Chapter 171

Chapter 171
Renee's POV

It's been a while since everything got settled. Sasha sent Lily to one of her vacation homes. She also wanted her to feel comfortable, so she had the whole place to herself.
Relaxation is paramount. In Sasha's words…

She was right. Lily deserved a break, she needed to breathe and see the world beyond her rage.
I was slowly getting used to calling her Lily, as she requested.

All charges against her were dropped. As expected.
And we were building quite the case against Bryan.
There were so many things that weren't even in the file. It was insane. He was insane. The literal mad king.

Alex and Dylan were almost going crazy searching for Stella. They could arrest Sabrina but they needed more concrete proof and that loose end was Stella. As obsessive as she was, I doubt she'd want to hurt someone out of her own will. It was so darn obvious that Sabrina made her get involved.

It was almost like she disappeared. It was honestly becoming concerning. And I could tell Alex was worried as well, no matter how hard he tried to hide it.

According to Dylan, Stella never strays too far from Alex. Even when she does something wrong. She was always within reach. He was the only family she had, so she was attached.
I remember him telling me that she basically lived alone growing up. Her parents were never around.

Unfortunately, she didn't try to make friends apart from Alex. She was just stuck, no matter how hard he tried. It was so bad, that no matter how far they took her, she'd always come right back. Hence, why she had a room in the palace. They just got used to it.

Now that she wasn't a runaway again but likely missing, I completely understood how Alex must feel.

Sasha and Valerie were busy with wedding preparations. They had grown crazy close and it was so refreshing to see.
No matter how much I told them to relax and hold on since the wedding was months away, they didn't listen.
“It takes months to host the perfect wedding anyway” In Sasha's words.

“Besides, it's a ROYAL WEDDING” In Val's words.
At this point, I could almost hear them in my head.

Vivi on the other hand was obsessed with making me the perfect dress. Maybe I shouldn't have given her creative freedom. I didn't exactly have anything in mind, I just wanted something stunning and I knew she would deliver. So, I wasn't worried about that at all.

All I had to do was just relax and watch everyone do their thing.

Emma and I had grown closer through all this. I just let it happen. I didn't question it, I just went with the flow, despite my fears.
Besides, Hera is completely positive about her.
And she has gotten over her dislike for Lily.

No, actually, she said she dislikes Cara but likes Lily. Weird little thing.

And me? I completely understand Lily. Everything she has been through are things no one should ever have to go through.
She thinks I resent her for deceiving me but I really don't.
I had it in mind to ask her to be my maid of honour when she's back from her trip. Fingers crossed, she agrees.

Overall, I've been good. Asides for one not so little thing that has been bugging my mind.

My father.

As much as I resented him, I still wanted to talk to him.
It bothered me so much.
He was supposed to be the one to walk me down the aisle.
But he dislikes me, so there's that.

I spoke to Val and Vivi and told them I'd like them to walk me down the aisle.
They were a little worried about me but I assured them I was okay and that was what I wanted.

Did I lie? No.
It was really what I wanted.
But a huge part of me just wanted my father back. The man who put me on his shoulders and spun me around. The one who would sneak me my favourite candies when my mother wasn't looking.
Where did he go?
Where was he?

I wondered how he was doing. I knew his leg had completely healed and he had resumed back to work. But how was he doing? I mean, he did go through something quite traumatising.

Should I call him?
Would that be weird?

I suddenly sat up, pushing the pillow I was hugging aside.
I reached for my phone and scrolled to his number.

“Father”.
That was what his number was saved as.

I cocked my head to the side. It was like a reminder of everything he put me through.

Fuck this.
No way.
I wasn't going to call him.

I sighed and dropped my phone with a frustrated groan, before plopping back on the bed again.

Just then, my phone buzzed and I grabbed it and picked it up without really looking at the screen.

“Hello” I said and there was silence.

Huh?

Just as I was about to check whose call I picked, I heard his voice.
“Renée” he said and I froze.

Slowly, I checked the screen.

“Father”.

Speak of the fucking devil.

I couldn't speak. I was tongue tied all of a sudden.

He sighed on the other end.

“How are you?” he asked and I swallowed past my shock before answering.

“I'm alright.” I said, a little too harsh.

A beat of silence passed. I wanted to ask how he was doing too but it just didn't come out.

“I heard about the wedding,” he said.

It was not surprising.
It was the talk of the entire city.

“Congratulations” he said and I shrugged.

“Thank you” I said.

I meant it.
If not for him, I probably wouldn't be where I was.
He pushed me to marry Alex, regardless of his reasons.

“Can we talk?” he asked and I straightened.
“We need to talk,” he added.

Honestly, he sounded exhausted and I hated how curious I was about it.

“Okay. Where and when?” I asked.

“Now? I'm in my office” he said.

I shook my head immediately, before remembering he couldn't see me.

“No way. Not after last time” I said, recalling how his stupid receptionist called security on me and I literally had to fight them off.

“Oh. Let's meet at home then?” he said, unsurely.

I almost laughed. The audacity he had to request that.

“What? So your family can harass me again?” I was getting agitated.

“No, no. Olga and Sabrina aren't there. They won't ever be again.” he said and I raised a brow.

Now, I didn't see that coming.

I let out a sharp breath.

“Fine, let's meet there,” I said.

A part of me wanted to be there anyway. It feels like I've been too distant from my mother.

I set a time that was more comfortable for me and we ended the call.

I got up to change out of the playsuit I was wearing to a basic top and jeans.

Just as I was packing my hair up into a ponytail, Alex came in.

“Dear goddess. Where is my fiancée going looking so hot?” he said as he walked to me and wrapped his arms around my waist from behind.

I smiled at him through the mirror and rolled my eyes dramatically.

“Aren't you exaggerating just a little bit?” I teased and he shook his head.

“Nope. You always look hot.” He said, like it was what he was sure about the most.

I giggled before turning around, now facing him.

“He called” I said and his look turned a tad bit serious.

“Your father?” He asked, immediately knowing exactly who it was.

I nodded.
“He wants to meet” I said and he looked at me with worried eyes.

“Do you want me to go with you?” he asked and I smiled.

“I would love nothing more, but, I think this is something I need to handle by myself” I said and he nodded slowly, before smacking his lips.

“Well, no matter how it goes, it's better to talk than to keep wondering” he said and I nodded in agreement.

“Yes, exactly. I'm so tired of wondering” I said, before turning back to the mirror to apply a layer of clear gloss.

I checked the time. I still had a little more time but it would take a while to drive there either way.

“I should probably get going” I said and Alex nodded, before pulling me into a warm hug.

“Remember, I'm just one call away,” he said and I nodded.

“Yes, I have you on speed dial” I said and he laughed, before pulling away.

“Be careful, yeah?” he said and I let out a chuckle.

“Alex, I'm going to see my father, not fight a war” I said and he looked at me knowingly.
Right.
It was basically a war.

“Okay, okay. I'll be careful” I said and he let out a relieved breath.

I left the room shortly after. I decided to drive my car. My mother's car.

Soon enough, I pulled up to the Sinclair mansion.
I stepped out of my car and stared up at the once vibrant building.
Now, it looked void. Like it lacked life.

The parking lot was empty, so I wasn't sure if he was home yet. He could have easily parked his car in the garage.

I made my way to the door and tried it.
Strangely enough, it was locked.
That's odd.

There were usually workers flying around but the house surprisingly looked empty.

I stared at the keypad.
Olga changed the password long ago, just to make me feel left out.
It used to be my birthday.

She thought I didn't know what she changed it to, but it was so easy to read people as dumb as Olga.
It was her daughter's birthday. I figured it out long ago. But she didn't know that because we never really actually had to use it.

I slid open the keypad and typed in the password.
To my surprise, it didn't work.

That's odd. It definitely worked back then.

I paused, my fingers hovering over the pad.

Did my father change it? I mean, he did mention something about Olga and Sabrina not being here again.

Did he-
No way.

I bit my bottom lip as I considered it.
Fuck it.
The worst that can happen is for it not to work.

I rapidly pressed the keypad and after a quick breath, pressed enter.

No way.
It worked.

My birthday.