Chapter 186

Chapter 186
Renee’s POV

I almost couldn’t believe I was sitting opposite him. My father, that is. His assistant brought in coffee for the both of us, before she excused herself.

I cleared my throat, trying to dismiss the awkward air, before picking up my cup of coffee.

“She’s new” I stated, before blowing on the hot liquid and sipping from it.

“I fired the old one immediately I got back to work” he said and I hummed.

“About time” I said, recalling how she called security on me the last time I came here.

He cleared his throat too.
Okay. Awkward.

I looked around his office. This was probably the first time that I felt any semblance of peace in this room. I was always tense every time I had to show up here, and that barely even happened, given the fact that he didn’t want people to know this embarrassment was his daughter.
So, in total, I was probably here five times or less. And it was always because I did something wrong. Obviously not me though, since I was always framed.
The things I had heard in this same space, the words, the insults. As if on cue, they flooded my brain. I stared at him. It was so hard to believe he was the same person sitting in front of me.

Despite the fact that there was a major difference in the situations now, I was still slightly tense.

“How’s work?” I asked, actively trying not to show how nervous I am.

“It’s stable now. Sabrina and Olga created quite the mess when I was gone.” he explained and I resisted the urge to scoff. Of course they did. Typical.

“How is the King doing?” he finally asked, curiosity written all over his face. He was there that day. He saw me use my powers. Almost everyone saw me. I mean, the entire city was still buzzing with the news but we decided to make no statements.

“He’s okay now” I said, and he sighed in relief.

“Anything you want to tell me?” he asked and I shook my head.

“Nothing” I said, before looking away.

I could feel his persistent stare on the side of my head. I looked at him again before finally caving. I honestly did not have a reason to not want him to know, but I just felt the need to be stubborn.
“Fine. Yes, I have powers, but I’m not a witch or-”

“I know you almost died,” he suddenly said, cutting me off and I froze.

“Oh.” I said, surprise evident in my tone.
That was what he was talking about? How did he find out?

“Oh? You almost died!” he said, with emphasis on “died”. He seemed very confused and shocked, like he couldn’t process how indifferent I was about it.

I almost rolled my eyes.

“It was something I had to do. There was no other way than to exchange my life for his” I said and he froze.

“Hold on. That’s what happened? You put your life on the line for Alex?” he asked and I was taken aback.

“I thought you knew!” I exclaimed. What the hell was going on?!

“I didn’t know the details. I thought it was an accident or something but knowing this now is just…” he trailed off.

“How could you do such a thing?” he asked and I slowly felt anger seeping into my system.

“Don’t lecture me, dad” I said, a very rude emphasis on the ‘dad’. More of mockery honestly.

He sighed, ignoring my comment.
“You don’t even like him! Renee, just come back. You don’t have to get married to him again. I’ll speak to his mother and we’ll come to another-”

“No.” I cut him off sharply and he froze.

“Don’t be stubborn. I won’t have you risking your life for someone you don’t even have feelings for. I won’t let you die because of the stupid decisions I made” he argued and I scoffed.

“You have no right to interfere in my life. How do you even know I have no feelings for him? Did you ask me? Deal with your guilt but don’t project it by trying to mess up my life.” I was angry and it was obvious.

“I- That’s not-” he started to talk but I cut him off.

“I love him. But even if I didn’t, whatever decision I make still isn't your business. But I do, I love him. He was going to die and I wasn’t going to just watch it happen. There was a solution and I took it. That’s the only way I would have been happy. What? You’d rather I sit around and watch him die like you did to mom?” I didn’t realise it until I said it. I had struck a nerve. The way his eyes changed immediately I made that statement was a clear giveaway. Guilt washed over me and my anger faded like a bucket of ice water was dumped on my head.

“I didn’t mean to say-”

“No, it’s okay. I understand you” he said, with a sad smile lacing his lips.
My heart dropped.
I knew there was nothing he could do about my mother’s death but I just…

He sighed deeply before looking at me again.
“I didn’t mean any harm, Renee. I’m sorry it came off that way. You’re right, I shouldn’t interfere in your life and whether or not you love him, it doesn’t matter. I still shouldn’t interfere. I get that. But Renee, did you stop to think how I would feel if I suddenly heard of your death?”

I swallowed. A part of me knew this. I just didn’t know how to tell my father that I was going to die.
I couldn’t speak. I didn’t even know what to say.

“You mean the world to me and yes, we don’t have the best relationship but I honestly don’t know what I’ll do if I ever lose you.” he explained and I stubbornly sniffed back tears. I hated how quickly my heart melted.

“I have made so many mistakes and terrible decisions and I’m trying to make things right again. I don’t want to fail your mother any more than I have” he suddenly said and I couldn’t hold it in anymore. Tears just kept rolling down my cheeks.

“I’m sorry” I whispered through the lump in my throat.

“No, no, no, don’t be”

He got up and walked to the sofa I sat on. He sat beside me, a little hesitant. I turned to him and one look at his face and I found myself in his arms. I hugged him so tight, it almost felt like my heart was being squeezed. I just completely broke down in his arms as he held me tight.

When I finally calmed down, I finally pulled away from him and he hurriedly wiped his face, before forcing a small smile and wiping my tears away as I sniffed.

“I’m sorry for making you cry” he said and I shook my head.

Unbelievable.
“This is seriously embarrassing” I said, with a light chuckle as I looked away in embarrassment.

He laughed too. It was so genuine and pure. I almost froze.
At that moment, I realized I didn’t remember the last time I heard him laugh. He never did, not even with Olga. He was always… angry and cold.

Then it hit me. Maybe he was grieving too, but in a different way. I wasn’t going to ruin the moment by bringing any of that up though.

My phone buzzed and I froze before fishing it out of my purse.
It was a message from Lily.
Yes. Cara Dorothy.
I was supposed to meet her after seeing my father.

“I have to go now, I have a meeting with someone” I said and I could see the disappointment in his eyes as he smiled and nodded.

“I’ll come by the house later this week. Let’s make the cookies mom used to make” I said and I kid you not, his eyes lit up like a child’s.

“Okay, I’ll be expecting you” he said and I smiled softly.

I sighed. There was one more thing but I was hesitating. Was I really ready for this?

“Just say it” he said, looking at me knowingly.

I let out a nervous laugh.
Okay, here we go.

“Dad,” I started and I could see the shock written all over his face, he could barely control it. I mean, the last time I genuinely called him that, I was a kid.
“Will you walk me down the aisle?” I finally said it.

If he was shocked before, I had no words to describe the emotions on his face.