I sigh in relief because at least she is talking to me.

I got into a fight with my father. Yes, I left a few minutes ago. Thank you. When do you finish? Do you want me to come to pick you up, angel? xx

Oh, I am sorry, baby. I should be done by one. I have a lift sorted. I will try to be quiet when I get home in case you are sleeping xx

I don’t plan on going to sleep until I know she is home, safe.

Okay, as long as you have a way of getting home. I will still be awake. You should get back to work, sweetheart. See you when you come back xx

Yes, see you soon, babe. Make yourself at home xx

Angel, please try and avoid my table. I will explain when I see you xx

The last thing I want is my dad ambushing her. I wait for her to read it, but she doesn’t. She must be back at work. Shit! My dad better stay away from her. I know for a fact he won’t have mentioned it to anyone because he is ashamed of me and doesn’t want to hurt my mom or Bella. But that won’t stop him from saying something to Alana.

I slip my cell back into my pocket and start my stroll to Alana’s place. It won’t take long. I am still stressed, and I know I need to talk to my dad at some point in future, but it won’t be tonight.

My argument with him has made me realize something, though. I need to end things with Bella ASAP. And I think I am going to do it next weekend. The sooner, the better. All hell might break loose, but it is time. It is the right thing to do.

We are cleaningup the venue. Most of the guests have left since the event finished an hour ago. However, there are some people at the bar having drinks. I should be done soon, hopefully. I am exhausted because tonight has been non-stop. I want nothing more than to go home, see Ezra and sleep. I have no idea what went down with his dad, but whatever it was upset him enough to leave in the middle of the evening. I have been trying to avoid Ezra’s parents and Bella. Thankfully, I only had to go back to their table once.

I have my back to everyone, clearing one of the tables. I feel a presence behind me.

“Excuse me,” an unfamiliar voice says.

I stop what I am doing and slowly turn around. I soon regret it when I see Ezra’s father standing before me. “Can I help you with something, sir?” I ask sweetly.

A serious look crosses his face. “Do you know who I am?”

“No, sorry. Should I?” I have no idea why he is asking me this. I suddenly become nervous.

“Well, considering you are having an affair with my son, I should think so.” The tone in his voice causes me to shudder because he is clearly mad.

I freeze, trying to work out what to say. I can deny it, but he seems to know. What I want to know is how did he find out? I open my mouth to speak, but nothing comes out.

“Don’t try to deny it. My son has already admitted it to me,” he snaps, shaking his head in disgust.

“I-I-I am sorry,” I manage to stammer out.

He takes a couple of steps closer to me. “It is time you end things. He has a girlfriend, but you already know that, don’t you? It doesn’t say much for your character when you willingly sleep with a man who is already with someone else.”

I jump slightly, the sound of his voice scaring me a little. “It isn’t like that,” I defend myself, trying to stand tall and not show him how much he is getting to me.

“What do you want? Money? I can give that to you if it means you will leave my son alone.”

Is he seriously trying to pay me off to stay away from Ezra? “No! I don’t want your damn money. I love Ezra, and he loves me. No amount of money in this world will change that. You have no idea about Ezra and me,” I bark, the anger in me increasing with every second.

“Love? Is that what you tell yourself to make you feel better? My son doesn’t love you. He loves Bella. He is just confused. And no offence, but why would he choose someone like you over Bella? The only way you belong in this world is when you are working.”

He is looking at me like I am nothing! I understand why because I have said the same thing myself multiple times. I don’t belong next to Ezra. I could never fit into his world with him, not in the way Bella does. I fight back my tears because the things he is saying to me hurts, but I don’t want him to see me cry.

“No, he doesn’t. He and Bella are still together to keep you happy, no other reason. You can think what you want, sir, about me and my relationship with Ezra, but quite frankly, I don’t care for your opinion. You know nothing,” I say firmly, pulling myself together and walking away.

The further I get away from him the quicker I walk. I need to get out of sight. I quickly put everything in the kitchen and head for the bathroom. I rush into a stall, locking it behind me and finally let my tears fall.

This wasn’t the way I wanted his family to find out about us. Even when he does break up with Bella and is finally with me, I don’t know how I am going to deal with his family. His father already seems to hate me, and in a way, I can’t blame him. In his eyes, I am ruining his son's perfect relationship with their version of the ideal woman.

I check my cell wondering if I should call Ezra. I see there’s a text from him which he sent a couple of hours ago. The second I read it I wish I had seen it sooner.