The Truth
WESTLEY
(Flashback ahead)
I WAS pacing back and forth while Keene’s eyes were following my moves from his bed. He didn’t pry, but apparently, he knew what was bothering me.
The door swung open before my knuckles reached the wooden door. Trace was seemingly so sure that I would show up after he left a note for me at the reception.
He didn’t change a bit other than the mature expression on his face. He was a famous college boy-a quarterback of their football team. Harlow loved attention, and she got what she wanted from Trace.
When he got engaged with Harlow, he was still foolish back then, not that I knew him well because I really didn’t give a crap about him and my step-sister.
“Just tell me why am I here.” I straightened my spine as I entered his room and expelled all my thoughts.
The smell of his perfume hung thickly in the entire room. He was still wearing the same brand he used three years ago, and it just brought a painful memory on my part. I still remembered the same scent over the hotel bed that night.
“You need to see your dad, Harry.” His words directly hit my chest.
“Why? He didn’t care about me. He never was. What does he want from me now? Should I remind you that my father chose to trust them more than his own daughter?” I resented that thought, but I truly missed him regardless of what he did to me.
Trace looked down and sat on a chair. “He was brainwashed.”
I folded my arms over my chest. “Why I’m not even surprised? So, do you think he would believe in me now or listen to what I say? I’m not gonna step into his home while those bitches are still living with him. Not in this lifetime.”
“Then you must see your dad because he threw them out of the house and out of his life weeks ago.”
What he just said caught me off guard. “Why? What happened?”
“Them spending Lyndon’s money is not an issue, but when he figured out what they’ve been doing behind his back is another story. As crazy as it sounds, his wife is sleeping with one of his security team members. He found out that what happened to us was a setup. Since you got your last warning from your father, they used it against you, and it was easier for them to convince Lyndon since you were already branded as the black sheep of the family.”
“Jeez. Thanks for pointing it out.” I grimaced-that was what Dad knew about me. Since he married that bitch and Harlow was the only good girl in his eyes, I faded in the background, and he didn’t give much attention to me anymore.
“Look, Harry, I knew I am the last person you want to talk to right now, but you have to believe me. I ended up our engagement because I was no use to her since I wasn’t able to play anymore.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Don’t be. It’s not that you care, but she’s been fooling me and making me believe that we are meant for each other. If it’s not for your dad, I might still be suffering from the injuries I had from my last game. I owe him big time, and finding you here and telling you all of these was the right thing to do. I hope one day you can still forgive me.”
“I didn’t come here to meet you or my dad, Trace. I came-”
“I know. And Harlow knew about it, too. Trust me, she will do everything to get into you. She even believes that you don’t deserve everything you have.”
My brow perked up. I huffed at the absurdity. “What do I have left, Trace? I have nothing because they took everything I had even my own father!”
“They were there when your dad changed his will. I think he did it on purpose-he wanted to know how would they react. Of course, they’d gone batshit crazy. They said your father was losing his mind, risking everything, and putting his wealth into someone who didn’t exist anymore. He cut everything that ties between him and your step-mom just a day after that. Every asset Lyndon has would be yours once he died.”
I loved Dad, and he was still my father no matter how terrible he was to me. He didn’t deserve to be treated the way they did to him. He was nothing but good especially to Harlow, yet they still treated him like trash. If I was being honest, they got what they deserved.
Not a single night I never thought of him even though he was a horrible person.
“The hell I want what he has.”
“I know, but Harlow knew the time of your arrival and your hotel room. She knew about you and Keene, and your relationship with Clyve Linton. Does he know about you and Keene?”
“How does she even know?”
“Your dad found it out. If Clyve doesn’t know what’s going on between you and Keene, I think it will be better if you will tell him before she will, Harry.”
“I’ve been away for so long, and I left my life because of what they did to me. Why can’t she just leave me alone? They ruined my family and my relationship with Dad. They ruined my life. Isn’t it enough for them? They also have to ruin my relationship?” I promised myself not to cry because of it, but I couldn’t help it, and strangely, the more I talked, the freer I felt.
“He’d been asking someone to look for you. The first PI he hired, apparently was your stepmom’s recommendation. So you might have already an idea of what happened. They let your father believe that you’re probably dead. That was why he cut your fund until recently when everything came to his senses. You have to understand him, Harry. He’d been through a lot-since your mom.”
“Of course.” I chuckled bitterly. “It’s not my problem if he trusted the wrong people.”
“You’re right, and it’s time for you to pay him a little visit. Your father will be at the summer house tomorrow. He would be glad to see you, Harry. Believe me, he missed you so much.”
“Westley, you’re giving me a headache. Can you please stop pacing?” Keene’s irritated tone made me stop.
I looked at him and blurted out, “I need to see my dad.”
He leaned against the headboard with furrowed brows. “Was there something terrible that happened during your date?”
My throat clogged, unable to meet his gaze anymore.
“Oh, come on. I know what’s going on between you and Clyve, and you know that it’s okay with me. We should get divorced, and I will just rewrite my will.”