Page 128 of Take My Kiss
There are a couple machines next to the bed, so I carefully walk to the side. I wasn’t sure how I’d feel when I saw him, but it’s like staring at a stranger.
“Hi, Daddy.” I squeeze his hand, and he faintly returns the gesture.
His eyes fight to open, and they do briefly, before closing again.
“I’m sorry to hear how sick you are, but hopefully, you’re pain-free.”
I don’t know if he can hear me, but I decide to speak anyway. Just because I don’t want my mom to know about my life doesn’t mean I can’t tell him. It’s not like he’ll spill my secrets.
“Not sure if Mom told you, but you have two grandchildren. Sam’s eight. Lily’s three.” I lower my other hand to my stomach. “And possibly another one on the way.
“I’ve met an amazin’ person who loves me and my kids. It’s a bit hard to believe after the horrible relationships I’ve had, but he’s unlike any other man I’ve met. So, you don’t have to worry ’bout me.”
I contemplate my next words, hoping I don’t regret them.
“Samuel’s alive, ya know. He’s doin’ incredible. Married and happy.”
One of his machine’s alarms goes off, his heart rate spikes, and now I know he can hear me.
“You didn’t know, did you?” I confirm. “I just found out myself.”
His grip on me tightens.
“Mom doesn’t know I know, but she will soon.”
I blow out a breath. “She wants me to sign over my trust fund, but I won’t do it. Not after everythin’ she put me through.”
His eyes flutter open again as if it’s taking more energy than he has.
Then his lips move. “Run.”
My heart beats wildly as I wait for him to say more, but he doesn’t.
Before I can decide what to say or do, his nurse enters. “Oh, hello.”
“Hi,” I say meekly, stepping out of her way so she can look at the monitor.
She’s gone a minute later, and I’m left wondering if I heard my dad correctly. It was barely audible, but I’m almost certain of what I heard.
“Amelia.” My mom’s voice comes behind me, causing me to jump out of my skin. “Come with me. I want to show you somethin’.”
I follow her into my old bedroom and it’s eerie how it looks the same as the day she kicked me out.
“In here.” Mom opens the walk-in closet door and motions for me to go inside.
“What’s in here?” I ask hesitantly, crossing the threshold and scanning the bare walls.
“You left me no choice.”
“Huh?”
Before I can face her, something hard hits me in the head.
COLTON
“She’s been in there for over an hour,” Maddox tells me over video chat. “Their appointment is in ten minutes.”
“Did you message her?” I ask.
