A Trillionaire’s Revenge

As I walk down the hall of my home, I feel nostalgic as I remember all the moments I'd spent in the house, mostly with my father and Aunt Ruth. A few drops of tears fall from my eyes but I compose myself as soon as I get to the front of my father's room. I take a few deep breaths and adjust my hair. I enter the room without knocking.

"Daddy?" I see him laying on the bed, newspaper in hand. He looks up from his paper. Unconsciously, my left hand goes over my mouth as I prevent myself from sobbing. I hug him for a long while. No words are said as he hugs me back.

"I know there's a lot of explaining to do, but first, I just need to know you're fine, dad. Are you?"

"Yes, Natalie, I'm better. Now, you need to tell me where the bloody hell you've been." He states and we both laugh. Bloody hell.

I sigh and rub my temple. I had thought my mother would be decent enough to tell my father all the horrible things she'd done while he was in coma or even give him an acceptable explanation as to why I had gone missing in action. "I need you to be totally understanding and supportive of what I'm about to tell you." I say as I get up from the bed.

I rub my temple again. "I got married." He takes off his glasses. I put my hands forward to prevent him from saying anything, "I did that because I thought it was right, and although I did have regrets, I do not, not anymore. It happened so fast that I couldn't see it coming and there was no way for me to stop it."

"You're just twenty, Natalie!" He exclaim. "We're you pregnant? Your mother consented to this?" He gets up, "Did your mother force you to do it?" He asks, a frown forming on his face.

my decision and I'm an adult, dad. I believe I can make my own decisions, and I

a child—my child. I will always worry about you, your decisions because that's what parents do. I don't approve of

You were in a coma, and I had to do it." I say as I go in for a hug. A tear

believe this. Is that why you couldn't visit? Your mother said you visited severally while I was unconscious." He says, and I'm amazed that she could do something

here now, Dad, and I'm happy. That's all that matters.

****

are gathered at the dining table, ready to have lunch. Luke is understandably quiet and my mother, as usual, has a fake smile plastered on her face. Dad joins us and I stand. "Dad," I say and I notice Luke getting up

is genuine. I shrug it off and face my father as he approaches Luke. He stretches his hand out for a shake and Luke takes it, respectfully. "Mr. Richardson, my pleasure." He says and I feel butterflies. This man was really

and I let out a giggle. "Oh, daddy, please sit." I say as I hold his arm, leading him

Natalie, tell us

"Natalie doesn't like parties, Judith and her

son-in-law is a socialite, a very rich