Fleeing the Nightmarish Father novel Chapter 35

I stood in the room, wondering whether I should go and greet his sister or not. But then again, I had no grudge against her. I was not like him to take someone’s rage on someone else.

Why should I hurt her for her brother’s actions?

Taking a deep breath, I washed my face. My hands were still shaking from the confrontation. He had terrified me today.

“Calm down, Saafia.”

Instructing myself, I took a deep breath, regaining my posture, applied a little makeup and walked out.

I didn’t want to ruin my first meeting with her. As I walked out, I heard her chirpy tone echoing in the hall.

“Why didn’t you wait for me? Why were you in such a hurry to marry?!” He was dying to take revenge.

A smile came to my lips. I had talked to Jacey on call and she sounded sweet. I hope she’d be like that in reality too.

“Ah, but it was so beautiful. Where is she? I want to see her.” She beamed. I almost chuckled to watch the woman of my age, almost jumping in enthusiasm.

She looked like her mother. A graceful lady. Both siblings look like their mother. Beautiful gray eyes and long black hair.

“Jacey, she is in the room.” He sighed, holding his unbothered expression as usual.

He was holding her in a side hug but no smile at all. While she was delighted, holding her brother’s hands.

“I will go and see her- Ah! There is my sister-in-law!”

The second Jacey saw me, she left her Brother instantly and ran to me, giving me a side hug. Her radiant grin shining on her face. I smiled faintly, hugging her back.

“I am so glad to meet you, Saafia! You are prettier in real life, pictures failed to capture your beauty, girl.” She smirked playfully.

“Uh.. Hello.” I chuckled nervously, pulling away slightly from her. Tugging her hair behind her ear, she smiled sweetly.

“Oh, right, hello, hello. You know, I talk a lot…” She chuckled faintly, glancing at her brother and back at me.

“Happy to meet you finally.” She whispered sincerely, holding my hand firmly.

Her presence made me feel protected and good. Which I hadn’t felt in this place since the moment I came.

“Me too. I am so happy that my brother had you. And to be honest, I didn’t like Veronica in the first place. You look perfect with Dariel.” She whispered, cracking a joke but it made both of us gasp in disbelief.

“What?!” We whisper-yelled.

The fact someone said we look ‘perfect’ together was itself a joke. Our jaws dropped, blinking in confusion to fathom from which angle we looked perfect.

As we were looking at each other in astonishment, another blond guy came.

“Aren’t you going to introduce me, sweetheart?” He laughed, entering as well while holding a ladies bag. Jacey walked to him, holding his hand as she turned.

“Ah, how can I not? Dariel, Saafia, he is Sam, my boyfriend. Sam had proposed to me and ‘unlike’ you, I have decided to have my engagement with my only family. You guys…” She grinned.

“Bless you two.” Her brother forced a smile, or it might be a real one but it looked fake as he patted her head, kissing it to give his blessings.

“Congratulations.” I also waved my hand, not knowing what to speak.

“Seems like your Brother and sister-in-law don’t talk much.” Sam laughed, holding his girlfriend as we stood beside each other awkward.

There were two couples in the hall and both of them were entirely different. Look at them and look at us.

“No, it’s nothing like this-”

He was about to make up an excuse but Jacey gasped all of the sudden and turned to her brother.

“Wait a second, I realized it now, it’s a weekday. You were supposed to be at work. You never come home from work, no matter what, Dariel.” She trailed off.

Forming my lips in a thin line, I looked away, holding my elbow. I had no intention of mentioning what happened in the room again.

“Some emergency came. I had to come but we dealt with it. Leave it.” He cleared his throat, replying coldly as usual.

“Wow, Saafia made you come home. What a rare sight.” She chuckled and I was not sure what to consider it.

That he was keeping an eye on me, frightening me whenever he wanted. There was nothing to be happy about.

“I don’t think-”

“Oh, stop it. Take it.” She whined, not listening to me and gave the dress to me nonetheless. Forming my lips in a thin line, I took it and the guys entered.

“Ah, great timing, Dariel. I got this for you two.”

Her face glowed, taking out a handmade painting with our names and date of marriage written on it, framed with glass.

Just how many things she got for us?

Her bags literally had gifts. Nothing else.

We both stopped, turning at each other coldly then at the frame.

“How many times do I tell you to not get stupid things?” He sighed. My jaw dropped, blinking to perceive how he could say this.

“Sorry… I got too excited.”

How heartbroken would she be after knowing this was not the type of marriage she thought it to be.

“What is wrong with you? You’re supposed to say thank you. Can’t you see how beautiful it is?” I scolded him.

Jacey only smiled sadly, averting her gaze as I took the frame. Hugging her, to reassure her but that insensitive man broke her heart and it pissed me off that he was like this with everyone.

"But, it's a waste nonetheless."

He scoffed, rolling his eyes. But I hissed at him.

“Leave him, Jacey. It looks so beautiful. We will hang it right in front so we can see it all the time.” I smiled, patting her back, widening her smile, making her face lighten up instantly.

“Really? Thank you so much.”

He sighed at us and walked out of the room but ignoring him I spent my time with Jacey, having a pleasant moment with her.