Chapter 83 Half Heaven, Half Storm
Danielle’s POV
The moment Mr. Roland dropped the papers on our desks, my heart was already racing like I’d run ten miles. I swear I didn’t even want to flip mine over at first.
My grades had been slipping, and I barely slept studying.
But when I finally turned the paper…
I froze.
“18/20?” I whispered under my breath, staring at the red ink like it was some kind of miracle.
My chest went warm. I covered my mouth because I honestly felt like screaming. Tears even threatened to fall but I blinked them back before anyone saw.
I didn’t get to celebrate quietly though, because the moment I stepped out of class, Liam was already waiting by the hallway, leaning on the wall with that stupid smile that always made me want to hide my face.
He saw the paper in my hand and his eyes widened.
“No way. Rookie, really?”
Before I could respond, he grabbed me by the waist and lifted me off the ground.
“Liam!” I squealed, slapping his shoulder even though I was laughing so hard I almost forgot how to breathe.
The other students stared, but I didn’t even care.
When he finally put me down, he kept his hands on my waist for a second longer than necessary.
My cheeks felt hot.
“You did amazing,” he said softly, staring at me like I just handed him the moon.
“I… didn’t think I would,” I muttered, hiding my face behind the paper.
“Come on,” he said, nudging my shoulder with his. “i promised me a celebratory dinner if you passed.”
“Well…,”
“i did,” he cut in playfully, already holding my hand as we walked down the steps of the school building.
He didn’t let go.
The sun was setting, painting everything orange, and the breeze made it feel like some cheesy teenage movie.
I didn’t mind.
For once, it felt peaceful. Just his hand brushing against mine, both of us smiling at nothing.
We reached the small lakeside restaurant I liked.
It wasn’t fancy, but the fairy lights around the wooden deck were enough to make anyone feel like they were floating.
We sat by the railing, our knees touching under the table.
“I’m really proud of you, Rookie,” he said, staring at the water instead of me.
“Thanks,” I said, my heart thudding against my ribs. “I’m kind of proud of myself too.”
He laughed quietly. “You should be.”
I could feel him watching me. And the more he stared, the harder it was to act normal.
Then he leaned in.
Slowly.
His eyes dropped to my lips.
My breath hitched. My heart went wild.
I didn’t move back. I didn’t want to.
He was so close that I could feel the warmth of his breath mixing with mine.
His hand moved from the table to my cheek, his thumb brushing my skin gently.
“Danielle…” he whispered.
My eyes fluttered closed.
Just a second more and….
My phone vibrated loudly in my pocket.
I jumped like I’d been caught stealing.
“Oh! sorry, sorry.” I fumbled with the phone, already embarrassed that something so stupid ruined the moment.
Liam chuckled, scratching the back of his neck but he looked a little disappointed.
“It’s okay. You can pick it.”
I looked at the screen.
Mum.
Immediately, my stomach twisted.
“I…uh, give me a second,” I said softly, standing up before he could notice the way my hands trembled.
I stepped away from the restaurant deck, pacing near the trees for some privacy before answering.
“Mum? What’s wrong?”
Her breath on the other end was shaky. Not like scared..
but broken.
“Danielle…” her voice cracked. “Your father… he’s dying.”
Everything inside me shut down.
My ears started ringing.
I couldn’t speak. I couldn’t breathe.
“No,” I finally whispered. “No, no—how? What happened?”
Yes I wanted to get my revenge on him but not him dead!
“He asked for you,” she said, choking between words. “You need to come. Now.”
My hand went numb around the phone.
I hung up without even replying. I turned around, trying to steady my breathing as I walked back to Liam.
He stood up immediately when he saw my face. “Hey… Rookie, what happened?”
I forced a smile that probably looked painful.
“I um… Becca needs me.”
It was the first lie that came out.
“Oh,” he said softly. “Do you want me to drive?”
“No!” I said too fast, shaking my head. “No, I… I’ll go alone.”
He looked confused but didn’t push it.
I couldn’t look at him.
Not when my chest felt like someone was squeezing it.
Before he could say anything else, I turned and ran.
I didn’t even grab my bag from the chair.
I just ran.
I didn’t stop to breathe nor think.
I didn’t stop to feel the tears on my cheeks.
I just kept running until the campus disappeared behind me, until all I could hear was my heartbeat pounding like thunder.
At the hospital, by the time I pushed through the hospital doors, my chest was burning and my hands were shaking uncontrollably.
A nurse led me to his room. I wasn’t ready.
I still entered.
The moment I saw him, my knees almost gave way.
My father; a strong, loud, stubborn man looked nothing like himself.
His skin was pale, his lips cracked, tubes everywhere, machines beeping slowly like they were counting down.
He turned his head weakly.
“Danielle…” His voice was barely a whisper.
I moved closer, swallowing back the pain crushing my throat.
I reached for his hand. It was cold.
“Where’s Becca?” he asked, his eyes desperate. “Did you… did you find her?”
My chest tightened again.
I could’ve told him the truth. But he didn't deserve to know, after all he did.
But his eyes… they were begging.
“I still haven’t found her,” I lied softly.
His face crumpled as tears fell down his cheeks.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “For everything. For what I did. For what I didn’t do. I’m so… so sorry.”
I stood there, frozen, not knowing how to comfort him. Not knowing how to even feel anything except the storm swirling inside me.
He cried harder.
Begging forgiveness. Begging for Becca.
Begging for time he didn’t have.
I couldn’t cry not in front of him.
So I just held his hand tightly until his breathing steadied again.
After some time, he drifted asleep and I stepped out quietly, wiping my face.
I wasn’t ready to see anything else.
But then I stopped.
Because down the hallway, near the reception… I saw my mother.
Talking to someone.
No, arguing with someone.
Director Hale.
His tall figure leaned toward her, his expression sharp, secretive, dangerous.
My heart dropped to my stomach.
What the hell was that man doing with my mother?
And why did she look like she was hiding it?
My feet refused to move as I stared at them in shock.
Suddenly the vase behind, fell causing a loud noise.