Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 88305 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 442(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88305 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 442(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
“Thankfully, I was beginning to learn his ways and I realized I wasn’t safe with him. As soon as I knew I was pregnant with you, I didn’t think twice before I left. Not only Japan and my elderly parents, who couldn’t handle what I became, but also him. You gave me my fresh start, Nao. I regained the strength he’d slowly purged out of me. I stood above his gaslighting and abusive behavior, thanks to you. Keeping you was a no-brainer. After all, you’re the only thing I can call mine.”
The tears don’t stop as I listen to her nostalgic retelling of the old days. I wish I could reach out to her younger self and hug her, but since I can’t, I wrap my arms tighter around her in a silent show of support.
Normal people don’t survive what my mom did. They don’t use it as a strength to climb to the top, despite many odds being against them.
A sense of guilt hooks with my grief and drags me under. If I’d known my father was her nightmare and that he hurt her, I wouldn’t have searched for him. I wouldn’t have hurt her by constantly asking about him.
“Point is, your father is not a good man, Nao, and he’s nowhere near the perfect image you built of him in your head. If you ever loved me, you’ll forget about him and stop searching for him.”
“Do…those men from this morning have something to do with him?”
She hesitates before making an affirmative sound.
“Why were they here?”
“They’re your father’s men.”
“He has men?”
“Lots of them, and those two might have been the most sophisticated of the bunch.”
“Did they come to bother you?”
“To intimidate me so I’ll admit you’re his.”
“He doesn’t know about me?”
“I lied to him and faked a DNA test that shows you’re not his daughter, but he still suspects me, even after all these years. He still wants to get his filthy hands on you, but I will fight until the day I die.”
“Do you hate him so much because he’s dangerous or because he…hurt you?”
“Both.”
“How badly did he hurt you?” My voice breaks with crashing guilt.
“Badly. He didn’t do it physically, but he destroyed my naive heart. Though I guess I should be thankful for that. If it weren’t for his emotional abuse, I wouldn’t have gotten to where I am today. Still, I would never allow him near you. That’s why I moved us all the time and even suggested going to California next. I tried to escape his clutches, but he always found you.”
“But he doesn’t think I’m his daughter.”
“Oh, he does. I don’t know why, but the more I deny it, the more he’s hellbent on having you. Especially these last couple of months.”
“He…he wants to meet me?”
“He already did, Nao-chan. You just don’t remember him.”
32
Sebastian
I search for her everywhere.
Which isn’t a lot of places. She’s usually either in her house, or in the forest.
With me.
I was so sure she’d be at that rock. No idea if it’s my ego trying to play it down or if I really thought I’d find her in our place, waiting for me.
At any rate, that’s not the case.
So I went to her house right after, but her mother told me she wasn’t there.
I tried calling her a thousand times. Then I sent a series of texts.
Where are you? Call me back.
If you haven’t read my earlier text, this is a reminder to call me.
I know you’re hurt and I don’t want you hurt. So let me explain. The situation isn’t what you think.
Ignoring me is not going to solve the issue, Naomi.
If you think giving me the cold shoulder will make me back down, then you’re terribly mistaken. I’m coming for you whether you like it or not.
Where the fuck are you? At least tell me you’re okay.
This is starting to piss me off and you know how crazy I turn when I’m angry. Stop testing me and answer the fucking phone.
If I find you hurt in any way…
Baby. Come on, just let me know you’re all right and I’ll stop bugging you. For now.
This will just keep escalating and you better be ready for the consequences, Tsundere.
She didn’t answer any of my texts, but she did read them at some point, which should mean she’s all right.
Or maybe she’s been kidnapped and whoever took her is reading her messages.
I shove that thought out of my head as I hit the gas until I reach the highest speed possible. I’ve been driving so recklessly all day that I’m surprised I haven’t gotten into an accident.
The day has turned into night, and I’ve already done the tour of the fucking town. Twice.
Maybe she went to another town. Or another state.
Maybe even another country.
She’s crazy enough to do it, but I’m betting on the fact that she wouldn’t just leave her mother behind.