: mobi
ISBN: 9781838889395
Publisher: Bookouture
Published: 2020-09-01T18:30:00+00:00

TWENTY-NINE

VANESSA

The workmen break ground on a custom-made twenty-five-meter pool that will not only be functional and suitable in every way for Mia’s training, but also beautiful, the walls lined with blue and white mosaic tiles, a waterfall at one end made from natural cut limestone, and a nearby pool house and shower where she can rinse off.

When it’s finished, on the eve of Mia’s eleventh birthday, when the dust and noise have gone, the water is tested and set to a sparkling sheen, Tripp celebrates by bringing us outside for a pre-birthday celebration.

He looks so happy—so proud. His wife died but left him with a swimming prodigy, and he has the financial resources to provide her with everything she needs. She doesn’t have to wait for the club pool to open during the summer. She can step right out of the house into her own backyard. The pool is huge, the blue tile giving it an exquisite sapphire color, the sound of the cascading fountain an extra touch of luxury as we stand on the patio and admire the view.

“Do you like it?” Tripp asks Mia.

She nods wholeheartedly, her eyes gleaming. “It’s so pretty,” she says.

“Only the best for my girl.” Tripp scoops her into his arms, and she giggles, her face smooshed against his chest.

The two of them hug while I slice pieces of birthday cake on the patio table. The cake is covered in sprinkles, something Mia picked out excitedly at the bakery. Tripp has opened a bottle of wine for the occasion too, and poured a cup of fruit punch for Mia. There will be a birthday dinner this evening to celebrate, just the three of us. Tomorrow, a pool party for family and friends, including several of Mia’s classmates from school.

“Thank you, Dad. I love it.” She hugs him once more before turning to me, her eyes shining bright. “What do you think, Vanessa? What do you think of my pool?”

“It’s perfect,” I tell her.

She likes the sound of that, her smile growing even wider. “Yes. Perfect.” And then, “Will you swim with me?”

I try to laugh. “Maybe later.”

Tripp looks at me with a grin. “Come on, Vanessa, let’s break it in.”

I step away. “No, not right now.” I’m hoping to blow them off.

“Please,” Mia pleads. “You never swim with me.”

“Don’t be silly, guys. We don’t have our swimsuits on, and we’ve got dinner in an hour.”

“We’ll be real quick.” She makes a pouty face.

“Come on, Vanessa,” Tripp repeats. “For fun’s sake?” He drops down to meet Mia’s face with his own. “Let’s rush in and change. Super speed.”

“Yeah!” she cheers.

“You guys go ahead without me,” I tell them.

“Please, Vanessa.” By this point, Mia’s voice is teetering on whining. She is moving toward me, but I move sideways out of reach, not realizing I’m stepping closer to the pool.

“I don’t want to get wet. My hair … We have dinner …”

“You’re no fun.” Mia looks up at her dad. “You know Vanessa doesn’t go swimming with me at the club? I always want her to.

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