Adeline

CHAPTER THREE

ADELINE'S POV

It was exactly 1:35 a.m. My wounds had been dressed, and my dad had booked a presidential two-bedroom suite at one of New York's spotlight luxury hotels. He owned three out of New York's top five, so it was never difficult for him.

He got tired of asking me to sleep, and even though I was already so tired, I didn't want the conversation to be postponed for even a second more. It took everything in me to convince my dad to spare Xavier at least for the night, but he was a walking hell at this point, pacing back and forth in front of my bed.

“How long has this been going on?” He breathed out, almost inaudibly.

“Weeks?”

“Adeline?!”

“Fine, months. I've been at his place for a few months now,” I admitted without a fight.

“And does your mother know about this?”

At the moment, his eyes were shooting red-hot daggers at me. I swallowed hard after he repeated his question several times more. I had no plans of selling out my mum, so I just kept quiet until he was able to make the conclusion by himself.

“I'm so sorry, dad. I didn't mean for all of this to happen. I am just so in love with Xavier and I thought I could win him over.”

“How beautiful do your words sound to you? You have everything back home–a life every girl on earth craves to have, you have every damn luxury, you have your parents’ love and even that of your brothers, you have everything, yet you chose to settle for that thing?!”

“Dad!” I fired back, defensively. “Please, we can have this conversation without cussing Xavier, okay?”

“Adeline?” He called out in clear disappointment.

“I love him, dad,” I sighed.

First, there was a momentary silence before he sat on the edge of my bed.

“We're leaving first thing at daybreak–”

“Dad, please, you can't do this–”

“We are not having more of this conversation, Adeline. Go to bed.”

“Can't you see that I'm in love with Xa–”

“Can't you see that you're in love with a rascal who doesn't even know your worth?! Can't you see that the ruthless bachelor doesn't even feel the slightest bit of human sympathy towards you? Can you take a look at your face, Adeline?!” He thundered as he rose from the bed to face me. His face was both a mix of anger and disappointment; however, I still wasn't going to give in to his request. I was no longer his two-year-old fairytale princess and he needed to understand that.

“What has my actual worth ever gotten me?!” I fired back again, standing from my bed as well. “The men who know my real identity are either scared to approach me because of my background or because Derick Luther is my father. If they're not scared, then they just want me because getting to me is indirectly getting to you, and getting to you means increasing their wealth and fame. I don't want any of that dad!” I cried, but he only furrowed his brows in disgust.

“Of course, he doesn't even know you're my daughter, does he?” He scoffed under his breath, running his fingers through his hair in frustration.

“Yes, he doesn't! I'm so tired of people not seeing me for who I really am, dad. The only thing they see in me is your fame, your connections, your intimidating aura, and your money. I am so tired of that!”

“Can you hear yourself?!”

“I can and I know exactly what I'm saying!” I paused to look him in the eyes before telling him the last line on my mind. “I don't want to go back with you, dad. I don't want to stay in your mansion since all it does is to give me a personality that keeps me away from real people. I want to stay here and fight for Xavier, at least,” I lowered my voice, refusing to see how badly I was hurting him with my words.

“Do you know that he has a woman already?” He questioned, while trying to make eye contact.

His question meant that he knew everything, and if I wanted to keep fighting, there was no reason to lie or keep hiding things from him. Instead, I now had all the reasons to plead and if possible, beg him to help me out.

“He has a flaw,” I corrected, remembering that Xavier is not even fully committed to Katherine.

“You know I'd do anything for you, princess, but Xavier, or whatever his name is, is a disgrace to our legacy. He doesn't even weigh a quarter of the scale I set up for you. Plus you're the only reason why he's not gnashing his teeth and groaning in pain now,” He took careful steps towards me, tucking a few strands of my hair behind my ears. “You always listen to me, sweetheart. What did he do to you?” His voice softened before he finally pulled me into a soothing embrace.

Again, I let all my emotions slip through the tears that tirelessly poured down from my eyes. No matter how madly in love I was with Xavier, the truth was still crystal clear: he never treated me right. My dad held me in place, rubbing my back with his large palms while I performed the rite of soaking the rich fabric of his shirt.

“I'm so sorry,” I whispered through my heavy tears. If there were two people I'd swear never to have a fight with throughout my stay on earth, it was my mum and dad. Yet here I am, doing the exact opposite. “I'm sorry I lashed out at you…”

“Shhh… it's okay. Xavier doesn't deserve you,” he whispered back

“But I love him. I love him and I know that if I'm given enough time, I'll make him to love me back,” I hugged him tighter than I already was, wondering what it would feel like if I was hugging Xavier instead.

“Oh, my little princess… You took after your father's anger and your mother's stubbornness,” He sighed into my left ear, still holding me in his embrace. “You still manage to melt cold walls, regardless. You're my gorgeous weakness and while I can't stand you in pain now, I also can't grant you a temporary happiness if what follows is severe anguish and pain,” He spoke with so much weight in each word.

“I'll be responsible for whatever happens, dad,” I assured him while drawing back from his embrace. I stared into his eyes with grave yearning, hoping to finally let him see through me and my feelings for Xavier.

“Do you really love him that much?” He questioned as if he was already scared of my answer.

“Yes, dad. I really love Xavier.”

“Come here,” he pecked my forehead while holding me so closely as though this would be the last time we'd see each other. “I'll see what I can do about it.”

My heart sank with each word that escaped his lips. It felt like he had given me his blessings and all I needed was to go kiss the damn groom. ‘Poor, Adeline,’ I sighed inwardly before giving in to the smile of victory that curved on my face.