Page 7 of Fame & Chaos

I felt completely alone.

I finally had a dad.

The dad of my dreams.

And now he was being ripped away from me before I’d even had the chance to really know him. At my young age, I didn’t know how to survive that kind of pain.

“I wanna see him,” I cried between broken breaths.

Mum tightened her hold around me as she carried me toward the car. “You can’t, baby. He needs time, and so do y-you.” Her voice cracked. “Uncle Hux is your father, Caleb. He’ll take care of us. I promise.”

Her words sliced straight through me.

I didn’t want Uncle Hux.

I wanted Colt.

“I don’t want Uncle Hux!” I screamed so loudly my throat burned. “I want Colt!”

The sound echoed across the massive front yard, and part of me hoped Colt would come running outside, and that he’d scoop me into his arms and tell me everyone was wrong.

That he was still my dad.

“I know, baby boy,” Mum sobbed as she carried me the rest of the way to the car. “I’m so sorry.”

Sorry? That word meant nothing to me anymore.

“I want my daddy,” I whispered brokenly.

“I know, sweetheart. I know.”

By then, I was too exhausted to fight her anymore. My entire body hurt from crying so hard.

Mum buckled me into the back seat before closing the door gently, and I curled onto my side instantly, pressing my face against the seat while tears soaked the fabric beneath my cheek.

The drive back to London felt endless.

I cried almost the entire way.

Sometimes loudly.

Sometimes silently.

But every few minutes, the same words left my mouth like a prayer I hoped someone would answer. “I want Dad, Mummy.”

Mum never responded.

She just reached one hand behind her seat and rubbed my back while she cried quietly in the front of the car. And somewhere during that long drive home, something inside me hardened toward her.

Because she gave me the one thing I’d wanted my entire life…

Then tore it away just as quickly.

I never forgave her for that.

And truthfully?

I never will.