Fleeing the Nightmarish Father novel Chapter 80

Failing to bear his presence, I was in the room. Pressing my palm against my chest, no matter what, he was the man I had given my heart.

Leaving him was too difficult for me, especially after his confession.

‘How would I convince this heart of mine?’ Thinking with agony, I took rapid breaths until I recognized his footsteps outside my room.

“Saafia,” His soft resonance called me.

Closing my eyes, the creaking sound of the door being closed reached me. I didn’t dare to turn until his tall form was behind me with a keen gaze.

“Leave, Dariel, please.” I whispered those words so weakly that they faded before they could reach him.

He couldn’t hear and held my shoulders, making me turn to him. Sniffling, I opened my eyes. The time where I was devastated and when my heart blindly devoted itself to him flashed before my eyes.

“Dariel,”

Calling him desperately, I wanted him to clear this confusion inside me and help me get over this state.

Bringing his big hands from my shoulder to my hands, he kissed my knuckles before pressing them over his forehead.

“If punishing me would provide you with solace then punish me but don’t agonize me anymore; don’t purloin yourself from me.”

His broken whisper stabbed my chest. My eyes were unable to see due to fear. Shaking, I tightened my grip on his hand. My mind was in a haze, hindring my path.

“I am so confused right now. I don’t know what I should think or do. It is breaking my heart that someone else told me but not you, Dariel.” I whispered sincerely, sharing my biggest complaint.

“My father won’t come back nor the justice, Dariel. There are so many things inside me and I- I don’t know how to deal with them.” I continued painfully, pulling my hands away and taking a seat.

He curled his hands in a fist to grasp my warmth fading from his fingers but failed to do so and inhaled sharply.

“Do you think I am your sinner?” He questioned in heartache, his tall body hovering over me.

Holding my elbow, I shifted my head in the other direction, nibbling on my bottom lip.

“You… didn’t do this deliberately but… the fact you got away is.. Hurting me.” I vaguely told him, pressing my teeth together as I sniffled to eradicate the tears in my eyes.

“It was so hard for us, we had no one, we paid for his hospital bills, and managed ourselves with difficulty. If- if I had hated anyone in my life that would be the person who turned our life upside down.”

Chuckling dryly, I sat down as my hands began to shake but failed to stay strong. Those days were unbearable but what did he lose?

My Father died, was he going to return?

“And to me it was myself, I hated myself, that if I hadn’t said that ‘I hate you’ This might not…”

That accident was the core which changed me from a bully to what I am today. It was the most traumatizing and remorseful event and the person I had dedicated my life to, was the one behind it.

That murdered my ability to fathom.

“I know. I understand but is being away from me making you feel any better?” He exhaled, sitting beside me.

Shaking my head, I replied honestly, “No.”

“Then return to me, my love. I am suffering each second without you.” He pleaded with me, taking my hands in his once again.

“Please try to understand, I need time, Dariel.” I whimpered.

I knew I couldn’t leave him but I needed a moment to reflect on things and myself. I needed time to collect my thoughts.

“Will you return?” He asked desperately, holding my hands firmly with no intention of letting go.

“Please.” I could only whisper.

My eyes widened in disbelief, “What…? Then who? He confessed himself that it was him. What are you trying to say?” I frowned, not sure if I should believe in her words or not.

Taking a deep breath, Jacey confessed.

“The one who hit your Father was not Dariel but our Mother.”

“What?!”

My jaw dropped in flabbergasted, finding it hard to swallow that why would Dariel would take a dead person’s blame.

“She was an alcoholic and in constant depression after our Father’s death… She was not in her senses that night and… this happened.”

Her lips quivered, looking while explaining further what happened as it was only tearing my heart with endless bewilderment.

“Then why didn't Dariel tell me?!” I whisper-yelled furiously, gritting my teeth to perceive how I was supposed to tackle this situation now.

“I believe you should ask him but I am requesting you, don’t leave my brother. He is madly in love with you. He can’t bear you leaving him.” She pleaded with me, on the verge of sobbing as the moment of Dariel embracing rushed.

‘I beg you, Saafia. For the sake of our love. Stay.’

He begged and I didn’t stay- What have I done!?

With anguish gathering in my aura, Jacey requested me in a broken tone, willing to do anything for her brother.

“Please talk to him, Saafia. Go to him. He is not your culprit. He didn’t do anything. Please.”

And after hearing it was not him, I must know what exactly happened that he took his mother’s blame.

‘Why did you do this, Dariel? What constraints caused you to be silent to the point you couldn’t tell ‘me’ too?’