Stranded

Chapter One


“Have you any idea the embarrassment you’ve caused this family, young lady?”

India stared at the floor, unable to meet her father’s intense scrutiny.

“Your father is speaking, the least you can do is look at us when we’re addressing you,” Leila Powers scolded.

India lifted her head, still not catching either parent’s gaze. “What do you expect me to say?”

Her father huffed in his annoyance. “An explanation would be a start. What were you thinking to make a scene like that—in front of all those people no less? Haven’t we taught you better than that?”

Wrapping her arms around herself, India stood and walked over to the window. The fierceness of their stares burned a hole in her back. “Everything there is to say was said at the restaurant. Steven and I are through. I can’t marry him.”

“Are you out of your ever lovin’ mind? He’s a Cartwright! Do you know how connected his family is? Not to mention their money. What possible reason could you have for rejecting and humiliating a fine young man like that—and us?” Her mother’s voice had grown progressively louder with each word spoken.

India was fast losing her temper. She’d called off her engagement tonight and all her parents could think about was themselves. Any second now they’d mention Jack.

“Jack would never act the way you did tonight. I’m very disappointed in you, India.” Her father acted as if she’d just committed murder.

Tears swam in her eyes and she let her arms fall to her sides, fists clenched. “I’ve always been a disappointment to you two, so what else is new?”

Trevor Powers gripped her shoulder and turned India around to face him. “Don’t sass me, girl.”

She pulled out of his hold. “Do you really want to know why I called off the engagement? Because I caught your precious idol in bed with another woman!” she screamed her anger.

Her father recoiled as if he’d been hit.

“I guess Steven isn’t as perfect as you guys think he is,” India muttered.

India’s mother joined them, and patted her on the arm as if she were a mentally challenged child. “India, you’re the one he’s going to marry. Do you mean to tell me you’re going to let a silly misunderstanding come between you marrying a fine, upstanding young man like Steven? He was just featured in Ebony magazine as one of the most eligible bachelors in the country. He’ll eventually run for public office like his father. Not only is he politically connected, his family has money. A lot of it! Use the good sense God gave you, child.”

India should have known her parents wouldn’t offer much in the way of support, especially when her decision had gone against their plans.

“Your mother is right, India. I’m sure you overreacted. Steven is a powerful man. There are bound to be times when he needs to let off some steam.”

Did she hear him correctly? Was her father telling her it was okay for Steven to cheat on her because he was successful? “Is that what you call it?” India snorted in disgust.

Trevor rolled his eyes. “You can’t expect people in Steven’s world to be completely faithful. He is a man, after all. You should be grateful someone like him wanted you. Think about it, girl, you’re not going to get better than him again.”

What a thing to say to one’s daughter. If she weren’t so used to this from her parents, it would hurt far more than it did.

Her head began to throb. Arguing with her parents was like banging her head into a brick wall. “Look, I’m going home. You’re obviously not going to support my decision, which by the way is final, so there’s no point in continuing this conversation.” India walked to the couch where she’d left her jacket and collected it along with her purse.

Her father tried to stall her. “We’re not through talking to you, India.”

She snatched her arm away. “But I’m through talking about it. Goodnight.” She didn’t stop walking until she made it to her car, despite their calls for her to come back.

There was no pleasing them. It wasn’t enough that she’d gotten good grades, graduated at the top of her class, held a law degree and a respectable job, or that she’d done everything they’d ever asked of her. No matter how hard she tried to be what they wanted, she couldn’t.

India’s parents had let her know in none too subtle ways she’d been unwanted—an “oops” who’d come along in their lives when they should have been enjoying their golden years together.

Trevor and Leila Powers had been happy in their family of three until she’d come along. They’d already had their one perfect child in Jack. He could do no wrong. She on the other hand could do no right. Growing up, it had hurt seeing how much more they cared for her unappreciative brother, beaming at every single nonachievement in his life, while she had to do headstands to get their attention.