Page 1 of Delilah In Discretion

Prologue

Twenty years ago, I wasn’t prepared. Twenty years ago, I let you go. You were supposed to be a distant memory, something I’d forget with time.

But you’ve grown up. You’ve flourished into a beautiful woman. You found a better life with your aunt—or, should I now say, your mother. She took you in because I wasn’t ready. I wasn’t prepared for a daughter.

But she was supposed to fail.Youwere supposed to fail. Becauseyouwere a mistake. I’ve lived in your shadow. Waiting for the right time to present myself. And you never thought of me once… though I can’t entirely blame you.

You were meant to be the failure, the mistake, the forgotten… but yet those words seem to fit me more these days.

Twenty years later, I didn’t forget. Twenty years later, I’ve endured the suffering you were meant to face. But now, you will know the man who was meant to be your father, the man you were never meant to see.

Twenty years ago, I wasn’t prepared. Twenty years ago, I let you go.

Twenty years later,I’m not going to make that mistake again.

Chapter one

Delilah

Fifteen Years Ago

“Archer, do you have anything to say for yourself!?”the headmaster bellowed angrily, and I flinched slightly in my seat as he banged on the desk.

Looking over at the two boys discreetly, I noticed Archer sitting emotionless, and the boy who had been grabbed by him and almost choked was sitting with an icepack against his throat. Playing with the edge of my skirt, I listened as Archer spoke.

“I didn’t do anything wrong,” was all he said, and the headmaster looked entirely enraged. He glared over at me, and after a moment, I gulped softly.

“Delilah, what happened? Other students say they witnessed Neil throwing things at you. Is this true?” he asked, and I bit my lip nervously, feeling the boys’ eyes glaring at me.

My hands felt sweaty as one set of eyes wanted me to lie and the other… the other ones dared me to. And I knew better than to make him upset.

Playing with my hands to ease my nerves, I spoke.

“I-It’s true,” I whispered, and the headmaster sighed.

“How long has this behavior been going on?”

I rubbed my arm nervously as I whispered, “Since the first day of school.”

I no longer felt the eyes on me. The headmaster looked over to Neil, who was now avoiding any eye contact. I gave Archer a quick side glance to see him glaring even more at the boy he grabbed by the collar.

Feeling a paper ball hit my head, I quickly picked up the paper ball and discreetly hid it from Kimiko, my best friend. If she saw what was thrown, or who threw it, I knew things would only go downhill.

Feeling another ball hit my head, I sighed in frustration.

Before I had a chance to respond, a loud sound echoed through the room, drawing the attention of the entire class. We all turned to see Archer standing from his chair, his desk pushed onto the ground.

My heart raced as he glared daggers at Neil, who was frozen in his seat.

“Archer—” Ms. Dawn began, but she gasped as Archer roughly grabbed Neil’s collar, violently yanking him out of the chair and pulling him closer.

“Go ahead… Throw another one. I dare you to.”

I didn’t know whether or not to appreciate the gesture or cower away from it altogether.It was just a few rolled-up paper balls. Well, more than a few… but I didn’t want to make a big deal about it.

“Neil, this behavior is not tolerated at Highland Bridge Academy. Bullying of any sort will not go unpunished. Delilahand Archer, you are dismissed. Return to class. Delilah, we will inform your parents of the incident, and Archer, your parents will receive a phone call to discuss your aggressive behavior. Neil, your parents will be called in for a conference regarding the bullying. You’ll stay here for the meantime.”

Nodding slowly, I stood from the chair and walked over to the door. My hands grew clammy as I stepped into the hall. I gulped softly, and the door closed behind me after a moment. Silently, I made my way back to class ashisfootsteps followed mine.

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