Chapter 73: CHAPTER SEVENTY-THREE

“YOU SHOULD not have gone to your dad alone. You promised, remember?”

“I-I’m so sorry,” was all Cyrel could say. She could not look Ross in the eyes.

He was more worried than mad, though. And she did not want to see it. Cyrel felt like she did not deserve Ross’s concern. Her family wronged his family.

Ross took her to her father’s penthouse. Cyrel was sitting on the corner of the couch while Ross paced. A few moments later, he knelt in front of her and cupped her face.

“Look at me, Cyrel.”

Cyrel did not make a move.

“Please,” Ross implored.

With a sob, Cyrel met his eyes.

“Does it hurt a lot?” he asked, glancing at the bruise on her lip.

“It’s nothing. It’s proof of how weak my dad is.”

Ross leaned forward and planted a gentle kiss on her lips.

“We’ll put a cold compress on that.”

“I’m sorry, Ross.”

“You’re forgiven. Are you sure we’re going to tell Dad everything now?”

“This could not wait for any more, Ross. We must tell your dad before my father can think of a way to get away with his crime,” Cyrel said firmly.

Ross nodded as he sat beside her.

“I will never forgive your father for hurting you.”

CYREL stared at her phone ringing. Her mom had been calling her non-stop. It wasn’t enough to ignore her. So, she finally decided to turn it off.

“You know she’d only wait another time to call you again,” Ross remarked.

“What do I do then?” she asked with a sigh.

“Tell her that you have made up your mind.”

Cyrel stared at her vibrating phone and contemplated. Ross was right. With another sigh, she took the call.

“C-Cyrel…” Her mom sounded in tears. “Darling, what’s going on? What did you do to your dad?”

“I don’t know, Mom. Maybe we should talk when you realize whose fault it really is. You should have realized by now that while I was doing everything to please you, I’m not actually stupid to know what’s going on. Did Dad tell you I’m to blame if we ever lose our house? Open your eyes, Mom. You regret marrying me off just to save your company now, don’t you? Well, I’m not backing down. I’ll make sure Dad loses everything.”

“He’s still your father, Cyrel!”

“And I won’t be an accessory to his crime. Goodbye, Mom.” Cyrel ended the call and turned her phone off.

As soon as she put her phone down on the table, she caught her mouth as fresh tears rolled down her cheeks. Ross quickly came to her side and pulled her into his arms.

“It’s all right,” he said as he pulled her head to his chest. “It’s all right.”

Rustom was already talking to his lawyer. Ross said it would all be all right. She doubted it. In the coming days, she knew things would get messier.

“IT’S ALL right, Cyrel,” Rustom said once the lawyer left. He put a hand on her shoulder and gave her a squeeze. “I believe you, and I could only imagine how tough it is to be in your shoes. You could have chosen to remain silent, but you chose to do the right thing. To me, it does not mean that you don’t love your parents. I just feel sorry that Christian resorted to this. You know, I really considered him as a friend.”

That only made Cyrel feel worse. When she glanced up to meet Rustom’s gaze, tears had welled up around her eyes in an instant.

“I’m sorry, Dad. I could have prevented this. I should have been wiser. I knew I could not trust Dad.”

“That’s the downside of having a generous heart, isn’t it?” Rustom smiled, but it did not reach his eyes. “You’re only a victim. We are the victims here, but I know it won’t make you feel better.” He sighed. “You were not the only one who made a mistake trusting your father. This is going to be a long battle, Cyrel. Prepare your heart.”

“I-I-m really sorry, Dad.”

“You’re a good girl. I’m proud of you. I could not wish for a better daughter-in-law other than you. Come here.” Rustom pulled her into a hug. “Try not to think about things that much, okay? I have lawyers. They know what to do. Take care of yourself and focus on your family with Ross.”

“I don’t deserve your kindness,” she said as she sobbed.

“You do. Your father doesn’t.”

Cyrel pulled away.

“It would be a huge favor to see him pay for his wrong decisions. I’ll try not to be emotional.”

“Good girl.” Rustom tapped her cheeks. He glanced at Ross, who was standing quietly on the other side of the room. “Ross, I’ll let you out early. Take Cyrel somewhere. She needed some fresh air. When we see each other again tonight, I don’t want us talking about anything that has something to do with Christian, okay?”

“Thanks, Dad,” Ross said as he stood beside Cyrel. “You want some ice cream, Mrs. King? I know a place.”

Cyrel wiped her tears with the back of her hand as she turned to Ross.

“I would love that.”

Ross smiled.

“Okay. But, first, let’s dry your tears.”

“GOSH, I look so awful,” Cyrel said with a frown as she studied her reflection on her phone.

They were sitting outside a popular convenience store. Ross bought coffee floats and hotdogs, and some potato chips.

“You still look cute to me.”

“You really know what to say,” Cyrel snorted. “You should have brought me to a fancy restaurant, then,” she joked.

Ross chuckled as he took a sip.

“This is actually good,” he remarked.

“I know.” Cyrel took a sip and instantly felt better.

“Don’t you like it? A date in a convenience store for a change?” he asked.

“Raymond and I used to date a lot in convenience stores.”

Ross’s forehead knotted.

Cyrel laughed at once.

“I was just saying. Don’t worry. This is the best convenience store date ever.”

She pinched his nose. Ross frowned.

“Thank you, Ross,” she said sincerely.

“Anything for you.” Ross leaned and gave her a quick kiss on the corner of her lips. “But no more bringing up an ex, please. That’s not fair. I regretted my last relationship.”

Cyrel smiled.

“Of course.”