Page 146 of Redeeming the Villain

“Why, Dad? Why would you do that? He was just a kid!” My voice breaks, and he winces, his eyes slamming closed.

“So were you,” he whimpers, tears falling from his lashes.

My throat burns as he opens up, his voice passionate and raw. “Youwere a kid. Your mom was gone. It was just us. I couldn’t let that night change everything I had worked so hard to create for you.” He drags his hand down his tear-soaked face. “I came from nothing, Little Rose—nothing. And I couldn’t leave you with the same. You deserved better, and I made damn sure that was exactly what you got.”

Shaking my head in disbelief, I sniffle as he continues, his heart breaking open in front of me as he pours himself out.

“I didn’t send you away because you had gotten diagnosed. I sent you away because I hadn’t wanted you living with a murderer … and that was what I had become. And that was only the beginning of the path I stumbled down.” He quivers. “I couldn’t bear to look at you for a while. To see the innocence in your eyes, the same look that little boy had that night.” His eyes slam shut. “It’s burned into my brain, and no matter how hard I try to scrub it out, it won’t leave.”

Reaching out, he grabs my shoulders and pulls me against him, wrapping me up in his arms and rubbing my back. And for some crazy reason … I let him. Because even though he’s done horrible things, I just want a hug from my dad.

He speaks softly in my ear, emptying the can of worms. “I didn’t want to be away from you ever, Little Rose. I wanted to be by your side for everything. But after that night, the plan changed.” He pauses and sobs, cradling the back of my head with his hand. “I got caught up in it, in the people I surrounded myself with. There are so …somany things I wish I could undo.” He kisses my hair, his voice thick with emotion. “But it’s too late.”

Something inside of me breaks when I hear the truth of my past. Answers to all the questions I piled up over the years, always wondering what I did to make him not want me anymore.

“Alora …” He sobs. ”I’m sorry. I love you so much, baby girl. I only held you at arm’s length to keep you away from the things I did.”

When he squeezes me tighter than ever, I hug him back, clinging to the last honest moment we may ever share. Tears stain his suit, mixing with my makeup, as I fall apart in his arms and him in mine.

“Dad.”

Rubbing my back, he nods his head in the crook of my neck. “It’s okay, baby. It’s okay. I alreadyknow.”

I melt into him, feeling the world start to crumble around me. Brick by brick, the castle walls he surrounded us with start to fall, crashing and disintegrating at our feet.

“It’s okay, Alora. I understand why you did it,” he consoles me as I shout and cry harder than ever into his shoulder.

The door opens behind us, but I can’t move. I can’t step away from him.

How did he know? How did he know? How?

“Daniel Briarwood,” is called out by one of the agents.

“No, no, no, not yet,” I whimper, holding him tighter. “No, please.”

My dad pulls away from me, cupping my cheeks. His face is reddened and streaked with sorrow. He nods slowly, and I shake my head.

“Please don’t go.” My voice is barely audible as it squeaks past my lips. “Please.”

I know he has to. I know he deserves to. But what about me? What do I deserve? To lose him forever? How is it fair?

How is any of this fair?

“It’s okay,” he whispers, resting his forehead against mine. “It’s okay, Alora. You’ll be okay.”

I shake my head as arms encircle my waist from behind, and I recognize the feeling of his chest against my back as he tries to ease me away from my dad.

But I stand strong.

My dad looks up behind me and sobs. “I’m sorry for what I did. Truly.” Looking back down at me, he exhales, his breath choppy, his face wet with snot and tears. “I love you.”

Pushing away from me, he steps back, putting his hands behind him as the agents step forward and cuff him.

Charging forward, Malik holds me in place, no matter how hard I fight.

“Stop, please.”

“I’ve got you,” he whispers, his voice raw in my ear. “I’m sorry.”

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