Page 144 of Redeeming the Villain

Opening speech.

Video dedication.

Silent auction.

After two hours of quietly sitting and waiting, it’s nearly time for me to get up and lure my dad out. We didn’t want to disrupt the event as much as possible. Tonight isn’t about my dad.

I’ve run the conversation through my head a thousand times over, but I’m still not completely sure what I’m going to say when the time comes.

He’s been fuming at my side this entire night—waiting for a moment to reprimand me, I’m sure. And now’s his chance.

Leaning over to Malik, I murmur, “I’m going. I love you.”

He kisses my temple and whispers in my ear, “I love you, baby.”

I don’t know if I could do this without him here tonight to support me. It certainly would have been ten times harder.

Turning to my father, I lean toward him and excuse myself. “I’ll be right back. Going to use the restroom.”

When he whips his head my way, the rage in his eyes is still as hot as ever. Although maybe it’s been there all along, and I just haven’t fully noticed until now.

He doesn’t say a word, and I push my chair back, heading out of the back of the room toward the hallway.

Pushing through the door, I stroll down the well-lit hall toward the restrooms, away from the gala. Farther than needed, but out of the way so as not to be inconvenient to anyone else when my dad inevitably follows me and raises his voice.

My father is predictable as always when it comes to his anger. His familiar gait sounds behind me on the marble, the heels of his dress shoes clacking against the ground.

His voice is sharp, stopping me dead in my tracks. “Alora.”

Spinning on my heel, I watch him speed-walk over to me, no mask hiding the disappointment on his face.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”

Scoffing, I cross my arms. “God forbid I wear a dress that I like.”

He points his finger at me, lowering his voice as a few people turn into the hallway we’re in. “You and I both know that your slutty dress is not what I’m talking about.” With his hands on his hips, he squints at me. “Why are you so intent on defying me at every turn since you’ve been at HEAU?”

Something in my mind disconnects, and I stare at him as if he’s a stranger—because who he is now is someone I don’t recognize.

“What happened to you, Dad?” My voice cracks.

Taken aback, he scoffs. “What are you talking about?”

Standing up taller, I open my mouth and speak freely. “I mean, what happened to the man who used to tell me stories and tuck me into bed? Who taught me how to first play piano and ride my bike. What happened to the man who was empathetic and warm?” I pause, my gaze bouncing between his eyes. “Mom wouldn’t like who you’ve become.”

His face melts for a split second, revealing the dad I once knew, but then he’s gone, the shell hardening back up.

My cheek stings like a hot iron scraped across it, and I gasp as realization dawns on me.

“D-did you just slap me?”

His mouth is open, shock stretching his features. “I’m sorry, Alora. That was out of hand.”

He reaches forward, but I step back, and he winces at my withdrawal before standing taller.

My breathing quickens, and my eyes burn. “What do you have against Malik? I really like him.”

“Alora, you can’t believe a word that he says. He’s a manipulator and a liar.”

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