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A familiar voice disrupts my thoughts, and I twist my head to glance over my shoulder.
My father, joined by Claire and a guard, is walking onto the balcony.
I’m on my feet, my heart leaping, and I burst into tears. A tidal wave of emotions slams into me as I run over to him.
“Dad!” I choke out, unable to believe it’s really him and that he’s here.
I crash against him, wrapping my arms around him as he embraces me. Burying my face in his chest, I can’t stop crying from a mixture of happiness and how much I’ve missed him. It’s been too long since I’ve seen him or heard from him.
“I’m so sorry, my little precious girl,” he murmurs.
Glancing up, I wipe my tears. “What are you doing here? I’ve left so many messages for you.”
The lines at the corners of his mouth deepen, as does his furrowed brow.
“My messages weren’t getting to me. The trip… it took so much longer than I expected. Then I came back this morning and discovered you were gone and what had happened. I never should have let this happen to you. I’ll never forgive myself.” He chokes up and hugs me tighter, as if afraid he’ll lose me again.
When I finally come up for air to him wiping his tears, I draw in a shaky breath.
“It’s not your fault. It’s hers.” The bitterness in my words surprises even me. For years, I swallowed back the anger and sorrow she caused me, all so I didn’t stir trouble, so the pressure didn’t reach my dad as he worked tirelessly to give us a home and food. He’s all I had left after losing mom…
He sighs deeply, the weariness in his gaze deepening. I hate to see him hurting, but he also needs to understand the truth.
“I’ve always tried to be understanding,” I begin. “But my stepmother has never been kind to me.”
He takes my hand and leads me to a wooden bench on the balcony, and I note Claire and the guard have stepped indoors.
“Sapphire, my dear,” he says with a shaky voice. “She’s also had a difficult life. Lost everything, lived on the streets, and the things she endured were horrific. Deep down, she is a kind soul, but she wears her armor too often. Something I’ve told her she needs to change with you. She really is protective of her family.”
My heart’s beating faster, frustration bubbling up inside me.
“So, you’re okay with her selling me off?”
He hesitates, pausing for a long moment.
“She told me what she did and how hard the decision was for her, but given the fear of losing our homes, she did the best thing she could think of. We were all about to become homeless, and she couldn’t reach me. I think her fear of ending up on the streets again triggered something in her to make a dumb decision.”
I try to digest his words, try to find understanding in my heart, but it’s difficult. She’s only ever given me coldness and sometimes outright hostility.
Holding me closer, he says, “Remember when you were little, and we’d go frog hunting together in the creek behind the house?” Before I can answer, he pulls out a small collection of wooden carved frogs from his pocket. “When I saw them at a market, I knew they were meant for you.”
I giggle, remembering all the times I fell into the water, wetting my pants. “I love them and miss those times so much.” Wrapping them in my hand, I press them to my chest. “I’m so happy you’re back.”
He chuckles and kisses my brow. “Me, too. So, how about we go back home for good, then?”
Confusion has me blinking at him. “I have to stay here for a year as per the agreement.”
His finger taps the side of his nose as he always used to do when he had a trick up his sleeve.
“Well, during my trip, I landed a massive deal. The bonus was so big that I’ve paid off our debt to Kline Enterprises. You, my girl, are no longer bound to this place and not required to work for them. You can come home today.” He adds with a cheeky smile, “Plus, I’ve already set up your room upstairs, and all the storage stuff is now in the basement.”
I can’t help but laugh. “You did that?”
He nods, a pained expression flaring over his face. “I’ve been so caught up in making sure we keep our home and putting food on the table, I realize I’ve been neglecting you, and I should have been there for you.”
“You have no idea how long I’ve waited for you to say that.” Tears well up in my eyes, and my throat thickens. I hug him, warmth embracing me.
He stands, offering me his hand. “Come on, let’s head home.”
