Fleeing the Nightmarish Father novel Chapter 73

BEFORE

DARIEL’S POV:-

It was that time when I was extremely single and lonely. Jacey moved in with Sam too and after Mother’s death, I had Jacey’s support only.

When I was left alone, everything in my life felt meaningless. It infuriated me to have no one by my side.

“You are frowning too much.”

Ian smirked at my constant frown, drinking as I was enraged, not pleased with the amount of people around me.

“Who cares? As if anyone would want to talk to me.” I muttered, rolling my eyes off.

“You have created that scary image yourself.”

I was about to heed only to myself but then Jared came, ruining my mood more as I had no intentions of interacting with anyone.

“Good Evening, Sir, thank you so much for inviting us too.”

“It’s to celebrate our success, no? Why wouldn't I invite you, genius?” I taunted, rolling my eyes while taking a sip of my drink.

“Y-Yeah… sorry. Anyways, I came with my date.”

He chuckled nervously as I ignored him, “Whatever.”

Resting my hand in my pocket, walking away so I could wallow in my company because I bet no one here would be interested in talking to me too.

“Sir, look, who is here?” Ian called worriedly, pointing at Jared.

“Hmm- What the-”

My eyes widened in disbelief when I saw the person I last wanted to see in my life, stopping my whole being.

“Wasn’t she working in an insurance company? How the hell did she end up here?” I asked, turning to Ian with distress creeping on my face.

“Who cares? She had moved on in her life. She doesn’t know us anyway.” He sighed.

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“If you say so…”

Exhaling, I rubbed my temples in distress, turning to leave but then her voice reached me, the softness of it froze my steps as my heart skipped a beat unknowingly.

“It looks so fancy, Jared. Are you sure I should be here?”

“Come on, Darling. Our company has surpassed all our competitors. It's our celebration, my celebration and how can I keep you out of it?” He laughed, keeping her close to his chest as my steps were immobilized to the ground when I heard those words I once spoke too with the same enthusiasm.

“Feels weird to be here.”

“Who is she?” I asked Ian hurriedly, not feeling comfortable.

Those glittering eyes, the smile on her lips while clinging onto her boyfriend, each gesture of hers was pricking me. The never ending smile on her face discontented me.

She must be faking that, there was no way she would be this delighted.

“Jared’s girlfriend, I guess. Saafia Blooms.”

Ian trailed off, not thinking deeply nor letting me do it as well yet seeing her again- dropping my emotions in an abysmal distress.

‘Why did fate lead me to see her again? Especially with such grace?’

Seeing her holding Jared reminded me about my Mother, she did the exact same.

“It looks so fancy, Dariel. Are you sure I should be here?”

I laughed, giving her a heartwarming side hug, speaking those exact words.

“Come on, Mama. Our company has surpassed all our competitors. It's our celebration, ‘my’ celebration and how can I keep you out of it?”

And after that, I saw her at every party possible with her damn boyfriend. Each time I saw her, my mood was smeared, her smiles were pinching me. The more I saw her, the more it affected me mentally.

“Oh, she is here too.” I scoffed, turning my head away so I won’t bother my eyes with her presence.

That smile, it had to be a lie, a deception. She was not the same person I once collided with. The shine on the face…

She was the same as my Mother, she was in pain too.

“What about her?”

“Jared sure got a girlfriend out of his league. Too tempting to be with a man like him if you ask me, Ian.” I muttered, judging the couple before me.

“Check the way she is looking at him. She looks devoted.” Ian smirked.

“Pathetic. He would only dump her for an undeserving woman in the end. That man is a loser.” I unintentionally spoke about the future back then.

She truly left this gem for someone like Veronica.

“Is that girl bothering you?” Ian asked worriedly.

I replied honestly with a clenched jaw, slamming my glass down, “Yes.”

My eyes scanned her for a moment, receiving strange fluttering but controlling the overwhelm, I shook my head and walked away.

And after that interaction, I never came near her again until Jared’s wedding.

But, that day I made a bet with myself.

I would see her true side. Was she like my mother or truly soft-hearted?

Whatever it was, I would witness the depth behind that smile.

So I got the first chance available and married her by using all means possible. I bought her whole company so I could convince her. I needed to win that war within myself.

“I know you are a delusional and dreamy woman, probably waiting for a charming prince- drop that dream. That won’t happen. Enter my life.”

My voice went deeper, taking a strand of her hair, leading to her ear, “Let me show you the dark side of this world.”

And I got the perfect chance. Using revenge as an excuse to imprison her with me. ‘That’ was the reason I felt like going after her to convince her to marry me.

“You know what?”

Arching an eyebrow, I looked from my shoulder.

“I am ready.”

“What?” I blinked, turning fully to her with an eerie yet ominous excitement creeping on my features.

“I said I am ready to marry you. I am giving you one year to change my thoughts, to change me.” Finally…

I wanted her at all costs. I wanted to know her more, to notice me too, to save her from this cruel world.

“One year?”

“Not Enough?”

“More than enough.” I smirked devilishly.

Closing our distance, she pressed her index finger over my heart, bewitching my heartbeats at the small touch. Staring dead into my eyes.

I also became serious, holding her collar to incline our faces dangerously closer disliking all the feelings I gained.

Heck, why would I feel ‘anything’ for her? She was nowhere near me.

“Let me make this ‘very’ clear- You can never change me, Dariel Cannedy.” She declared.

…And she was right. I lost this bet. I had accepted my defeat.