Page 147 of Delilah In Discretion

I didn’t say anything in response.

As if on cue, Nathan pulled up at the entrance of the alley.

I gave Uncle Eugene one last glance before walking away and entering the car.

I lay my head on the window as I stared blankly outside. I never expected something like this to happen, and I was simply in shock.

I just watched someone get killed.

I just watchedMichaelget killed.

And now, Michael is dead.

My father is dead.

Chapter fifty-one

Delilah

Standing in front of the bathroom mirror, I tried breathing regularly once again.Michael is dead.

Seeing a dead body was probably one of the most horrific things I have ever faced. I obviously was still in some sort of shock or panic because I wanted to cry out of fear and horror, but I couldn’t anymore. Maybe I was numb, or maybe I was just scared. Scared of what would happen to me, my family… Uncle Eugene.

Still, the only people who know are Benjamin and Nathan, as I haven’t told anyone.How could I? I couldn’t go home afterward as I knew my mother and father would force it out of me, so I hid in my room at Kimi’s place. They call me daily, and I have to force myself to act like everything is fine.

Kimi asked me what happened, but I couldn’t speak without wanting to vomit. I couldn’t bring myself to tell her either. Her parents were out of town for the week, and she didn’t question me when I told her I wanted to stay for a little while. Other than trying to get the image of the dead man out of my mind, I’ve tried to busy myself with my online classes for the last few days.

I also haven’t been entirely ignoring Archer, but my one-word text responses are definitely not enough. He knows I’m at Kimi’s house, and even though he’s worried, he’s giving me space.

Deciding that I had sulked enough, I showered and got dressed in a grey long-sleeve shirt and black leggings. I took my hair out of its ponytail and ran my fingers through it slowly as I left the bathroom. Turning off the light, I looked over to my bed to see Archer rubbing his head in distress.I guess he felt like three days was enough.

Hearing the door open, his eyes shot over to me, and he stood up abruptly, making his way over to me. Wrapping his arms around me, he pulled me into him, and I rested my arms around his neck. We stayed silent as we embraced, and Ilovedevery moment of it.

“Princess, are you okay?” he asked, and I sighed. Do people not know the sheer panic and distress that those three words can cause?

I didn’t respond at first, but I needed to let him know what happened. Someone else needed to help me tolerate this burden.

“Michael is dead,” I said softly, and he didn’t say anything. “Uncle Eugene killed him,” I whispered, my arms unconsciously tightening around his neck.

He remained silent as he rubbed patterns on my back softly.

Tears came to my eyes, and he shushed me softly as a sob broke through. I was on a twelve-hour no crying streak, and here he comes, messing it up.

“Uncle Eugene told me Michael had planned to kidnap me and torture me… my own father,” I whispered again.

“...Answer my question, baby,” he muttered.

I looked up at him as I tilted my head. Wiping my tears away with his thumbs softly, he kissed my lips before asking his question again. “Are you okay?”

I took a deep breath as I shrugged. “I’m scared,” I whispered, and he nodded.

“You have every right to be.”

I wiped my tears as he grabbed my hand, and we sat at my window seat.

“It all just happened so fast. One minute we talked, and the next, he was holding me hostage. The look in his eyes changed almost instantly. I wasn’t his daughter… I was his ticket to millions of dollars. He didn’t care what would happen to me. If Uncle Eugene wasn’t there—” I said, choking up at the end.

Archer simply listened as he rubbed the back of my hand, attempting to calm my nerves.

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