Chapter 4: A Truth Too Painful
627 Words
Lucia blinked, stunned. She must have misheard him.
Her father?
“No,” she said, taking a step back. “That’s not possible.”
William’s chest tightened at the fear and disbelief in her voice. He had imagined this moment for years—finding his child, bringing her into the life she was meant to have—but he hadn’t expected her to reject him.
“I know this is shocking,” William said gently. “But it’s the truth. Your mother—Susie Clemmings—she was the love of my life.”
Lucia flinched at the name. Her mother. The woman who had promised to come back for her but never did.
She shook her head. “My mother left me with my aunt. She never came back.”
Pain flickered in William’s eyes. “She wanted to. She—” He hesitated, his throat tightening. “She passed away before she could.”
Lucia’s heart stopped.
Passed away?
The air around her felt too heavy to breathe. She had spent her whole life waiting, hoping, believing that one day her mother would return for her. And now, with just a few words, that hope was shattered.
“No,” she whispered, shaking her head violently. “You’re lying.”
William reached for her, but she jerked away.
“This is some kind of joke,” Lucia said, her voice rising. “You don’t know me! I don’t have a father—I never did!”
William felt a sharp pang of guilt. He had left Susie alone. He had never searched for her until it was too late. He had allowed his father to control his decisions, and now, the child he had abandoned was standing before him, broken and afraid.
“I should have been there,” he admitted, his voice thick with regret. “I made mistakes, but I’m here now. And I want to take you away from this life.”
Lucia’s mind spun. This man—this rich, powerful man—wanted to take her away? To what? A fancy house? A life where she didn’t have to sell bread just to survive?
It sounded like a dream. But dreams weren’t real.
Real was Annabelle’s cruelty. Real was her cousins stealing her money. Real was the fact that no one had ever come for her—until now.
“Why now?” Lucia demanded. “Why did it take you fourteen years to find me?”
William’s shoulders sagged. “I didn’t know where you were. I’ve been searching—”
“Not hard enough.”
Silence stretched between them.
William took a slow breath. “Come with me, Lucia. Let me give you the life you deserve.”
Lucia hesitated. The life she deserved? What even was that?
She didn’t know who to trust. But deep inside, a small voice whispered—this could be your chance.
Before she could speak, a shrill voice cut through the air.
“Lucia!”
She spun around, her stomach dropping. Annabelle.
Her aunt stormed toward them, eyes blazing with fury. “What are you doing? Who is this man?”
William straightened. “I’m her father.”
Annabelle froze for half a second before composing herself. “Her father?” She let out a cold, sharp laugh. “That’s impossible.”
“I know who I am,” William said coolly. “And I know exactly what you’ve done to her.”
Annabelle’s eyes darkened. “She’s my responsibility. She belongs to me.”
William stepped forward, his presence commanding. “No. She doesn’t.”
Lucia looked between them, her heart hammering. This was it. The moment everything could change.
But was she brave enough to take it?
—
To Be Continued...
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