Page 185 of Delilah In Discretion

I bit my lip as I nodded slowly.

My mother stood up with my sister and placed a kiss on my head. “I’ll give you two some space.”

I nodded as she left the room, and I kept my eyes on my trembling fingers as he took a seat on the bed beside me. We were silent for a moment, and he soon broke it.

“You know... I remember when you were just a little girl, and you always asked me to help you tie your shoes for dance class,” he muttered.

I smiled as the memory came to my mind.

“And every time you asked, I felt happy to do it because that meant my little girl still needed her dad... even for the little things,” he reminisced, and I looked up at him to see his eyes getting a bit sad. “Then one day... you stopped asking for help, and when I offered, you pushed me away. It hurt… that youdidn’t need me for something. But the next day, you needed me for something new, and the cycle repeated.”

Dad glanced over to look at me before sighing.

“And when I saw you with thatboy, I realized... that you’re not going to need me… for much longer, and that cycle won’t repeat because there will be someone else to help you. And I thought that if I could just get you to see that you didn’t need him, then I would still be the first man you call when you need help, and you’d still be my little girl,” he muttered.

I couldn’t help but throw myself into his embrace as I buried my head in his neck.

He wrapped his arms around me as I shed a few tears and sobbed softly. My father wasn’t one to share his emotions. And today he was wearing his heart on his sleeve. I didn’t know he would forgive me for the way I treated him. I just knew I would never forgive myself.

“I-I’m so sorry, Daddy. I-I s-should’ve never said anything like that to you, and I d-don’t know how you’ll e-ever forgive me,” I cried.

He shushed me softly as he caressed my hair. “It’s my fault, sweetheart... Sometimes I don’t know when to stop pushing, and I shouldn’t have lashed out at you like that.”

I shook my head. “No... you d-did nothing wrong. I’m the one who’s with your enemy’s son, and I knew you were going to be angry,” I whispered.

He gave a small chuckle. “I’d say ‘rival.’ ‘Enemy’ seems a bit childish. Nonetheless, sweetheart, I know you’re sorry, and I know that was just in the moment,” he said, pulling me closer and whispering in my ear, “Because if it weren’t, I would keep you locked in the house until you learn to love me as your father again.”

I hit his shoulder softly.

“Kidding... sort of,” he mumbled.

I let out a smile as I pulled my head from his shoulder. He wiped away my tears with his thumbs, and I sighed. Being held in his embrace again was comforting. I knew he was only trying to protect me. Even if his approach was a bit abrupt and harsh, it was what he felt he needed to do to keep me safe, and I was grateful he cared as much as he did. He was my protector, and he would always be my protector.

And now that Archer was in the picture, I feel conflicted after learning about the prospect of why we’re essentially together. He was groomed to fall in love with me. His father made plans for us to marry almost fifteen years ago. Despite that fact, my heart still raced as I thought about him, and the look in his eyes was still as genuine as it had been before. Still, a looming sense of betrayal began to linger as I didn’t know what to do next.

“Do you think Archer’s really with me just to marry me?” I asked my father.

He rubbed his chin in thought. “I wish he were. Then you’d be able to leave him easily. But no. He loves you. Your mother and I knew he started too many years ago, and I guess I’m the only one who thought he’d eventually stop.” He shrugged, and I smiled.

“You know I love him too, right?” I whispered, and he rolled his eyes.

“Wish you didn’t,” he replied, and I pouted, hitting his shoulder again. He chuckled once again, and I laid my head on his shoulder.

“What are you going to do about Calvin?” I asked, and he sighed.

“He’s not getting into any part of the business so long as I’m still alive. If it took him fifteen years for this kind of plan, then he should’ve thought about you signing a prenup or never marrying Archer in the first place,” he replied.

I wrapped my arms around his neck once again as I hugged him. “I love you, Daddy,” I whispered.

He placed a kiss on my head. “I love you too, sweetheart… Now do me a favor. Kick the fighting couple downstairs out of my house before I do it myself,” he muttered.

I giggled, hearing Kimiko yell about something Sterling did. I pulled away and nodded. “Not a problem.”

Dad looked in deep thought for a moment before grabbing my hand and stopping me from leaving the room.

“Just answer this for me... you haven’t done anything with him yet, have you? I don’t want to have to call your uncle Eugene,” he asked, and I ripped my hand from his hold.

“Bye, Dad! Nice chatting with you!” I yelled as I ran out of the room and bolted down the steps.

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