Love, lies and betrayal

Amelia’s pov Oh my God! Dad! Few years ago The sound of rain against the bedroom window filled the room as 7 year old Amelia Hart sat on the edge of her bed, holding her favorite doll against her chest. She looked toward the door for what felt like the thousandth time. “Mommy?” Her mother stood in the doorway, wiping her hands on a small kitchen towel. “Yes, baby” “When will daddy get home” Her mother smiled “Soon baby, he’d walk in before you know it” “Okay mommy” “Good girl, now go freshen up,dinner will soon be ready” “Okay mommy” Amelia went downstairs for dinner,after she had settled down her father walked in few minutes later “Daddyyy” She ran into his arms for a big hug and he spun her around till she giggled. “You’re getting heavier every day,” he said “Mommy says I’m growing.” “Well your mommy is right baby” Amelia loved watching her parents together. They weren’t perfect, but they were happy, money wasn’t a problem so she always had the best toys and dresses. One afternoon, her father came home earlier than expected Amelia ran towards him. “Daddy!” He bent down and caught her in his arms. “You came home early!” “I did.” “Are you staying?” “Yes baby.” She smiled brightly. Daniel reached into his pocket and pulled out a small silver pocket watch. Amelia’s eyes widened. “What’s that?” “It’s a present, I got it for you” “For me?” “Yes baby” He placed it carefully in her tiny hands. She turned it over admiring the watch in her hands” “Does it work?” Daniel nodded. “Can I open it?” “Yes you can,but be careful” She opened it and listened to the faint ticking of the watch. “It’s beautiful daddy.” “I want you to keep it safe.” “Okay daddy but what am I going to use it for?” “When that time comes you’d know” “Okayy” He took the watch from her hands and gently closed the it. “Just promise me you’ll take care of it.” “I promise.” Daniel kissed her forehead. “I love you.” “I love you too, Daddy.” The next morning, Daniel prepared for work. Amelia followed him around the house, refusing to let him out of her sight. “Daddy, where are you going?” “To work.” “When will you be back” “Tonight princess” “Pinky promise?” She held out her little finger.Daniel smiled and hooked his finger around hers. “Pinky promise.” Amelia walked him to his car, carrying his briefcase in her little hands. Before leaving, he turned around and looked at her for a moment.She waved he goodbye and he waved back at her. She watched him as he drove out then she ran back to her room to play. Amelia expected him to return that evening. She waited but he didn’t return. When the sun began to disappear, she went downstairs and sat in the kitchen with her mum. Her mother was preparing dinner when she went down. “Mom?” “Yes honey?” “When is Daddy coming home?” “Soon,just wait a little longer” Amelia looked outside. “Isn’t he late?’ “A little.” She returned to her toys,An hour passed then two,after a while the food became cold. Her mother looked at the clock in the sitting room then picked up her phone to call him No answer. Amelia watched her mother’s expression as she waited for him to answer. She called again. Still nothing. “Mommy?” Her mother quickly put the phone down. “Yes princess?” “Daddy didn’t pick up the phone?” “He’s just busy,you know daddy works hard for us” “But will he come home?” “Yes baby he will” Her mother said it confidently but she knew deep down that something was wrong,she just didn’t want to worry Amelia. That night, Amelia refused to sleep. She sat on the couch with her blanket wrapped around her shoulders. “Amelia! Time for bed” “I’m waiting for Daddy.” Her mother knelt beside her. “He’ll be home soon.” “I want to see him.” “I know and you will” “Maybe he forgot the way home?” She asked seriously Her mother laughed “He can’t forget the way home baby” Amelia rested her head against her mother’s chest. “Promise he’ll come back?” Her mother closed her eyes. “I promise” her mother answered even though she wasn’t sure they’d see him again. Amelia finally fell asleep.Her mother carried her in her arms and tucked her in bed,sat beside her for a while before giving her a kiss on the head. Daniel eventually didn’t come home,the next morning, Amelia woke up and immediately ran to the living room but her father wasn’t there,she checked the kitchen, her parents room and the pool area but her dad wasn’t there. She looked towards the front door. Still nothing. “Mommy?” Her mother was sitting quietly at the table. Amelia walked towards her. “Where’s Daddy?” Her mother looked at her. “Amelia…daddy didn’t come home last night” “Why? He promised he’d be back home” Her mother opened her arms and she walked into them. “Maybe daddy was very busy” As days passed, more questions filled the house.People called, some came to the house and they spoke in quiet voices. She heard her mother crying when she thought Amelia was asleep. Overtime Amelia began to understand that her dad may not come home. She didn’t know why but all she knew was that he promised. Amelia sat alone by her bedroom window with her silver pocket watch tightly in her hand. Tick. Tick. Tick. She stared at the door. Maybe he would still come. Maybe the next sound would be his key turning in the lock. Maybe he would walk inside,pick her up in his arms and tell her everything is alright. She waited but he didn’t return, and for the first time in her young life, Amelia began to understand that something had changed. Her father was not coming home. She did not know where he was, or why he had stayed away. She did not know that this unanswered question would follow her through childhood and into adulthood. She only knew that the person she trusted most had vanished, leaving behind a frightened girl, a worried mother, and a silver watch that continued ticking in her tiny hands