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“Yes, Papa Dearest.”
I noticed how hard it was for Roberto to continue, as though he couldn’t get the words out.
“I hurt you because I’m making you stronger. I punish you so that when others try to punish you, you’ll be tough enough to handle it,” he declared, trying to justify his behavior. “However,” he began and lightly pressed his hands onto her shoulders, “no one else is allowed to punish you, Willow.”
She tried to maintain a strong expression, but the tears began to pool in her eyes once more, running down her cheeks within seconds.
“She’ll…kill you…and Viktor…Onyx…and Aurelia,” her voice cracked with every name mentioned, and she lifted her trembling hands to wipe away her tears quickly. “Papa…I’m not strong enough…to fight them back.”
The way I was holding onto adult Willow would leave some sort of bruising, all while the past me clenched his fists to stop from doing something stupid.
From going on a second killing frenzy.
"You’re right,” he admitted with a slight head nod. “Not yet.”
“Not…yet?” she questioned with a sob.
“One day, Willow, everything I’ve done will make sense. The pain I’ve inflicted. The sorrow. The constant judgment of everyone around you. It’ll make so much fucking sense…” He trailed off as he fought not to shed his own set of tears. “It’ll make you realize that deep within my cold heart," he paused just to tap his chest where his heart was, “there’s a tiny bit of warmth with your name on it.”
“What about Viktor?” she had to ask, and Roberto chuckled.
“He got a tiny dot.”
That seemed to make Willow smile slightly.
“Sorry…Papa.”
Roberto shook his head and placed his hands upon her cheeks.
“I’m sorry anyone dared to hurt what I worked so hard to bring into this world,” he whispered. “But no more.”
“No…more…therapy?”
“You’ll go somewhere else.”
“But-”
“Do you trust me, Willow?” he questioned.
She didn’t hesitate to respond. “Yes, Papa Dearest.”
“If anyone dares taint your mind, attempts to kill you again, or mocks you publicly, know deep within your mind, heart, and soul that I, Roberto De Luca, will come to your aid and never let the enemy win,” he vowed like it was truly a promise. “I’d take a bullet for you. Understand?”
“I understand, Papa.”
“Good.” He smiled and pulled her into a hug. “You have to sleep now or else I can’t do what I need to do.”
“Okay…” She didn’t seem concerned as she rested her head against his shoulder and returned the hug with a tight one of her own. “Papa? Viktor?”
I was surprised she mentioned my name, but she had our attention.
“Thank you for killing the bad people.”
Meaning she saw everything.
The past me didn’t show it, but it finally made me realize what Milo had meant.
“If you truly believe that pink wolf of royalty has never caught a glimpse of the old you within her entire life then you’re not as observant as I gave you credit for.”
