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The night Dante took me from my father's house and locked me in his penthouse.

"A man comes to play chess with me," Dad says. "One of the counselors. He's terrible at it, but he tries. I’ve made friends. Everyone is so lovely here."

I laugh through my tears, and it comes out sounding like a hiccup.

"Dante has come by twice now. He told me you were safe and well. Are you? Tell me the truth."

Dante has been visiting him?

"I'm okay, Dad. I promise. He's..." I press my fingers to my eyes. "He's treating me fine."

"He seems like a serious man."

"That's one word for it."

I lean against the counter and close my eyes.

Dad continues. "I’m getting better, Sunny. I can feel it. I only wish I had done this sooner. Before I…” His voice catches. "Before I lost everything that mattered."

"You didn't lose me, Dad."

"No." He lets out a long breath. " And I count my blessings every day."

We're both quiet for a moment.

"I love you, Dad."

"I love you too, sweetheart. I know I’ve made a mess of things. But I'm going to do better. That's why I'm here. I’m going to make it up to you."

"I know you will."

"You call me again soon, okay."

“Can I come see you?”

He pauses. “I miss you, sweetheart. But I don’t want you to see me here, like this. Just give me a couple of weeks.”

It hurts that I can’t see him. I can hear the shame in his voice, and I wish he knew he didn’t need to be. But I respect what he is asking.

"Then I will call you every day.”

"Promise?"

"Promise."

“I love you, kiddo.”

“I love you too, Dad.”

I hang up, and tears of relief stream down my face.

My father is safe.

And not just safe. He’s getting the help he so desperately needs.

And Dante is the one who ensured that.

Gratitude is a strange thing to feel toward the man who blackmailed you into marriage. But it’s there, adding another layer to a situation that is already a mindfuck.