With my curiosity piqued, I got off the bed and made my way to the door. Walking down the hallway, the sound of heels clinking on the floor grew louder, making me even more curious about who had come to visit. Ever since I moved in, we’ve never had visitors, and that thought only fueled my curiosity.
I entered the living room only to find a woman and my father walking from the door. My father’s gentle smile was a stark contrast to the tension that had filled the air moments before.
Seriously? So I am the only downer here who won’t get what she wants. I scoffed and quietly strode towards them.
My eyes remained fixed on the lady, and I couldn’t help but keep my mouth wide open as I saw her intimate with my father. Her lips were pressed against my father’s, and he responded with equal fervor, completely oblivious to my presence.
So he has a girlfriend in Paris, huh?
Way to go, Father; only you deserve happiness.
I felt a mix of disgust and betrayal surging through me. I’ve learned to use sarcasm to cover it all up.
“Father?” I spat, my voice laced with venom.
My father and the woman sprang apart, their faces flushed.
“S-Sarah,” he stammered, taken aback by my arrival. Oh well, I wouldn’t miss this.
The woman’s eyes locked onto mine, a hint of surprise flashing across her face.
“You must be Sarah,” she said, her voice gentle. “I’ve heard so much about you.”
I glared at my father, completely disregarding her pleasantry. “You’re already replacing Mother, aren’t you?” I accused, crossing my arms with a sly grin, and I knew he could guess where I was going with this. “I’m impressed.”
My father’s expression turned defensive. “Sarah, that’s not fair. Your mother and I are…”
“Are over. She is dead?” I finished for him, my voice dripping with disdain. “Well, Xavier’s wife also died.”
The woman’s eyes darted between the both of us, sensing the tension.
“Perhaps I should leave,” she suggested with an awkward chuckle, but my father grabbed her wrist, stopping her.
“Oh, my father is in love,” I sang, spreading my arms apart dramatically. “Congratulations on finding love.”
My father’s face turned beet red with embarrassment. “Sarah, stop it,” he warned.
But I wouldn’t stop.
“I’m just happy for you, Father,” I continued, my voice dripping with sarcasm. “Finding love again after Mother’s passing. It’s beautiful.”
The woman stepped back, discomfort etched on her face. “I think it’s best I leave so you two can settle this,” she repeated, but my father’s grip on her wrist tightened.
“No, stay,” he said, his voice firm. “Sarah needs to understand.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Understand what? That you’ve moved on? I get it,” I chuckled, despite the pain in my voice. “Xavier was also trying to move on.”
My father’s expression softened.
“Sarah, I know where you’re getting at, but…”
“He is too old for me,” I cut in, finishing his statement, my voice rising.
“You’re the one who’s replaced Mother with… with…” I gestured to the woman, “… this woman.”
Her eyes flashed with anger.
“I think I’ve had enough,” she said. “You should show some respect.”
My father’s grip on her wrist loosened.
“Stay, please,” he pleaded.
But she shook her head. “I’ll call you later,” she said, and with that, she turned and walked away.
My father’s shoulders sagged, his eyes filled with frustration. The room went silent, thick and oppressive, and I stood patiently waiting for him to speak first.
“Sarah, what is wrong with you?” he finally said, his voice low but laced with anger.
“Nothing, Father. I think I should be the one asking you that,” I spat, crossing my arms like an imprudent child.
My father’s eyes narrowed as he stared at me in disbelief. He must be wondering where I got the audacity from.
“Sarah, I understand you’re upset, but you have no right to judge me,” he countered.
My shoulders rose in a careless shrug. “I’m simply stating facts. You’ve moved on. Quickly.”
My father sighed. “Sarah, your mother passed away, and I’m moving on after all these years.”
“Whoa, it seems you’re the one judging yourself,” I snorted to spike him, without meeting his gaze. I didn’t want to see the ‘I know what’s best for you’ expression on his face. It’s annoying.
“Sarah,” he began, but I cut him off, gesturing towards the couch.
“Father, since you’ve begun to judge yourself, why don’t we take a seat and discuss your stellar track record of making decisions for me?” I finished, my voice dripping with sarcasm.
My father’s eyes flashed with anger, but he composed himself.
“Sarah, we’ll sit down and talk about this civilly.”
I shrugged, dropping onto the couch. “My pleasure, Father.”
He sat beside me, his eyes locked onto mine.
“Sarah, I know you’re hurting…”
“Tell me about it,” I chuckled, casually waving dismissively, my voice tinged with sarcasm. “I can feel my heart breaking right now, thinking about how quickly you’ve replaced Mother.”
My father’s expression turned sympathetic. “Sarah, that’s not fair. I’m trying to move on.”
I raised an eyebrow. I think he’s smart, but he seems easy to manipulate.
“Move on?” I repeated, my voice incredulously. “You’re racing ahead.”
My father sighed, rubbing his temples, but I continued, refusing to back down from my to-do list this week: frustrate him until he cracks.
He sighed again, his eyes now locked on me. “Sarah, are you trying to refer this situation to-”
“Xavier. Yes,” I interrupted him, my sly smile disappearing, replaced by a determined gaze. “You’re trying to move on, and Xavier was also trying to move on with me,” I added, my voice taking on a softer tone.
My father’s expression turned stern. “Sarah, Xavier is not good for you. He’s too old for you. You deserve someone your own age.”
I laughed, a hint of bitterness. “You’re one to talk, Father. You replaced Mother in record time.”
My father’s face reddened. “That’s not fair, Sarah. I’m trying to start anew. And I know Xavier deserves that too, but not with you… my daughter.”
I leaned forward, my eyes locked onto his. “So what’s the difference if he starts anew with someone else or me?”
My father’s expression softened, and he let out a frustrated sigh. “Sarah, I thought you were better than this.”
I shook my head without letting him finish. “You know, Father, I made up my mind not to cry about what you did to me,” I said with a bitter chuckle. “There are more fun ways to pour out my pain.”
My father remained silent, his eyes fixed on me. And for a moment, another silence took over-one that gave him enough time to reflect on himself. Finally, he spoke up, standing up from the couch. “So you’re taking it out on me.”
Yeah, he caught on really quickly. Took him long enough to figure that out. But I wouldn’t back down.
“You’re being insensitive, Father,” I shot back and also stood up.
“Sarah, let’s take a break. We’ll talk later when you’re calmer,” he replied with finality, and my heart sank. For a moment, I thought he’d finally understood. I thought I had managed to pierce his heart, but I guess I was wrong for trying to reason with him.
“Fine, then we’ll do this the hard way. This conversation isn’t over.”
I spat and stormed into my room, slamming the door behind me. My heart raced with anger and frustration.
How could he? How could he move on so quickly and refuse to let Xavier move on too?
I flopped onto my bed, grabbing my phone. I had stopped myself for the last two days from calling him, but now I needed to hear his voice.
I scrolled through my contacts, searching for his name. My eyes scanned every contact, every letter, every number. But it wasn’t there.
“What the hell!” I exclaimed, my voice echoing off the walls of my room.
I scrolled back through, thinking maybe I missed it. Maybe it was hidden. Maybe I dreamed up our entire conversation.
But no.
Xavier’s number was gone.
“Damn you, Father!” I shouted, slamming my fist on the bed.
How dare he? How dare he try to erase Xavier from my life?
I felt a surge of anger, a wave of desperation. My heart was racing; my mind was spinning.
“What have you done?” I whispered, staring at my phone. The screen seemed to mock me. Empty. Cold. Unhelpful.
I tossed my phone aside, and it landed with a soft thud on the bed.
I collapsed beside it, feeling defeated and still trying to come to terms with what my father had done.
He had deleted Xavier’s number without my knowledge. Without my permission.
My anger boiled over. I was trapped in this house. I didn’t even have a useful window in my room it was a penthouse that was inescapable.
I tossed my body over to the side of the bed, but then suddenly, my head started spinning. I sat up and felt a wave of nausea wash over me.
Even while sitting up, my body felt heavy. My eyelids drooped. Everything was becoming blurry…