Page 225 of One Winter Knight
“Hale, I’m sorry you feel that way. I told you, we had to work fast when those job opportunities in London hit. Things slipped through the cracks. Money was tight. We didn’t get what we wanted from the house,” he replied. “Also, it’s good for you to learn to support yourself. Lots of people work, attend university, and handle all of these things on their own.”
“I know, I’m an adult, act like it.” My voice grew bitter. “I would like my money back before I graduate please. I need it for my PhD.”
“Hale, please don’t start things.” He sighed again.
“I’m not starting anything, Dad,” I snapped. “You can’t get on my case about my grades when you stopped parenting me because of something that happened before I was born. Just like you can’t scold me for getting accidentally packed up when the only example I had was you.”
I froze as I said that. That was harsh. But true. And it needed to be said.
The line went quiet. Finally, he spoke. “I don’t want you to make the same mistakes I did.”
“I’m not you, Dad,” I retorted, wishing I had the nerve to hang up on my own father.
“Aren't you? Right now, all I see is me. Someone who knows the responsible thing is to un-bond everyone, but doesn’t have the fortitude to do it, because of the fantasy in their head,” he blurted.
Fucking shit. Did he just say that?
But we knew he almost un-bonded everyone after baby Grace went missing and he found out his girlfriend they kept from himhad died.
“Even soulmates can be bad for you,” he added, in a bare whisper.
“Dad. Are you safe?” My chest constricted. Sure, Dad had Harry, too, but he was a beta. Also, the laws for omegas in England were different.
“I’m fine.” He sighed. “You’re right. I failed you. You, Mercy, and Verity. I should have made sure everyone had what they needed. While Mumsy had a point about you needing to learn to live on your own, we could have gone about it differently. I could have helped with a few things. We got overwhelmed.”
“You failed us and let Mumsy steal from us, and treat us like shit,” I replied.
“I did fail you.” His voice shook. “I thought I was picking and choosing my battles.”
“You chose wrong.” My voice went raw.
Fiona came into the dining room and slid onto my lap. I held her close.
“I’m sorry.” Dad sobbed. “I’m so sorry. I fucked up so badly. But I don’t want you to fuck up, too.”
“I’m not going to fuck up. Especially if you support me. I answered the phone because I wanted your advice, Dad, not your judgement,” I admitted.
“I’m sorry.” He was crying on the line.
Part of me felt sorry for him. But he didn’t have to perpetuate the cycle.
“I just don’t want you to throw all your work away. It’shardbalancing a pack and a PhD. Yes, you have a solid plan, but even the best plans go by the wayside…” he continued.
His words were like a slap.
“Verity is getting her PhD and has a pack.” My voice shook.
“Well, we didn’t approve of that either.” He sighed.
Approve? This wasn’t Tea-Time Era Britain where matings wereapproved and shit.
He added, “Also, Verity is Verity… and you are… you…”
Translation–I couldn’t do it. My throat swelled. Yep, even my own omega dad thought I was a national disaster.
“Just hang up?” Fiona’s eyes had tears in them.
Could I?
