The Girl He Craves

Meredith’s pov

He hauled in a shaky breath, his eyes swimming with sadness. I had hit him with the

past, something that could potentially bring out the man he once was.

’She’s dead.” He whispered, pushing the photo away. “The dead can’t speak.'”

I blinked in sadness, pitying the man he is now today. “But they can still see and hear.

If mom was here, she’d smack you upside your head and then nurse your wounds.”

He clenched his fists, turning away from me completely.” Is this why you came here?

To remind me of why I’m actually doing what I’m doing? Look at me, Meredith.” His

eyes snapped up to mine suddenly and I had to take in a very sharp inhale as

emotions swam through the windows of his soul.

Father was in more pain than I realized.

’I’m a shell of a man because of her. I can love no other, I have a permanent hole in

my heart because of her. Love is selfish Meredith, the pain is unbearable. I tried to

save you from it too,” He looked over my shoulder at Grant.

He continued. “But I was too late. I need to save my grandson before it’s too late.”

I shook my head, reaching out for him. My heart ached for my father. A man who once

believed love was the answer to everything now made love his enemy. It was painful

and tormenting to watch him become this person.

When my fingers touched his hand, he flinched. His eyes swept to mine in shock. I

don’t remember the last time I held my father’s hand or the last time I voluntarily stood

this close to him.

After mom died, our father-daughter relationship was swept up and tom into shreds.

He would come home late from work, smell of booze, and trash the entire place.

I can recall listening to a few bottles shattering on the wall. I can even remember the

that broken glass piercing through my heel one of those

rampage.

in pain, he looked at me dead in the eyes

maid to help me. He didn’t come to

day too.

me stay up alone in my room, crying

only thing that hurt that day, my heart

day I came to terms with the fact that I lost my father the same day

mother.

day, we regarded each other coldly, like we were not

what he asked and

But of course, I met Grant and everything

“You’re wrong dad,’

in a while too. Always regarded him

words.

the way he looked at me before mom passed

beautiful. It’s worth it. Those years you shared

been. Do you regret meeting her?

life with her?’

adam’s apple bob as he swallowed and croaked out. “No. I

when it comes to your mother Meredith.’ He

pain deep within

’If I had to go back I’d do it all over again.” He whispered. “I’d

again. ■

My heart squeezed. I could hear the raw emotions

‘Don’t you think you’re hurting her now that you’re trying to hurt her grandson dad?

a son, a woman who he loves dearly.

think this is a good idea? Why do you want to hurt

his eyes to me. “Don’t you see I’m

over again, but the pain of losing

unbearable. Love

hand, growing angry now that he was trying to

of it is beautiful.

beautiful. Stop hurting Aiden because of what I had

father had tried

and I run away and

thinks that

didn’t realize that it was his

and then he lost his

loneliness and how a dead mind and heart can

someone insane to think any action they

my vision as I cracked. ‘I’m sorry for leaving you the way I did. I’m