Page 11 of The Merciless Don's Bride

“Daddy, you’re never going to believe this,” I say excitedly, practically bouncing on the sole of my feet. “I got in! I got into freaking Harvard!”

He immediately releases a breath, his eyes growing softer.

“Of course you got in, sweetheart. I never doubted you for a second,” he states.

He gives me a quick hug and a kiss on the cheek before settling down on the couch. I settle down beside him, letting him wrap his arms around me as we both stare at the acceptance letter in front of us.

“So you’re really going to Harvard, huh?” my dad asks after a minute.

“Yeah obviously,” I say laughing.

“But you do still remember the NYU acceptance email you got earlier this week, right?” he asks lightly.

I snort, “Dad, there’s no way I’m going to NYU. You can kill that dream.”

“I just wish you wouldn’t go so far away, sweetie,” he says.

“Boston isn’t that far away. I’ll be fine. You already agreed to let me go, dad. You can’t take that back.”

He adjusts the glasses perched against his nose, his eyes warm, “And I’m not trying to. I’m just worried. My little girl’s never lived away from me before.”

“Kids grow up and then they find their own path in life. They go to college, meet cute boys and have lots of fun.”

His eyes narrow, “They also focus on their education. And you’re not allowed to date, Cassandra.”

“Right. I would never,” I say dryly. “But the point is I’m going to be fine. You know I will be.”

“I know. You’re all grown up, sweetheart. Strong, resilient.”

“I’m a Solis. And I take after my daddy. I could never be anything but strong.”

He nods in agreement before looking away. His eyes get a sort of faraway look, like he’s thinking of something grim. I laugh.

“Dad, if you’re this worried about me going to college, how are you going to act when you have to give me away on my wedding day?”

His hand tightens around me at that, “Who says I’m going to give you away? No man will ever be good enough for my princess.”

I smile. “Someone will have to be good enough for me eventually.”

“Not going to happen, Cassie. I’ll protect you. Always,” he states, his eyes fierce.

My father has always made me feel safe and protected. I know as long as I have him. I’ll be okay. Always.

***

Present Day

Death is a strange concept. It’s incredible how a person can be here one minute and then gone the next. And then you have to contend with the fact that you’ll never get to see them again, talk to them, feel them.

I wish I could say that this all feels strange. But I’m no stranger to death. I’ve already had to bury one parent. And now I have to bury the other one. Which is, honestly, beyond cruel.

I wish I could say that I’m angry, frustrated, or sad. I felt grief in the hours after I learned about my father’s death. And right now, I feel nothing.

The church is packed. People are crammed into pews ad aisles, all of them cloaked in black, the air thick with the scent of lilies and polished wood. I’m seated at the front, my uncle on one side, my best friends on the other. There’s a crumpled tissue in my hand, but my eyes are dry.

I just feel numb.

The priest’s voice drifts over me, low and steady, talking about life and death and heaven and peace. I hear the words, but they don’t stick. They slide past me, meaningless and heavy.

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