Isabella’s hand on his stopped him from speaking further. She knew how hard this must be for him as he was trying so hard not to Hurt Travis because of her. But she was done hiding. The man seated in front of him was not her father… Not anymore. He was different. Full of hate and showed no remorse for the wrong he had done. Looking at him now, she knew that she didn’t want to be involved with him in any way. Their relationship was over, and there was need to try to bring it back. She just had to accept that fact. Besides she was sure that he would never see her the same way as soon as he found out that she was a vampire. And she was going to tell him… All consequences he damned. This was who she was now and she was tired of hiding.
“It’s okay, Samson” she said softly. “This ends now. You were right. I shouldn’t have agreed to this. We shouldn’t have come here. It was silly to think that things could go back to the way it was. Dad, I think it will be best for everyone if we just part ways again. For good this time because…. Those creatures you detest so much, I’m one of them now…. and I don’t just mean having them as friends. I mean that I’m a…”
Samson’s hand on hers stopped her instantly. He glared at her, unable to believe what she was about to say.”What the hell are you doing, Belle?” he asked. “Don’t you dare”
Isabella pulled her hand from his gently. “I don’t care” she replied. “He can go ahead and do what ever he likes. What I know is that I’m tired of this charade. It’s exhausting and all I want is to try to like this life without this unnecessary secrets.”
She turned back to Travis who still sat with a confused look on his face.”I’m one of them, dad” she continued. “That’s how I got healed so fast and so well. I’m a vampire now”
Travis Stevens couldn’t speak. He had thought that his daughter being with a vampire was the worst thing that could happen, but apparently it wasn’t. The thought of her being one of them felt sickening and he suddenly felt an uncontrollable urge to puke. But she was still speaking and he realized he hadn’t heard what she had said next :
“…. So what’s it going to be?” Isabella asked him. “Are you going to hunt me down and get rid of me too because you don’t think I deserve to live? Am I a monster to you too?”
“You are lying” was all Travis could manage to say.
“No I’m not” Isabella replied. “And it sucks that you see vampires as nothing more than evil, blood sucking destructive monsters because you are wrong. But it’s a good thing that I know how you feel about this, so now I know that there is no need to hold on to hope for the both of us. It shouldn’t be a big deal though. I mean, we haven’t had a relationship for years, so I guess we will both be fine. Let’s just leave now Samson”
Travis glared at Samson as they both stood up to leave. “You” he said angrily. “This is all your fault. As if you and your kind haven’t already taken enough from me. I will kill you. That is a promise”
Samson shrugged nonchalantly. “I would love to see you try” was his simple reply.
“What about me, dad?” Isabella asked him. “I’m one of them now. Are you going to end me too?”
Travis couldn’t speak. He had no idea what to say. He couldn’t even think. The thought of harming his own daughter no matter what she was made him feel sick. He felt horrible and as he stared at her, he realized that he had contributed to this. He had let his hate rip her away from him. He didn’t have the opportunity to say anything and maybe that was a good thing, he thought as he watched them both leave. There was nothing left to say.
_____________
“I can’t believe you did that” Samson said to Isabella when they got back home. She was busy taking off her shirt. Looking so calm as if she had not just walked away from her father minutes ago. “I can’t believe you just left like that. Honestly, a part of me was afraid that you would… You know… Choose him or something like that. After all, he is still your father”
Isabella let go of her shirt buttons and stared at him. Then she began to walk slowly towards him. “I did what I had to do” she replied. “There was no need to hold on to something that was clearly broken a long time ago. I hope he stays fine and maybe find happiness again. But for now, I know that he won’t be able to accept me for what I am now. I just had to walk away”
Samson took a deep breath. “I hope that you don’t regret it. I know turning was your decision, but it doesn’t change the fact that I had a lot to do with it. You wouldn’t have turned if you hadn’t met me and if for some reason you finally regret doing it, I would hate myself forever.”
Isabella took his hand in hers and wrapped them around her waist. He held on to her while she lifted her hands to his cheeks, making him look her in the eyes.
“That’s never going to happen” she said softly. “I’m with you and I’m not leaving… Well, unless you want me to. I just did what I did because I’m tired of running around and hiding what I am. I’m going to tell Vivian and about it too. And before you start to tell me how it’s a bad idea, I can always compel them if they take it badly. But I don’t want to keep living wondering what would have happened if I had told them. I miss my friends and I hate what keeping stuff from them has done to out friendship. I know that I’m going to be alright as long as I have you by my side, but they are important to me too and I just have to find the right time and way to tell them about this”