Page 34 of Hunted for Halloween

“Christian and I spoke yesterday…” He trails off, masking his worried expression with a smile that doesn't reach his eyes. He stares at the space beside me like he's asking for permission to sit beside me, and I nod my head.

A rush of guilt sweeps through me when I remember the horrible things I said to him at dinner. My chest twists with a burning sensation.

The space beside me dips, an awkward silence filling the room for a moment before he continues.

“I messed things up and took things too far, Angel. For that, I'm deeply sorry. It took speaking to Christian to realize how wrong I was with the way I handled things. You didn't deserve to be treated like that.” He reaches for my hands, squeezing them softly with a smile lingering on his face.

“Dad…”

“Please, just let me get it off my chest, Angel.” He pleads. I swallow, nodding my head and urging him to continue.

“I was mad at your actions, but the truth is, I was just terrified of losing you to him—to anyone. I didn't realize how selfish that was. I was convinced that you'd start forgetting about me, pulling away from me and I didn't want to be alone. You are the only piece of your mom I have left and it just felt like I was losing you.” His voice is shaky, laced with sadness.

I don't blink back the tears stinging the corner of my eyes, I let the warring emotions within me overwhelm me, tears trickling down my face.

“I'm so sorry, Angel. I shouldn't have stood in the way of your happiness. I know better now.” He has barely finished his sentence when I throw myself in his arms, breaking down in tears.

He wraps his arms around me, cocooning me in his embrace. I didn't know how much I missed him until he held me in his arms again. I felt like his little girl all over again and I knew it wasn't a feeling I wanted to trade for anything else.

“I love you so much, Dad. I love you.” I croak. “I'm sorry for hurting you, and for the hurtful things I said. I didn't mean them.” I shake my head, detangling from the hug so that he can see the sincerity brimming in my eyes.

“There's nothing to forgive, Angel.” He smiles, his thumb reaching for my face to wipe my tears. “I'm sure if your mother could see you right now, she'd be proud of you.”

I choke back a sob. “Does that mean you approve of Christian and I?”

“Go get your man.” He grins at me, urging me to go join him outside.

I smile through my tears, hugging him. “I love you so much. No one's ever going to replace you in my heart.” I whisper into his ear, kissing his cheek.

It feels like a weight has been rolled off my chest, my body thrumming with excitement as a wide grin blooms on my face.

Christian has his back turned to me where he's standing in the middle of the hallway with his phone to his ear. As though he senses my presence, he turns around. Those whiskey eyes bore into my body, seared with heat and raw emotions that remind me of the reason I fell for him in the first place.

My legs feel light in the air because I'm striding towards him in no time, crashing against his chest and he lifts me against him like a Porcelain doll.

“I love you.” I murmur softly.

“I'll never get tired of hearing that.” He groans, claiming my lips in a kiss.

I respond with equal fervor because he's the only man to have me wrapped around his fingers and make every part of me ache for him at the same time.

With him, everything falls perfectly into place.

Epilogue

AURORA TWO YEARS LATER

“You need to stop sulking, Dad!” I giggle, kicking my legs in the air and grinning as though he can see me.

“I'm not sulking.” He huffs on the other end of the line, widening my grin.

“Yeah, right.” I snort sarcastically.

“He grabbed you and shipped you off to Santorini. It's unfair. I didn't even get to spend time with you and as always, you chose him over your poor old Dad.” He grumbles with distaste.

Dad's practically in a competition with Christian when it comes to who can spoil me best. Only this time, it's very healthy. After I launched my fashion brand, Celestial, a brand that only designs custom made dresses, the brand skyrocketed in ways I didn't see coming, and it literally takes almost all my time. So, he decided to take me on a trip because according to him, I have been overworking myself.

“He didn't grab me.” A faint blush creeps up my cheeks. “It's just a getaway, Dad. You are being so dramatic.”

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