Chapter 9
1204 Words
The next morning, I woke to the steady beep of machines and the warmth of a familiar hand wrapped tightly around mine –just like when I was a child and my dad would sit beside my bed after a nightmare.
“Daddy…” I said softly.
Just as he noticed I called out to him,his face lit up as if the world just handed him a second chance.
“My little princess,” he whispered,his voice filled with relief as his grip tightened. his gaze softened, then broke. “I’m so sorry,my little girl. I should’ve been there. I should’ve seen the signs but I failed to protect you. “It's all my fault” he sobbed
I tried to speak, but he continued.
“If Adrian hadn’t brought you here…” His voice broke. “I flew back the moment I heard. As for Noah,he’s gone. I sent him away.”
My chest tightened.
“For now,”, he said gently, brushing my hair back, “I just want you to rest okay?”
I nodded, forcing a faint smile but deep down, I couldn't shake off the guilt I felt.
I defended the wrong person,
And pushed the right one away.
Dad kissed my forehead before leaving. the moment the door shut behind him,my smile faded. Tears trickled down my face as I cried helplessly into the pillow.
Then, the door opened again.
It was Noah.
“Nat, listen,” he said hurriedly. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean–”
“Get out,” I said, barely above a whisper.
“What?”
“You heard me.”
I lifted my gaze, meeting his with quiet fury. That’s when his expression changed from soft remorse twisting into something bitter and ugly.
“You stupid girl” he snapped.“I stayed friends with you because I thought your dad might notice me someday. Maybe share part of his wealth with me. You were just a strategy, not a friend.”
My breath hitched.
“You're just a lazy, weak,spoiled brat living off my efforts.” His lips curled.’You're so gullible for thinking I ever liked you.’
Hearing those words,something inside me just snapped.
“You wanna know something Noah, you were never my protector,” I said, my voice steady despite the fire burning through me. “Infact,you were a leech feeding off my father’s wealth, pretending to be’loyal’.”
His stared at me stunned.
“I hate you,” I continued, the words pouring out like fire.“I loathe you with the force of a hundred typhoons and I’m ashamed I ever called you my friend.”
His face darkened, filled with rage
“You will lose everything,” I said quietly,rage consuming me.”And you know my dad. He knows people– people that put you in jail for a long, long time.”
I stood up, stepping closer to him.
“And for the record, you're not even half as tough as me.I said sharply.“You will suffer and I will dance with joy, knowing that.”
I met his eyes without blinking.
“Get the hell out. Now.”
Before he could say more, sirens pierced the air outside-sharp,relentless.
Noah froze.
The sound grew louder, closer.
Footsteps echod in the hallway.
Then the door burst open
“Police don’t move.”
Noah spun around just as two officers stepped in, hands already in the air.
“What is this?” he shouted. “You can’t–”
“You’re under arrest for assault, fraud, and attempted exploitation,” one officer said coldly. “Hands behind your back.”
“No no no this is a mistake!” Noah struggled as cuffs around his wrists.
From the doorway, I saw my father watching–silent, unyielding.
As Noah was dragged away, his eyes met mine;wild, desperate.
And for the first time,I didn't flinch.
The sirens faded into the distance.
So did he.
Later that evening, I was discharged from the hospital.The ride home was quiet, but my thoughts screamed Adrian
The way I had pushed him away.
The way he still showed up.
When we arrived, my father wrapped me in his arms.
“My baby.”
“I’m not a little princess anymore,”I teased weakly.
He chuckled.“You are and always will be. Even at seventy.”
When we got to the living room, I froze.
Adrian sat on the sofa, calm and composed, coffee in hand. He looked unreal, too perfect, too distant. My heart skipped painfully.
When he noticed us, he stood.“Natalie,” he said evenly. “You’re home. How are you?”
The way he said my name undid me.
“I’m okay now,” I replied softly.
He turned to my father. “I’m leaving for Korea in two days.”
My chest tightened.
“Alright, son,” Dad said, pride evident in his smile.
Soon after, Adrian left.I excused myself, stepping outside just in time to catch him.
“Adrian,” I called.
He turned.
“I just wanted to thank you,” I said, my heart racing. “For saving me.”
“It’s okay,” he replied, his face unreadable. “I didn’t do it for you. I did it because it was the right thing to do.”
Then he got into his car and drove away.
And just like that, I broke.
That night I was getting ready for bed when there was a knock at my door. I opened the door to see who it was. My dad was standing there waiting for me to ask him to come in.
My dad sat down next to me. He was being gentle. I could tell he was really worried about something.
He looked at me."I know you haven't been happy for a while he said quietly. “Is it about Adrian?”
I froze.
“He loves you,” he added. “Very much.”
“How do you know?” I whispered.
He smiled faintly. “I was once in love with your mother too before she left. I heard everything the night you pushed him away.”
My heart clenched.
“I thought I failed you,” he continued. “I thought Adrian took advantage of you the night he slept with you. But I was wrong.”
He sighed deeply.
“There was a time I almost went bankrupt,” he confessed. “I lost everything… until Adrian helped me rebuild. No one ever noticed.”
I stared at him, stunned.
“He came back for you,” Dad said softly. “Even when he thought you hated him.”
Tears spilled freely now.
My dad hugged me tight.
“I’ve spoken to him already,” He smiled. “Talk to him before he leaves.”
“I will,” I whispered.
“You two are perfect for each other.”
I laughed through tears. “How do you know that?”
“I know love when I see it.”
Minutes later, I grabbed my keys and ran downstairs.
If Adrian was still believing,Then maybe, just maybe…
I was brave enough to believe too.
- Writer
