Page 29 of Off-Limits Bad Boy Protector

“Oh stop it mother!” I interjected with anger. “Just stop!”

I glared at her, a deep sense of betrayal etched inside of my chest. For the first time in three years, I felt like I was crumbling under the weight of it all. My emotions surged forward and I choked on them.“I’m leaving mother.” I stated, your voice was so cold, it scared me. I turned to leave and clutched at my pants.

“Leo! Please!”

In anger, I shook my hands off and stormed out of the house. I had to go back to California and find my father. My heart crumbled in my chest, confusion gnawing at my insides. Boarding the next flight, I leaned against the window and closed my eyes, seeking solace in sleep.

It had been two days of this endless back and forth. My body was tired, but my mind was drained.

Chapter 19

Istood in the visiting room, anxiety gnawing at me. I tapped my feet nervously on the floor. My eyes widened as my father entered through the doors, escorted by prison guards on either side. Emotions surged within me as I noticed how frail and weak, he looked.

I wore a warm smile, and my brown eyes sparkled with excitement. “Leo!” He cried and walked hurriedly towards me. My heart felt like it was going to explode. He walked towards me and grabbed my cheeks. Every single wall of defense I had ever built came crashing down in that moment, tears ran down my cheeks. I grabbed my father’s palm pressed against my face and wept.

“Dad, I’m so sorry. I had no idea. I lost my memory, and I can’t believe, I believed all the lies. The truth is so different. You shouldn’t be…”

“Shhh…” my father muttered, my eyes darting to stare at the prison guard behind us in the tiny visiting room. I swallowed. Even in my father’s bondage and pain, I was still trying to protect my mother. That was insane. It was sheer insanity.

“It’s not your fault,” my father started, my eyes filled with tears. My father’s voice was weak and frail. “I wanted to protect you and your mother. It was the only choice. I’d rather give my life than let you both lose yours.”I stared at him as though he was drunk. That was the most outrageous thing I had ever heard. While I believed in love, I didn’t think that it could be this dramatic.

I swallowed hard and reexamined all the feelings I had for him. I knew he loved me, but could his love have compared to the way he loved my mother? I despised myself for even entertaining such doubts.

I grabbed my father’s trembling hands from my cheeks and stared at him in the eye before guiding me to sit down. “Dad, I promise I’m going to do everything, I can make it right and get you out of here,” I whispered.

My dad shook his head, letting out a laugh that was more sad than funny. "Listen, kiddo, it's too late for that now. I'm not doing great, and I don't have a lot of time left. Don't waste your time trying to clean up my messes. Trust me, it's not worth it."

I swallowed. The words of my aunt suddenly penetrated my mind. Aunt Isabella had indeed said his father was dying. How cruel would I be to let my father die in such a place. I scanned the visiting room, hating to see the cobwebs and the peeling walls.

"Father, I can’t let you die here. I can’t allow you to suffer like this. Please let me try and get you out.” Dad’s grip tightened around my palm and held my gaze. I stared at him and sucked my teeth. The poor man looked really frail, and his skin was pale. I could have sworn that his lips also appeared blue if it weren’t for the poor lighting we had in the room. He didn’t even want to imagine the health conditions.

You’re a good man, and I’m glad I raised you. But listen, I made this sacrifice. It was my choice. No one made the sacrifice for me. I let out a breath and held my hand. Too many 'what ifs' flooded my mind at that moment. But, all I could do now was bond more with my father before he died.

“Fine. Fine” he muttered.

“Life goes on Leo, just visit me frequently and I’ll be full.” Leo nodded. “I will. I’ll try to visit you as often as possible. I don’t want to live without you Dad.” He muttered quietly. My father wrapped his hand around my shoulder, and I leaned in, resting my head on his shoulder. I missed my father, and now that I learned he had done nothing wrong, I felt a pain in my chest.

Leo,” my father started, his voice sounding frail and weak. “Forgiveness is powerful. Don’t let anger and resentment consume you. Find it in your heart to forgive your mother and even yourself.”

I nodded even though I knew, it would be the hardest thing to do. I lifted my eyes to see the guard signaling at him. The minute he had been given for the visitation was over. He let out a sigh. This made no sense.

Chapter 20

Istared out the window of the bus. Everyone could say whatever they wanted. But, I was totally sure that something had happened to Leo. It was already Tuesday, and yet he was still nowhere to be found.

Jack claimed to have received a message from Leo, but I wasn't buying it. If Jack was telling the truth, then where was Leo hiding? My eyes snapped open in shock as the bus pulled up to my stop. I jumped out and marched towards the large company, determined to get some answers. I groaned when it dropped onto the large white T-shirt I had chosen to wear that morning. I let out a sigh.

“Arrgh!” I hissed.

Rubbing angrily on the stain, I bit my lower lip, realizing I was only making it worse. I headed towards the large company building. I was feeling more on edge than usual. After all, Leo was supposed to meet me for a date on Saturday, and now he had vanished into thin air.

Lisa believed he had gone because he couldn’t care less but I knew better. I had spent nights awake, my mind spiraling into dark thoughts. Perhaps it was time I called the police.As soon as I stepped into the reception, I froze. There he was, his blue eyes locking with mine as the elevator doors closed. My heart raced. Without thinking, I yelled out his name.

“Leo!” I yelled.

My voice echoed through the hall, drawing everyone's attention as I felt like I was drowning. It was Leo, no doubt, but he looked different. His eyes were swollen, his appearance disheveled. Wearing an unbuttoned black shirt, he seemed frustrated. Leo glanced at me. His blue eyes met mine briefly before he looked away, eyebrows raised in surprise.

I frowned in confusion. Why would he act like that? I was about to rush toward the elevator when I hesitated. My gaze shifted to the reception desk, where Lily's expression spoke volumes. With a sneer, I lifted an eyebrow in question. I took a deep breath. I'll deal with Lily later. Right now, I needed to check on Leo, and he didn't seem okay at all. I rushed to the elevator and pressed the buttons quickly.

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