Fleeing the Nightmarish Father novel Chapter 10

A week had passed without me realizing it. I had dismissed Dariel's words and hadn’t thought about them again.

That day, I finished my work and headed home. I opened the door and was stunned.

Dariel Cannedy was in my house!

My roommate , Sarah stood nearby, constantly signaling me with her eyes.

"You? What are you doing here?" I hissed, tossing my things onto the couch and crossing my arms in front of me, standing face-to-face with him.

His gaze slowly shifted from Sarah to me. As he stood up from the couch, he looked even taller and more handsome in his suit jacket.

The air around him spoke of his wealth and, in this very moment, it also exuded his power.

"Saafia."

My throat tightened, and my heart started to race.

"Sir, is there something you need?" I asked, taking a deep breath to regain my composure.

He suddenly gave a slight bow, extending his other hand toward me, his smile shifting into a dangerous one.

"I came to ask for your hand in marriage. Come with me."

What?

When he impulsively proposed to me, I blinked in confusion.

"What did you say?"

I prayed I had misheard him, but I hadn’t.

"I want to marry you." His voice was deep and alluring, his dark eyes fixed on me.

But in them, I saw flames of anger and a sea of darkness. I wouldn’t be fooled by him.

"Why?" I frowned, crossing my arms again.

We were from completely different worlds. Like two parallel lines that would never meet.

And yet, he wanted to marry "me"—why?

"Can I speak with her alone?" He turned to Sarah.

She looked at me, and I nodded at her, giving her permission. She agreed, "Of course."

"What are you trying to prove with all of this, Mr. Cannedy?" I asked when it was just the two of us.

He leaned in, so close that I could feel our breaths mixing.

He whispered seductively in my ear: "I’ll teach you how to hate them like I do."

I could feel the heat of his breath on my skin, sending a shiver down my spine.

"What’s frustrating to you, Mr. Dariel Cannedy, is that I’m not interested in your proposal. Please leave." I pushed him away and extended my hand, signaling for him to leave my home.

"So you’re not accepting?" He asked, needing confirmation.

"No."

His eyes narrowed in anger. I swallowed hard. In the next few seconds, he glared at me, clearly displeased with my rejection.

"I will see you, Saafia Blooms."

Before turning to leave, he shot me one last meaningful look.

"You will marry me."

The moment the door shut behind him, I let out a huge sigh of relief. I leaned against the wall and realized my palms were sweating, clenched so tightly that they were damp.