CHAPTER 5
1118 Words
"Smile more frequently. With his eyes fixed on mine and his voice firm but calm, Aroha said, "You look prettier when you do."
I went cold.
Why does he make my heart race every time? I always feel like I'm slipping into something I can't control when he looks at me like that. In an attempt to look less agitated, I sat up straighter and awkwardly withdrew my hand.
I'm glad my phone rang at that precise moment.
Zofia.
I quickly picked it up. "Hey."
"Your belongings are prepared. When will you be picking them up? Her tone was impatient and sharp as she asked. She was rolling her eyes, and I could tell without seeing her.
I had previously informed her that I was leaving because I had accepted a job that was far from home. I needed to leave fast, so I asked her to help me pack. We're sisters, but we've never really been close. Asking her for a favour is like asking a stranger.
"I’ll be there in an hour," I said, glancing at my watch. It was just past eight. It was still early enough to catch a taxi.
She hung up. She ended the call abruptly.
I turned to Aroha. "I need to head home and grab my things."
"I’ll come with you."
I shook my head. "You're not required to. I am able to—"
"No, I'll be there. It's growing late. He spoke steadily. He spoke in a tone that was neither loud nor rough. I knew better than to argue, though.
He was on his way to the door already.
We arrived at my parents' house an hour later. I stopped Aroha before he could reach for the door handle. If my family saw me with a man, the drama would blow up, and I would rather not deal with that. I didn't want to handle it this way.
"Please wait here."
I exited and went up the path by myself.
I had the impression that I had entered a courtroom. My mom, dad, and Zofia sat on the couch, as if they had been waiting for me. My bag was in the corner. With each step, my heart pounded louder.
Then—smack!
Before I could blink, someone slapped me.
"You have no right to display your face here! My dad screamed, his face flushed with rage, "You've brought shame to this family!"
Stunned, I stared at him while holding my cheek. "W-What did I do?"
"You settled Callum Fraser's debt? Well, where did that money come from? Did you not sell yourself? That explains your pregnancy.
I blinked in surprise. I opened my mouth, but nothing came out.
Logan informed them. I simply didn't anticipate it happening so quickly.
"You see? You believe you're superior to us," Zofia continued, laughing icily. "Look at you now."
I looked at Mom. She remained silent. She sat there and stared as if she hadn't been present.
"Please, Dad." It's not like that," I uttered while crying. I was having trouble breathing because my chest hurt so much. I contributed to his debt repayment. Wasn't that worthless?
"Not in that manner? Then describe!" He squinted his eyes. "Oh, I forgot—you can't, can you?"
I wanted to say, "I-I'm not pregnant," but what if Logan discovered that I was lying? That would lead to even more issues.
"Stop talking! I would rather not listen to your justifications! And now you're escaping with a man we've never met? You're repulsive!"
He held up his hand once more.
I winced, expecting another slap, but it didn't come.
I opened my eyes.
There was Aroha. Aroha gripped my dad's wrist in midair, his jaw clenched, his eyes cold. No one moved for a moment.
"A-Aroha?" Too many emotions struck me at once, causing my voice to break.
He ignored me. "Get your things," he said in a quiet, sharp voice.
My father pulled his arm away. "Who in hell are you? Is this the person who conceived you?
I muttered, "Y-yeah..."
Dad looked Aroha up and down. "This man? Really? "What will he give you—his empty pockets?"
I flinched. Aroha wore faded jeans and a simple shirt. I ought to have advised him to dress more nicely.
Zofia burst into laughter. "What a catch."
Aroha didn't recoil. He looked directly into my dad's eyes. "You're upset because she's pregnant or because she won't be giving you money anymore?"
The room fell silent.
My dad seemed unsure of what to say as his mouth moved back and forth. "What garbage are you saying?"
He got no response from Aroha. His eyes narrowed as he turned to face me. "Get your bags."
Dad lost his temper. He took hold of Aroha's collar. "Stop speaking that way! You think we depend on her?"
I grabbed my suitcase and rushed over. "Dad, let him go. I won't give you a dime going forward if you touch him once more."
He stopped.
It's as simple as that.
He relaxed his hold. He stepped back, his anger melting into something quieter. I felt as though I had just discovered a way to understand him better.
Aroha was correct.
They showed no concern for me. All that mattered to them was what I could provide.
I suppressed more tears by biting the inside of my cheek. They were still my family, no matter what. I also adored them.
However, love did not entail self-loss.
Aroha and I left without exchanging words. We drove away after he opened the door.
It was nearly morning when we returned to the condo. A few birds were beginning to sing, but the sky outside the window remained dark. I lay on the bed and gazed at the ceiling.
I kept thinking about him.
His countenance. His tone. The way he defended me was truly remarkable. For the first time, someone genuinely intervened between my dad and me. He did it without hesitation and without attempting to be a hero.
Aroha used to seem like a creep to me. Right now? I couldn't decide what to think at that moment. His anger was frightening, yet it somehow warmed my chest.
Once more, he allowed me to use the guest room. He allowed me to use the same guest room as previously.
I was appreciative.
I'm also a little let down.
Isn't that strange? Do a husband and wife sleep in separate rooms?
Hold on, husband?
What's the matter with me?
No, no. I'm simply worn out. That's all.
I rolled over and buried my face in the pillow.
However, my heart?
Yes, it continued to whisper things I would rather not hear.
- Writer
