The Alpha's Regret

Chapter 2

{Elle's POV}

“I want my daughter back, Rebecca, whether you like it or not.” The man’s voice had some kind of authority, which surprised me.

He didn’t look that old. In fact, he looked rather young, but not too young. He was probably in his late thirties, had a perfect body build, and stood around six feet tall. His eyes—they reminded me of my customer earlier as well as mine—emerald green, but his were kind of dull.

Is this man really my father?

Finally, I made my presence known in the room, and Aunt Rebecca’s eyes widened when she saw me. The emotion in her eyes immediately registered in my mind—fear with a hint of anger. I suppose that will never change. Even when Mom was still alive, she seemed to have some kind of hatred for me. I never knew why.

I noticed that the man’s attention was not on me but on Millie. His eyes, which resembled mine, held longing in them with a hint of confusion. They flickered down on the necklace, most specifically on the pendant dangling from her neck. I looked at them too and felt something shift inside me, like a switch that had been flickered to life.

I didn’t think twice, and immediately lunged forward.

None of them expected it. I didn’t either. I grab a hold of Millie’s right shoulder and then the necklace before pulling it off of her neck. She didn’t expect it, so she didn’t realize what I had done until I was already in front of them with the necklace clenched in my fist and me breathing heavily.

I have always been so good at concealing my emotions, but I couldn’t say the same about dealing with my anger, especially this intense. I could hardly see clearly. I felt like an angry bull, my face red and flushed with unspoken rage.

I wanted to kill her.

“What the hell?! ”She shrieked, eyes wide, mouth slightly parted in shock, before turning to her mother, seeking an ally. “Mom! Did you see what Elle did? She took my necklace—”

“This is mine! ”I couldn’t believe this girl. Just how f/cked up her life could be that she has to always make mine so much harder than it already is? “This was my mom’s. You have to bury me first before I ever let you have it.” I hissed before putting the necklace in my pocket, away from her line of sight.

Silence followed, and that’s when I realized another pair of eyes were staring at me. I felt my body freeze, but I tried to look at the man at my side. He was unmoving and seemingly just as shocked as I was. His eyes held so much emotion as he stared at me. I could see recognition in them, as if he was finally recognizing me for the first time.

“Ellie, is that finally you? ”The man utters, his voice vulnerable and shaky. By the sound of his voice, I feel like my confirmation is the only thing he needs right now. I realized that whatever my answer would be, he’d believe it.

I had the answer right at the tip of my tongue, but for a moment, I wondered if I should tell him the truth even though the answer was already right in front of him. I didn’t know if this man would be any better than my aunt and cousin. He may have looked for me, but it didn’t change the fact that he was gone most of my life.

I didn’t quite know why I had no father figure in my life. Why I grow up without even knowing him, and why did he leave me? Mom never told me anything, and if she had, I don’t think I would remember it quite well, since I buried every thought I had of my father. I learned to accept that I don’t have a dad, so I never bothered looking for him or wondering where he was.

It won’t do me any good, and it wouldn’t change anything, so why bother?

Before I could even answer, I felt Aunt Rebecca’s tight grip on my upper arm as she harshly pulled me back, away from my father’s piercing gaze. Though, I don’t think that would do her any good since I was a bit taller than her and Aunt Rebecca wasn’t really the tallest person.

“I told you to leave. She doesn’t want to have anything to do with you, and she is living happily under my care! She doesn’t need you! ”She spat venom and, not to mention, lies at my father.

I can’t totally say that I disagree with her first statement, but I’m sure as hell that I wasn’t living happily here. And after what happened this morning, I think I could put up with anything, just not Millie or Aunt Rebecca.

Everything was happening so fast. The pressure was on me. I feel like I have to decide right here and now, or else I will regret standing here with my mouth shut. For once, I want to decide for myself. I want to speak up.

With that thought, I gathered my courage and pulled her hand off of me. It was the first time that I used any strength against her, so I already expected that she would be shocked.

“I am not happy in this house.” I spoke clearly and loudly while looking down at the floor, enough for everybody to hear. “I was never happy in your care.” I slowly looked up and stared at her in the eye. “I didn’t experience the normal teenage life or feel like any of you actually cared about me.” It felt surreal but also satisfying to let out these pent-up emotions inside me.

Aunt Rebecca scoffed. “Oh, now you’re saying that you found an ally, huh? Now, you’re suddenly brave? ”I held myself back to stop flinching. “What an ungrateful child—” She raised an arm to hit me, and I was ready to receive it, but it didn’t come.

Surprised, I turned to my side and saw my father.

“If you lay your hand on my daughter, I won’t hesitate to rip your head off.” I know that he couldn’t possibly do it, but something in the atmosphere tells me that he could. Based on Aunt Rebecca’s reaction, it seemed like she felt it too.

Her bold aura faltered. Fear was very evident in her eyes as she looked at my father, but she tried her best to look brave enough.

I stilled. For the first time, someone defended me; someone stood up for me.

Daughter…

After so many years, I felt this feeling again—like I was a kid who could depend on her parents. That I don’t have to carry everything by myself because someone who actually cares for me has my back.

“I’m going to take my daughter with me whether you like it or not, Rebecca. I have the right to take my daughter, especially if she was living in a household that brought nothing but abuse to her. If you’re worried about the expenses you spent on her, don’t worry; I will pay you back.” He hissed.

I don’t know, but something about dad seemed authoritative. His voice was strong and held so much authority that it made me wonder if he liked to boss people around or if he was somewhat important—like a leader or something.

He’ll take me with him. That statement slowly processed in my mind.

Should I pack now? I don’t have much to take with me, especially since Aunt Rebecca destroyed most of my things earlier, but I still have some important things in the basement, so I couldn’t leave just yet.

Doubts still linger in my head, but I wanted to leave this place as soon as possible. Maybe this was what I had been waiting for; maybe this was the sign I needed.

“Ellie,” I heard my dad call. I looked at him, waiting for what he was going to say. “Pack all your belongings. We’re leaving this house tonight.”

When those words left my dad’s mouth, I immediately went into action and proceeded to take all my things that were in the basement. It still felt weird that, finally, I was acknowledging someone as my father, but one question still remains: why now?

He could have done this years ago. Heck, he could have stayed with me and Mom, so why did he leave, and why was he here now? I have no doubt that he was indeed my father, but the uncertainty of leaving the life I got used to was not that easy.

I put Mom’s necklace in a small red box and hid it inside my bag along with the other necessary things, including some clothes. I felt my heart break when I saw the broken frame of me and mom, as well as the torn pieces of paper that contained her only letter for me.

Mom, please guide me. I hope this is the freedom I’ve been longing for.

I didn’t pack much, so I managed to put everything in a backpack before I went upstairs to where everyone was.

Dad instantly stood up. Millie and Aunt Rebecca were there too, but Mr. Smith was no longer around. I wasn’t even surprised. I noticed that the man—the customer earlier at the café—was also not around anymore. I wonder who he was. Why was he with my dad? Is him being in the café I was working in not a coincidence?

“What an ungrateful child.” Aunt Rebecca started, staring at the backpack slung on my shoulder, but she didn’t dare to make a move. “After everything we have done for you, after I gave you a roof to stay in for years, after feeding you with foods that I bought with my money, this is how you’re going to repay me? ”She scoffed.

I stopped right in front of her. The fear of being slapped or hurt by her or Millie was there, but when I saw my dad, I felt somehow protected and confident, to say the least.

“I’m here to say thank you and goodbye.” Her eyebrows raised in surprise, but then she scoffed and let out a mocking laugh. I ignored her and turned to Millie. “Thank you for being my cousin and for not letting a day pass without tormenting me. I hope karma gets back to you,” I said bluntly.

“Why you b/tch—”

“And thank you, Aunt Rebecca, for your so-called ‘help and care’. I was really grateful for it.” My voice was heavy and thick with sarcasm. I know it will anger them, and it would be my pleasure.

And I was right.

Anger flared in their eyes, but before they could say anything, I turned to my dad. He still had this serious expression on his face, and I could feel the anger radiating off of him, but I felt kind of good to see the glint of pride in the depths of his dull green eyes.

It was as if he was proud that I stood up for myself.

“Come on,” he said.

I nodded and walked before him.

I could feel two pairs of eyes on my back as I walked, but I didn’t bother turning back. This will be the last time that I ever set foot in this house, and I will never look back on those people who made my life hell. This is a new opportunity for me to start over and reclaim the freedom and happiness I lost the moment I lived in this house.

I was surprised to see our customer earlier, whose name is still a mystery to me, in the driver's seat of the car parked outside. Dad went to the passenger seat beside him while I was left in the backseat of the car. The car ride was quiet until I saw that we were nearing the café where I was working.

“Can you stop over there? ”I pointed at the café. The man looked at Dad as if asking for permission, so Dad nodded in approval. He parked the car in a small parking space in the café, and I immediately went out.

Earlier, when I was in the basement, I wrote a resignation letter because I knew this would be the last time that I would be in this city. I didn’t want to suddenly vanish without informing them. Mrs. Harrison has done so much for me, and I at least want to thank her for the last time.

It was the middle of the night, but she usually stopped over here at this hour to get her things since she used to leave them, including some papers inside her office.

“Elle? What are you doing here? ”Relief washed over me when I saw that she was just about to close the back door of the café. "Goodness, Elle, it's already midnight. What are you doing here at this hour? Is everything okay?”

I tried to smile. Anna Harrison was like my guardian angel. She cared for me more than those people who claimed to be my ‘so-called’ family.

“I...” I hesitated and then sighed. I knew I had to do this one way or another. “I wanted to give you this.” I handed her the piece of paper in my hand—my resignation letter.

Confusion was evident in her face as she hesitantly took the paper from me. She skimmed through it, and her brows furrowed even more.

“Resignation letter? ”She looked at me in question. “You’re resigning? Why? Is there any problem? Are you having a hard time—”

“No, Anna. Everything is fine.” I rushed the words out, reassuring her. “I’m here to say thank you for literally everything you’ve done for me. I’m so grateful for that, Anna. I’m very thankful for all the help you’ve given me, and I always will.”

Her face softens. “Why do I feel like you’re saying goodbye? ”

I smiled sadly. “Because I am. Something came up, and I’m leaving the city, but don’t worry, I’m fine. I’m happy. I will be,” I sincerely said. I didn’t tell her about Dad suddenly coming up, but I could see that what I said was enough.

She smiled and nodded in understanding. “You’re a good kid, Elle. Take care, always.”

“You too, Anna.” I handed her another letter. “If Nicky comes by to ask for me, please give her this. Everything went so fast, and I had no time to say goodbye to her.”

“Of course, Elle.”

I said my final goodbye before going back to the parking lot where Dad was waiting for me. After I closed the door, the man started driving immediately, and another silence passed. They didn’t ask any questions, which I felt grateful for. I wanted silence. I want to think about everything that happened tonight. It was so fast that I was starting to think that maybe this was all just a dream.

Here in front of me was my father, whom I’d never met in my life—not that I remember—and we were on our way to somewhere unknown to me. A new place for me to start a new life where anything could happen, where anything could change in just a blink of an eye.

I don’t know if I was ready for the things that would unfold right before my eyes in the new place that we were bound to go, but I realized that I didn’t have to wonder for too long because the answer would show itself to me in a way that I never thought was possible.