Page 25 of Falling for You

“Your mother wanted nothing but salt and pepper chicken when she was pregnant with you,” he admits. I smile, not surprised that I take after my mother, but then it disappearsbecause I haven’t heard a peep from said mother. He sighs, “I’m sorry, Penelope. I’m sorry I disowned you. " He shakes his head and looks down before he looks back at me and admits, “I knocked Zane out after you left.”

My mouth hangs open because surely he didn’t?

He continues, “No one hits my daughter, no one. Harry, his reputation means everything to him, and I never witnessed his behavior with your sister. I only saw the bruises, which is why I threatened him. I knew his parents would kick him out of the firm and cut him off, but Zane, he hit you in front of me and I couldn’t stand back and watch that. My family means everything to me despite what you may think.”

I swallow hard, “But that was seven months ago, Dad.”

He nods, “I know. I had to do damage control; they are our partners, sweetheart, and that law firm is our livelihood. While I am so proud of you, of how you refused to let me pay for anything, working hard for yourself, your mother has adapted to this lifestyle as well as your sister, and I didn’t want to let them down. I also had to think of the investment from the Calvins.”

My nose twitches as my eyes tear up. I know he’s admitting he was wrong, but it doesn’t change the pain he put me in because by not letting them down, he let me down.

“They’re out, sweetheart,” he shocks me, “I needed time to get them out. With Harry’s father's help, we got them out of the firm. They no longer have any investment or say, and I-I,” he looks at me, “Can I come in?”

I chew my bottom lip as more twinges tighten in my lower stomach, momentarily catching my attention and I look down and wait.

I’m due in two weeks, but this could be Braxton hick’s contractions.

“Penelope Vine?” a strange voice says loudly, and I look up as my dad looks behind him. I furrow my brows at the deliveryguy but nod, he winces, seeing my stomach before announcing, “You’ve been served,” and passes me an envelope, then leaves like his ass is on fire and my eyes widen in shock.

Dad takes it from me and opens it while I stand still, confused. Who on earth world serve me? Anger fills me as the light bulb clicks, and I mentally curse.

Elena.Dammit.

“This can’t be right,” my dad says, and I look at him and ask, “What do you mean?”

He looks up and passes me what he is holding, I open it, pull out large cards, and look at them.

“Passes?” I question in confusion and look back at my dad.

“I found them this morning on my old secretary’s desk. It seems they were sent out the day your sister requested the charity tickets, Crystal decided to hide them, probably hoping to use them herself. They’re for the Red Lions, with full access for the entire season, including the tunnel. I figured Taylor Evans sent them,” he admits, then frowns, “but I don’t understand why he’d do that then serve you with a restraining order?”

I furrow my brows and look down at the passes before turning behind me, only to see Taylor on the TV talking into a mic.

From his point of view, I guess it doesn’t make sense. I look back at my dad and state, “His agent has blacklisted me everywhere. I’ve been trying to get in touch with Taylor since I last saw you, and she has stood in the way at every turn.”

His nostrils flare, and he opens his mouth to speak but frowns instead when I gasp and bend forward, gripping his arm as pain fills my lower stomach.

“Pen,” Dad questions, panic lacing his voice and I gasp, “I-I think I’m in labor,” as water splashes between my legs, and I’m suddenly glad I wore a maxi dress today.

“Oh, oh crap, okay, right, okay, l-lets uh, let's get you to hospital I-I’ll call your mother,” he stutters and I look at himwith a raised brow despite the pain. He shakes his head at me while placing my hands on the door frame and runs into my apartment for a few minutes.

He comes back out with a bag that was in the bassinet, the car seat, and my coat before shutting the door and more pain hits as I cry out, “Oh god, that hurts!”

Dad winces and helps me put on my coat before picking the bag back up. He then wraps his arm around my waist before helping me to the stairs.

“We need to look at an apartment with an elevator for you, sweetheart, or maybe you should move back home so Mom and I can help you with the baby,” Dad mutters, but I don’t take his words to heart.

I’ve been alone for way too long to take them to heart.

“Ah crap,” I cry out again as more pain fills me, my legs weakening, and I grip Dad’s coat.

“Honey, meet me at General and bring Avery; Penelope’s gone into labor,” my dad says as my tears fall.

He called Mom. He really did call Mom.

“It’s going to be okay,” he mutters to me as he guides me down the stairs, seeing my concern and pain.

“He should be here for this,” I sob. Dad kisses my head before helping me out of the building and towards his black car.

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