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“I want to ask you something…” My eyes dropped down to the table between us, the pain in my chest so unbearable it was hard to make eye contact. I knew Axel’s character, and he wasn’t the kind of man to lie. He was the kindest, most generous man I’d ever met. Despite the end of our marriage, I was lucky I’d ever gotten to be with him. But my father was also a wonderful man, and I couldn’t see him doing the heinous things Axel accusedhim of. It was hard to believe either of them would ever hurt me, but someone had.
“Alright,” my father said, eager for me to continue.
My eyes remained on the table, wanting to believe in my heart that my father was innocent of Axel’s allegations, that he wouldn’t threaten an innocent person, that he wouldn’t shoot someone in the arm just to make a point. I needed to hear him deny all of this, to tell me it was ridiculous even to entertain it for a couple seconds.
“Sweetheart?”
My eyes lifted to meet his. I stared at his hard features, the jawline that cast a shadow under his chin, the stubble that he’d let grow for a couple of days. His eyes were soft when it was just the two of us, but I’d seen their softness harden into the point of a dagger in the company of others.
He couldn’t have done it…he just couldn’t.
His eyes narrowed in impatience.
I knew my father didn’t do it, and if I asked him, that’s what he would say. Axel’s father wasn’t in danger. It was just an elaborate lie.
But what if I was wrong?
What if—what if it was true?
“I was wondering…if you would give me a loan to open my restaurant.” My eyes lifted to meet his, a flush of adrenaline rushing through me and dissipating just as quickly as it started. I swallowed again.
It took him several long seconds to process that request. “That’s what you wanted to discuss?”
“Yes.”
A heavy sigh escaped his nostrils, like he’d been prepared for much worse news. “Did something happen with Axel?”
I swallowed, so paralyzed I wasn’t sure if I could say the words.
He seemed to understand because he gave a slight nod. “I’m sorry, sweetheart.” He said it in a delicate voice, like he meant every word he said, like he was saddened by my heartbreak. “May I ask what happened?”
I crossed my legs then gripped my knee with both hands. I stared at my locked fingers, listening to the fire crackle in the background. “I tried to forget about what happened with Cassandra, but I just couldn’t.” My eyes lifted to see his reaction.
His expression hadn’t changed. It was focused and intense, his eyes serious. Then he gave a slight nod. “Understandable.”
I continued to stare, to pierce his expression with the sharpness of my eyes, to see any indication of a lie. If he was guilty of what Axel said, it didn’t seem like it. Or was he just the best liar in the world, should compete in poker tournaments and clean house? The only things I saw on his handsome face were sorrow and concern and devastation.
He stared at me for a while, his sadness continuing to match mine.
“I moved back to my old apartment a few days ago.”
He continued to stare. “Instead of pursuing a restaurant, how about you return to the family business?”
I used to be so ambitious, but now the suggestion was repulsive. “I never want to return to the family business.”
His disappointment was so heavy it couldn’t be masked. “Sweetheart, I assure you what happened was an unusual occurrence?—”
“I’m too soft for that kind of life.”
His voice deepened. “You are not soft, Scarlett.”
If Axel hadn’t shown up, I would have been raped and killed. The threat was enough to give me nightmares for the rest of my life. “I don’t want it. I’m sorry.”
His eyes dropped for the first time.
I felt bad for disappointing him. I always tried to please him, always tried to make him proud, but this was something I was unwilling to do. No amount of guilt would change my mind.
He looked away, staring at the fire for a while.
