Chapter 5 Cruel Father
1086 Words
Liam was about to say something, but Chloe was quicker. She turned to my trembling, bleeding Cecilia.
“You! I knew we should have kept Tiffany away from you. How can you be so selfish? Stealing attention was always what you wanted. Now, here we go; you’ve got it. Are you happy now that you've ruined your birthday party?” She spoke with such hatred that it made Cecilia cry harder. My wolf wanted to tear her apart, and the protective mother in me surged to the forefront.
"How dare you blame my daughter for the things your daughter did?" I demanded. Before Chloe could respond, Liam intervened.
“Enough!” he shouted, commanding us with an authority reminiscent of an Alpha addressing its werewolves, but it didn’t intimidate me.
“Liam, Cecilia did nothing wrong. Chloe and Tiffany planned this. I’ve watched them from a distance. Tiffany took Cecilia here and literally tore the tiara from her hair. I saw it with my own eyes. She pushed Cecilia to the table and then threw herself on the floor like she was the victim,” I pleaded with Liam, but it was clear he didn't believe me.
"Daddy, that isn't the truth!” Tiffany cried. “Why would I do such a thing to Cecilia? You know I always wanted to be friends with her, but she always refuses me because she hates me!” She started sobbing and buried her face into her mother's chest.
“Liam, just check the security camera,” I urged him, but I could see he was getting frustrated, his wolf close to surfacing. Yet, he wasn’t angry with Tiffany; he was angry with Cecilia.
“You- how dare you lay a hand on Tiffany? You are my daughter, my blood, and all you do is disgrace me,” Liam shouted at my trembling Cecilia, which made her grip my arm tightly, causing the glass shards to cut my skin and to cut deeper into her palm.
“Liam,” I yelled. “Stop it! You’re scaring her. Check that camera now and apologise to Cecilia.”
“What? Why should I apologise to a spoiled child who is always seeking attention?” he retorted. “I can’t believe I wasted so much time and money organising this birthday party for her! She deserves nothing. From now on, nothing will come from me until you learn to behave,” he spat at Cecilia, who trembled even more in my embrace, as if he had forgotten the sad fact that Cecilia had around three months to live.
I held her tightly and whispered, "Don't be scared, baby, mummy is here. I promise I won’t let anyone hurt you." But even if I tried to calm my little one down, I feared even more as I felt her tiny body start to quiver abnormally.
“Cecilia? Look at me,” I urged, desperately searching her tiny face that was now paler than I’d ever seen. The light in her eyes felt dim, like she wasn't even present in spirit.
“Cecilia, please, look at me!” I begged, my voice catching in my throat as tears tumbled down my cheeks.
My heart beat fast, and my chest hurt at the thought that Cecilia's time had come. Fear ran down my spine at the thought that the Moon Goddess might choose her birthday to take her away from us.
Liam's eyes widened, showing fatherly worry as he took the first step toward us, maybe to check on his daughter, or maybe to rush her to the hospital. All attention turned to us as I pleaded for my little girl to stay with me.
I thought Liam had finally realised the damage his words had caused, but I was wrong; in the background, I could hear Chloe’s voice, making Liam stop in his tracks.
"Tiffany? What is wrong, darling?" she screamed, drawing everyone's focus to them.
"Liam, I think she has a sudden high fever. She needs medical attention immediately!" Chloe yelled, drawing Liam's attention back to them. He didn’t hesitate this time; he scooped Tiffany into his strong arms and rushed out of the ballroom, followed closely by Chloe. They left us behind because Tiffany needed urgent medical help.
Cecilia, however, had clearly experienced an episode, but no one seemed to care— not even her father.
"Please, someone call an ambulance!" I begged the small crowd around us, but no one listened. They were all rushing after their Alpha, who was hurrying to take his precious daughter to the hospital.
"Please, someone call an ambulance!" I shouted louder to the disappearing crowd, but no one turned around, as if we weren't even there.
My attention shifted back to Cecilia as I noticed her little body had stopped trembling.
"Cecilia?" I called out, but her eyes were closed. A wave of fear coursed through my spine, and I knew I had to calm myself. I couldn’t panic; my little one needed immediate help.
"Don't lose it, Serena," I heard Sasha’s desperate voice. "I parked my car at the entrance. It will be quicker than waiting for an ambulance," she said, cradling Cecilia's body while allowing me to stand up.
Together, we rushed outside. When I tried to get into the backseat, Sasha stopped me.
"No, I think it’s best if you drive," she said, handing me the car key.
Though I was frustrated, I agreed. Once I got into the car, I focused on getting us to the hospital as quickly as possible, determined to make sure we arrived safely.
I turned on the engine, which drew everyone’s attention back to us. The sound of the sports car’s engine was music to my ears.
"Hold on, baby, mummy will take you to the hospital", I said, stepping on the gas.
The guests jumped out of the way, clearly frightened that I might hit them as I manoeuvred the car out of the decorated garden and sped toward the gate.
Liam's car came into view ahead of us, and I took a moment of satisfaction as I overtook them with a daring manoeuvre.
"My daughter will get to the hospital first," I whispered to myself, feeling a bit unhinged. Liam honked at me, but I didn’t care. Soon, I lost sight of their car, and it only took me about five minutes to reach the hospital.
"Quickly, please! My daughter had an episode!" I shouted at the reception desk as we rushed Cecilia inside.
- Writer
