Page 174 of Delilah In Discretion

I held back a sob as I hit his chest after every word. “Why. Don’t. You. Ever. Listen!”

He grabbed my wrist after the last strike, and I pulled it out of his grasp. Wiping my face again, I pointed to him, my finger touching his chest. I felt like cursing him out, screaming and yelling every profanity in the English language, but I didn’t have it in me… The only person who could make me do such a thing was Eugene.

“You’re sleeping on the couch downstairs... One more mistake, and I want you out for the rest of the week. If you think that boy is going to tear our family apart by being with Delilah, then you’re mistaken… it’s going to be you. You’re lucky I’ve learnedto tolerate your tantrums and temper for as long as we’ve been married.”

I pulled away from him and wordlessly walked out of his office, slamming the door closed in the process.

I went to the living room to see Ivory and Zachary sitting with Blaine. I was assuming Benjamin and Reginald were somewhere with the twins.

“Mom, is Dee okay?” Ivory asked with tears in her eyes as she most likely heard the argument.

I shushed her softly as I sat beside her and pulled her into my embrace. “She’ll be fine, sweetie... it’s going to be okay,” I said softly.

Zachary shook his head in disbelief. “I can’t believe it. Dad and I were just talking to him the other day.”

Blaine spoke as well. “I knew Kiki was going to be upset, but this... this was definitely unexpected.”

I nodded silently as the front door opened. Delilah walked back in with her eyes and face red and flushed from crying. She wiped away her tears and looked over at me.

“I’m going to stay with Kimi for a little while, or with… you know, if that’s okay with you, Mom,” she whispered.

I nodded. “Of course, honey. Take as much time as you need.”

Ivory stood up and engulfed Delilah in a hug. “S-stupid question... but you’ll be back, right?” she asked, trying to control her sadness.

Delilah smiled sadly as she wrapped her arms around her little sister. “Of course, Ivory.”

Ivory nodded, and I watched as the two of them pulled away. Delilah walked to the steps, but stopped in her tracks as Killian leaned against the wall of the foyer silently.

I glared at him as he looked over at me, and he averted his eyes from her, allowing her to walk up the stairs. I soon followed her and watched as she grabbed a few necessities and placed theminto her duffel bag. Benjamin and Reginald stood silently in the room as well, as they each held one of the twins in their arms.

I sat at the edge of the bed as I helped her fold a few things since she didn’t seem to mind that they were a little wrinkled... but I couldn’t blame her. Soon, she’d finished and bid Reginald and Benjamin goodbye for the time being. Giving Trinity to Reginald, Benjamin grabbed her bag, escorting her downstairs as I followed.

She bid her siblings and Blaine goodbye and made her way to the door with Benjamin. She paused momentarily and glanced over as Killian stared at her a few feet away. However, she said nothing as she opened the door and left.

Delilah

“Princess...” Archer muttered as I sat on his couch in silence. It was now dark, and I was still feeling as terrible as I did earlier. It wasn’t fair. Granted, I did go behind his back and date the son of his enemy, but still, I would think he would at least listen to me, hear what I had to say and come to a compromise rather than just scream and dismiss me like he usually did when I disagreed with him.

Coming beside me, Archer wrapped his arms around me, and I sighed.

“Did I overreact?” I whispered.

He was silent for a moment. “It’s hard to say. Killian cares and loves you, but he shelters you a bit… only because that’s the only way he can show his love.”

“Or he just wants to control me because that’s the only way things can go the way he wants them to,” I whispered.

Archer shrugged. “It could be that too... so I don’t think your reaction was uncalled for, but your words were a bit… harsh, if you will,” he whispered, placing a kiss on the top of my head.

I sighed. I know my words were a bit harsh, but a part of me felt as though it needed to happen... otherwise, I would be stuck in the same loop and possibly never be with Archer or have true happiness or freedom.

Suddenly, the door crashed open, and I looked over to see Kimiko with a look of pure sadness in her eyes. Archer crossed his arms as I lay my head on his shoulder. She walked over to me and sat beside me as she hugged me. He gave her the side-eye as she continued to comfort me, and he shook his head.

“I’m wondering how good my security is if you have no trouble barging in. I purposely had them stop all visitors from coming through the elevator, yet here we are with the door hanging off the hinges,” he said, exaggerating.

Kimiko glared at him as she continued to hug me.

Sterling poked his head inside and smiled. “I helped my tiger get in. After getting bested by my new father-in-law in every board game in his home… we thought we should pay the sad and grieving couple a visit,” he said.

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