141

I stared back at him with wide eyes, feeling flattered and shocked, but I remained silent.
I planned on doing just that. But that day when I was at the hospital, I got a call from my dad. There wasn’t anyone in my room so I answered. I hadn’t talked to him in over a year, so it was surprising. We ended up having a long talk. I told him everything that happened after he left us, just so he knew his daughter was a killer and his son was a criminal because of him. Nathan clenched his fist in anger.
I took his fist in my hand and opened it slowly, before placing my own hand in his. He looked down at me, his eyes softening.
I hadn’t meant to tell him everything, but it all just flew out of my mouth. I told him about you, too. So once I had finished, he was in tears. It took awhile for him to get it together, but when he did, he sounded like the old dad I had. He was concerned and would not stop apologizing. I even considered hanging up at one point because he wouldn’t shut up. But then I asked him why he’d left. He told me everything. My mother had been cheating on my dad, and he had found out. At first, I didn’t believe him, but then pieced together the puzzle and realized it was true. All the times she left the house and came back late, saying she got caught up in work. When she’d discreetly sneak out to talk on the phone. She was cheating on my father, and no one knew it.
When he found out, he was heartbroken and wasn’t thinking. He immediately left her, wanting nothing to do with her and too hurt to consider his kids. He thought he’d come back with divorce papers and try to get custody of us, but was too heartbroken to go through with it. So he moved halfway across the world to Belgium. He had a lot of time to recollect himself and figure things out, and was planning on coming back here, ready to divorce my mother and face us all. That was why he called me. At first I was angry. For having him dump all this on me just as my life was starting to get better. Also at my mother for lying. And for him being so cowardly to abandon his own kids to starve on the streets. But after a lot of yelling, arguing, and understanding, he asked me to come visit him there. After hearing my story with Ryland and you, he was concerned for my safety. He said it would be a good idea to get out of the country for a while, while the case was still open and investigation was still on. I automatically said no, refusing to leave your side and risk putting you in any more danger. But then he convinced me that you’d be in less danger without me. I realized he was right, I would be putting us both in danger while Ryland could still point fingers and the police could find me with you. So I decided to go there. It would be good for the both of us. We’d be safe, I’d get to talk things out with my dad some more, and I’d probably be back in a couple of days. Nathan let out a sigh, looking pained as he relived the story.
Before I could tell him he didn’t have to do this right now, he continued on.
Once I got there, my dad and I sorted most things out. I still couldn’t forgive him for leaving us like that, but at least we were talking and he was making an effort. He even gave me a nice job under his company and I made good money from it. On top of it, he began sending Max, Jordan, and Dustin generous weekly allowances, paying for Hana’s rehabilitation programs as well. But once I decided it was safe to go back home, he tried to get me to stay with him. He said he wanted me to live there with him, even invite Max, Jordan and Dustin too. I refused though, telling him how I wanted to spend my life with you. He wasn’t too happy about it and did just about everything to get me to stay. He even went as far as to buying me a new car. I told him nothing he could do or buy would stop me from going back to you and my family.
That’s when the bastard took my passport and all my cash the night before I was about to leave, hiding it away. I was pissed off and felt betrayed that he’d do that, but he kept telling me it was for the better. I soon realized he was only trying so desperately for me to stay because he was worried about his business and needed an heir to his throne. He told me if I wanted to leave, I’d have to work my way towards it.
So being left with no other choice as I knew involving the authorities could be risky, I spent the next couple of months trying to scrape together as much cash as I could. It took a while, but one night when he was out with some buddies, I snooped around his stuff and found my money and passport in a volt. I packed my bags as fast as I could and got the hell out of there, away from that psycho. And so here I am. Nathan finished with a sigh, looking at me, awaiting my reaction.
I blinked a few times and realized we had stopped in front of the ocean. So you’re saying you were gone for three months because your father convinced you to come to Belgium to protect us both, but instead took all of your money and forced you to work for him for three months ? I asked.
Yeah, basically. He rubbed the back of his neck.
Well that explained why his father was always arguing with him in the background every time I called.
And you didn’t tell me any of this why ? I raised a brow.
Because I didn’t want to worry you. I had almost given you a heart attack when I was shot, I didn’t want to stress you out even more. He admitted honestly.
You did give me a heart attack when you were shot ! I corrected. And you need to stop thinking about me all the time. It doesn’t matter if you’re putting me in danger ; it’s better than being left in the dark. I said with a hint of hurt in my voice, despite my attempt to cover it.
Nathan seemed to notice it too, and wrapped his arms around my waist, looking down at me.
I wanted to. I honestly did and it killed me so much already not being with you for three months. I could only imagine what you were going through. So I didn’t want to dump this on you too. You’d probably be in fear for my safety and your expectation of me coming back would die down. Nathan admitted.
Yeah the truth hurts. But it won’t drive me insane like not knowing did. If you had told me all of this from the start, I wouldn’t have been running through all the worst possibilities and spending countless nights awake, wondering if you were okay. I spoke quietly.
I know. Nathan whispered looking away.
Then why ? I asked quietly. If you knew that then why would you keep the truth from me ? I felt the tears well up in my eyes.
Because I was afraid you’d realize I wasn’t coming back and move on. Nathan blurted out.
I stared at him blankly, before whacking him on the forehead.
Ow ! What the hell woman !? Nathan yelped, looking more shocked than pained. I don’t think he was expecting that.
Nathaniel whateveryourlastnameis. I started off in a threatening tone.
My full name isn’t even Nathaniel. Nathan muttered half heartedly.
When will you realize that I love you more than anything and I am not going to leave you ? Not now, not ever. I continued on, reaching up to grab his shirt. Through thick, and through thin.
His eyes turned serious as he stared back.
What part of ‘I love you’ do you not get ? What do I need to do to prove it ? I asked helplessly.