Page 66 of Forced Bratva Hostage

With his head bowed, he slowly trudged into the living room, as if every step was a struggle weighed down by his own guilt. As he halted in front of us, he kept his eyes downcast, unable to look at me.

Mary dematerialized as quickly as she'd materialized.

“I'll leave you alone,” Afan said, whispering to me as he kissed my forehead and rose to his feet.

Harrison slightly nodded as my husband walked past him, heading up the stairs.

My jaw clenched, my eyes misting as I balled a fist, struggling not to yell at him for being such a terrible father.

He stepped forward, his head bowed, chin resting on his chest as he took off his hat. “Hi, Wren,” he greeted, finally summoning the courage to look at me, his voice low and weak.

I gritted my teeth, fighting to hold back the tears that welled in my eyes as memories of all the hurt I'd endured came rushing back to the surface.

I wanted to respond to his greeting, but I couldn't find the words, nor could I stop myself from glaring at him. Now would be the perfect time to unleash all that fury I'd bottled up foryears. Now would be a good time to call him names and blame it on the pregnancy.

But sadly, I couldn't. I just stared at him in silence, my aching heart racing with anticipation.

“There's nothing I can say that will justify what I've done to you—how I've treated you,” he said, his face etched with deep lines of regret and eyes red-rimmed from lack of sleep or tears or both. “I just want you to know that I am so, so, so, deeply sorry, Wren.”

I lost the battle with my tears as they came streaming down uncontrollably.

He shed some, as well, shaking his head as he drew closer. “I can't sleep. I can't eat…. This guilt…it's been eating me up for months, Wren,” he confessed, stuttering.

His eyes were sunken with dark circles underneath, like he'd been haunted by his mistakes.

“I know I've come to you a thousand times with promises of changing, only to get what I want and then ghost you again,” he continued, wiping his tears. “And you might hate me for that, but the truth is, Wren…I mean it this time. I'm not the same man I used to be.”

His words dripped with regret, and in his eyes, I could see nothing but complete remorse. Something had changed in him. He seemed broken, but underneath that, I saw a man who'd found purpose.

“Why should I believe you, Dad?” I questioned, my voice barely audible. “You've hurt me time and time again. You abandoned me with a man who'dkidnappedme.” I emphasized the last statement so he'd understand the gravity of what he'd done.

“I know…I know, and I am not proud of that,” he said, his tone tinged with embarrassment and shame.

“What if Afan didn't fall in love with me? What if I got shipped away in a container and sold as a sex slave?” My voice cracked as if each word was a struggle to articulate.

My eyes welled with tears, a shimmering pool of sorrow that wouldn't stop flowing as I stared at him, seeking understanding and validation.

“I think about that every day, Wren, and that's the reason I finally came to my senses.” He blinked back his tears. “I've wronged you in more ways than one, and I wouldn't blame you if you hate me now.”

I let out a sharp exhale, my heart pounding in my chest as these emotions threatened to consume me. “Did my husband put you up to this?” I questioned, hoping that he wasn't only saying this because Afanasy had threatened him in some way.

“No,” came his swift response. “He didn't.” Dad paused for a moment. “Matter of fact, I called him to apologize because I was too afraid to come to you directly.” He scoffed, his voice tinged with amusement. “Funny how I now fear my own daughter more than a ruthless mafia boss.”

For some reason, that cracked me up, and an abrupt chuckle erupted from within me, a window for his genuine remorse to melt my heart.

“All I ask, Wren, is that you find it in your heart to forgive me,” he said, pleading with his eyes.

This entire time, he had both hands at his back, like there was something he was holding.

“Please, I know I don't deserve it, but I'm begging for your forgiveness,” he added, wiping his face with one hand, the other still behind him. “I'm so sorry, Wren.”

This time, he meant every word he said; I could see the genuineness in his eyes, and it took everything in me to let go of all that pain. Of course, I would still harbor some deep down in my heart—years of anguish couldn't be blotted out by a fewminutes of sincere apologies. It would take some time for me to completely let go, but for now, I was willing to try.

I shut my eyes, inhaling through my nose and exhaling slowly through my mouth. This gesture released a handful of my pain and hurt, making me feel a bit lighter.

“Despite all I've had to suffer from you…I choose, on this day, to forgive you…Dad.” My voice cracked on the last word, a small, sad smile playing on my lips.

His eyes widened with gladness. “Thank you,” he whispered, wiping his tears. “You won't regret it, I promise.” Dad stepped forward and revealed a bouquet of fresh red roses. “Here. Consider this a peace offering.” He smiled, handing it to me. “I hand-picked them myself.”

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