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“See what I mean. You keep seeing the good in people, and there’ll be nothing left of you to use up, Babe.”
I swallow the lump in my throat down and clench my teeth together. I won’t cry in front of him. I won’t shed another tear in front of his horrible face, and I won’t let him know he hurt me ever again.
“I can’t get your money. Go to them.” I cross my arms in front of my chest and lean back in my seat, glaring at him.
“You can and you will.” Then Dale feigns a hurt expression. ”I can’t believe you kept my daughter a secret from me for all of these years. Don’t you think I would want to be in her life?”
“No.”
“I think it’s time I look into my legal rights as her biological father. Maybe you should have your rights stripped away so you know how it feels.”
“You wouldn’t. She doesn’t even know who you are.”
He slams his free hand on the table. “And who’s fault is that?”
I jolt in surprise and a tear bursts free.
“P—please. You can’t.”
“I have rights too. I can and I will, unless you find that money we were talking about.”
“But she has hospital bills. You need to know—she has—” I begin choking on my words.
His expression morphs into mocking sadness. “Cancer—I know.” He rolls his eyes.
“But her hospital bills are expensive.”
He laughs at me again before leveling his stare on me.
“You must take me for a complete idiot. You won’t let her die. You’ll continue to cover them and your two new boy toys will gladly help you. I’m not stupid, Willow.” He leans back, sliding his gun into his lap and taking his mug with him, taking one last gulp.
“Here’s what’s going to happen: you are going to get me my money, or I’m going to hire a lawyer and take Annie away from you. At the very least, your mother will get to sit in the courtroom and listen to how unfit you are, screwing two men at once in order to pay for your daughter’s medical bills. I mean, damn, I would have had some fun with you if I’d known how you like it.”
His eyes roam over my chest and I react by slouching my shoulders to try to hide away.
Before I get the chance to ask another question, the door opens and a woman with her son walks in asking if she can get a tea to go before we close.
Dale rises along with me. When I glance over, he’s already hidden his gun. His hand snakes around my arm.
He whispers, his voice slithers around in my head, making my skin crawl. “You have three days and this stays our little secret.”
I make myself busy behind the counter and when I look up to say thank you to my customer, Dale is gone.
Clearing the mugs and my empty plate off the table. I toss everything in the sink and walk back into the front area to close my doors five minutes early.
“Hey.” Alex’s voice startles me and I jump, glancing outside for traces of Dale.
If Alex had gotten here sooner, he would have run into him.
My heart hammers into my chest.
“Hi.” I move behind the counter, placing space between us and pick up a rag to clear the area.
Alex’s smile fades from his eyes as he watches me and takes a slow step toward me.
“I wanted to check in on you. I thought we could discuss some things.”
When I meet his eyes, my heart breaks. I wanted a different life with them. One that would be accepted and free of lies and deception.
