AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I sink my teeth into my lower lip.My treasure.It’s supposed to be a form of endearment, but from my father’s lips it’s a symbol of oppression. My entire life, he kept me locked up, like treasure in a vault. A lick of anger crests in my chest, but I swallow it.
Answers are what I need.
Though a few things have changed, I’m still at the crux of a monumental decision. I’m still unsure of what the future holds for me—I only know I want to get out of this godforsaken school. My father isn’t my favorite person by any stretch, but he might be able to help.
The conversation between my friends has died down. I beckon to them that I’m ready to leave as well. Our group exits the tattoo shop, and though I’m a few steps behind them, I start to speak to my father in French, just to be safe.
“I was worried you would never call,” I say.
He seamlessly switches to French too. “Things were difficult, Lizou. I almost died.”
“No shit, so did I,” I hiss. “More times than I can count, thanks to you.”
My hand clasps over my mouth the second the words are out of it.
I’ve never spoken to my father like this before, for obvious reasons. He’s beaten me black and blue for less in my life. A headache blooms behind my eyes, cold terror prickling the back of my neck.
He’s not here, he can’t hurt me.
His displeasure is evident, even through the phone. His breathing picks up, and something crashes in the background. I flinch. It’s probably a glass he’s flung. He likes to do that.
“This is why I never let you out of the house. You’re a fucking sponge. It’s been a few months and you’re already acting like an animal.” He takes in a breath so loud it crackles through the speakers. “But it’s nothing that can’t be fixed.” Another breath. “Now that I’ve found you, I won’t let you go so easily again.”
The temperature drops. “Found me?” I say, pushing the implications of his words to the back of my mind. “You sent me here. I was nevermissing.”
“I see your naivety hasn’t changed,” he scoffs. “Why would I send you to one of the most dangerous places in the world toprotectyou?”
My lip trembles. “Because of the Peace Treaty.”
A sharp, mocking laugh echoes through the phone, spearing my thoughts. “And how did that work out?”
No.
He can’t be saying what I think he is.
No, there’s no way.
“What do you mean, papa?”
My heart skips a beat.
“My jet was shot down the same day the estate was attacked. By the time I found you, the hospital you were in was blown up.” I understand what he’s saying but none of it is making sense. “I had hit a dead end for months. It’s like you just completely vanished off the face of the earth until—”
“The news that I had broken the Peace Treaty,” I finish.
My voice is small and my eyes burn, but I refuse to let the tears fall. Not again.
We’ve walked to the other end of the shopping mall now, toward the pavilion lined with luxury stores. Tara and Nya have gotten more curious about my conversation, and even Vance and Ezra give me questioning glances.
I can’t stay on the phone for much longer.
“But Uncle Laurent said—”
“He is not your uncle, mon trésor. It’s been years since we have even spoken,” he hisses. “He and I have a lot tospeakabout now.” I don’t miss the threat in his voice. “I’m certain Laurent thinks I died in the plane crash.”
I blink back the tears.
No, there’s no way this is real.
