HUGH. I look across at her. My head is bursting with incessant throbbing. I have drunk far too much, but even then; it was not enough to drown out the suffering within my mind.
The turmoil of the past and present mix into one bubbling stew that is ready to explode. What exactly did I do for the world and the Goddess if she is up there to work against me time and time again? “Dad…”
She brings me from my train of thought, and I suck in a slow breath as I look at her. She is nothing like her mother. I am truly proud of her.
“There’s far too much to share, Zaia.” “I’m ready to hear it. You have been here for me father, let me be here for you.”
I sigh heavily. Never have I felt so tired of carrying these secrets. “The beginning,” I say as I tug free from her hold and stand up. “The beginning…”
I walk towards the window and stare out at the moon. Do I tell her? There is so much that this might change…
“Zaia… there is no turning back from here. If I tell you the truth, then-”
“I’m ready for it,” I say quietly. Am I wrong to tell her? But if something happens to me… she should know the reality.
“Very well then, I swear that everything I say is nothing but the truth. But I want you to remember that regardless of what I tell you, it should not affect the way you see things and… it remains between us.”
“Ok…” She sounds worried and I look up at the moon. It’s glowing brightly, almost soothing
It’s time to share the burden that has been on my mind for years. The mistakes I’ve made, the betrayal I was dealt, the sins I’ve committed… it is all becoming too much.
When I was happy and content with my mother. I didn’t expect things to change overnight, but that’s just how life deals its blows… When you least expect
know this, since I’m certain you would have mentioned it if your mother had told you…
“No, Mom’s never mentioned that.”
still hurt? I nod slowly. “Well… his name was Adam,
(FLASHBACK TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO)
walk through the silent house,
spending the evening with friends? I was away on a business trip and was not set to return until Friday, but after sealing the deal early; I was able
couldn’t wait to spend the evening with her and surprise her, she’ll be happy to see
even 10 pm yet. Where
lounge, spotting the two glasses of
air.
up. I take off my
long flight, but I wanted to get back quickly. I head upstairs to find her. I’m halfway down the hall to our bedroom when I stop outside the guest room, which Adam
he hasn’t found his mate, nor had he taken
the guestroom is open, and I pop my head inside but it’s
as I slowly step closer, fear clawing at me
close to my room; the moans getting louder and sickening. I recognise that voice. I’ve heard it far too many
what you don’t see, you
have to know. The lamp is on, bathing the master bedroom in a warm glow, and the door stands slightly
I will never forget. Melanie is on all fours on our bed as
him to fuck her harder like ‘last time’. I turn away as my entire world crashes down around
Silently I make my way back downstairs, I grab my jacket
(END OF FLASHBACK)
her the details, telling her I saw her mother cheat on me with my brother. I was always the one doing the workload…
tell them I knew… and so I didn’t. I kept it in. I went through grief, regret, pain, betrayal… alone… As Melani pretended to love me, each day that
hand on
She’s my daughter… regardless…
mine… and so with the help of a doctor,
whispers, sounding
say quietly. Her heart is thumping, and I grip the window ledge. “Knowing I was the father, I decided
to her, guilt filling me. I’m causing her additional stress.
apologise for something you had no hand in.” I say quietly, touching her cheek. She looks down, and she reminds me of the child that was
now?” she asks, her eyes glittering with tears. “Adam.” I sigh
to me. That this pregnancy would bring us closer. I made sure to give her attention and love. Yet… they didn’t stop their relationship. I kept an eye on them, and it
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