Chapter 4

I took off running.

My heart was pounding and my lungs felt like they were about to explode but I pushed on, forcing my feet to keep moving.

“Wait,” he yelled.

The hell I would. But he was close.

Not bothering to stop, I glanced back to see how much space was between us but didn't have enough time to stop or change direction when I looked forward.

I slammed hard into a tree, knocking the wind right out of me and crumpling to the floor in an unceremonious heap.

Stars danced around the edges of my vision and out of the corner of my eyes, I saw the man approach.

It was sad that my life would end this way. I guess that's what I got for not being an obedient child.

As my consciousness eroded, he hefted me off the ground and started to carry me off somewhere.

At least I wouldn't be awake for what came next.

I only hoped he would have the decency to not let me wake up.

****

I woke up in a cold sweat after a long, fretful sleep. My side ached but that didn't matter once I realised I wasn't in my bed.

I shot out of the bed, enveloped in panic and unsure of how I got there.

Oscar my hus – that bastard. That damn bastard. He kicked me out of my own house and I had to freeze my ass off in the park.

The park. Oh no.

I had a vague recollection of being carried by a man. Was I in his house?

I reached into the drawer and pulled out a pair of scissors, slowly approaching the door. How did I know that was there?

I peaked out into the empty hallway and the aroma of breakfast blasted me in the face. What kind of kidnapper would bring me to his home?

I inches out of the room down the hallway and the closer I got to the stairs, the more the house looked familiar.

A voice was humming from somewhere downstairs. Humming a tune my mother used to–

My legs started to move before my brain caught up. I ran for the kitchen to find the owner of the voice.

She was prancing around the kitchen, brown hair flowing behind her as if she were in a commercial, humming the tune she used to sing me to sleep with. My breath caught in my throat.

“M-mom?”

She turned to me, wide-eyed. The spoon she was holding dropped to the floor as she rushed with outstretched arms to me.

“Oh my baby.”

“Mom.” I threw myself into her arms and held on tight, tears streaming down my face. I felt so warm, so calm. Two things I hadn't experienced in a long time.

“I missed you mom. I'm so sorry. I–”

She shushed me instantly and wiped the tears from my eyes. “You’re here now, sweetheart, and that's all that matters.”

We stayed in each other's arms until the smell of burning food choked us.

“Dad?” I asked as she battled the smoke detector.

“He's where he usually is.”

“Will he… What do I say, mom?”

She walked up to me and cupped my face in her soft hands. “He's your father and he loves you, okay?”

I nodded as she kissed my forehead.

“Now go see him and hurry back. Breakfast isn't going to eat itself.”

I gave her a quick hug before heading for my father's study. Each step, my legs felt heavier but I dragged myself along.

Standing outside his study, I willed myself to open the door but my hands wouldn't move.

I stayed there for ages in a battle of wills with myself.

“Come in.” His voice was like thunder on a quiet night.

My hand moved on its own, turning the door knob before I stepped in.

He stood staring out a window with his back to me. Even being as old as he was, he still cast an imposing shadow, broad shouldered and towering over most people at 6”5.

I couldn't find the words to say. Everytime I tried to speak, a million thoughts would fill my mind.

What could I say to the man who raised me and gave me the best life I could have ever had? To the man who I betrayed so badly he disowned me?

“Dad, I–”

Before I could get the words out, I was wrapped in her bear hug.

I started bawling. The emotions choked me and I could speak coherently.

I was that little girl again that scraped her knee while learning to ride a bicycle. I was the little girl cradled in her fathers arms, in pain but safe.

“I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, dad. I'm sorry.”

“Shhh, that's enough,” he said, stroking my hair. “It's alright.”

After what seemed like ages, my body stopped rocking with sobs and the wells in my eyes were emptied.

“Dad, how can you forgive me so easily?”

He chuckled. “You are a stubborn child but you're my child. You have to make your own mistakes and learn from them. After everything you've been through, I'm sure you've learnt.”

“I have.”

“My own daughter, sleeping in the park and scared for her life.” He shook his head at the revolting thought. “I've been keeping tabs on you but I couldn't interfere. So many times, I wanted to beat that bastard to within an inch of his life but you would have hated me for it.”

He was watching me? I shed a tear knowing he must have hated the person I became because of love. Such a far cry from who he raised me to be. I let myself be used and discarded. That was all on me. All the shit Celia put me through was nothing compared to the betrayal from Oscar. That bastard will pay.

He must have recognized the look in my eyes.

“They took everything from you; your house, your baby. They humiliated you. What do you want to do?”

Those damn bastards. “I want their heads,” I growled.

“Good,” he grinned. “You are ready to take over Renard. You will make a fine, ruthless CEO.”