Chapter 47 An Overbearing Father

Chapter 47 An Overbearing Father
Alina’s POV

He wants me to apologize for being a reasonable person? 

Heck no!

I felt like I’d been struck. Then a bitter laugh bubbled up. “I’m not going anywhere until I’m sure Kai is alright and that is final! And I’m not apologizing because I didn’t do anything wrong!”

“Miss Alina,” Ryder said seriously, glancing around at the staring staff. “The best doctors are attending to him. Don’t create misunderstandings with your father over this. Come with me first. I’ll bring you back when everything settles.”

I shook my head, planting my feet stubbornly. “I will not leave Kai’s side. Not when he needs me.”

Ryder’s voice dropped, heavy with warning. “You have to come quietly. Don’t make me use force, Miss…your father’s orders.”

Force? Isn’t he supposed to be on my side?

The betrayal hit hard. I looked at him…Ryder, who I thought was one of my people…with tears blurring my vision. 

I wiped them away angrily and turned, walking toward the exit with heavy steps. I’ll be back, Kai. I promise.

My blood-stained dress swished, heels clicking on the tile as I kept walking. Ryder followed silently close behind as the air between us grew awkward.

It’s time I handle this once and for all. 

The hospital doors slid open to the cool evening air with the sirens still echoing faintly in the distance. 

My mind raced with everything I’d seen tonight…the way I felt when Kai was being humiliated, the fear that gripped me when he didn’t surface, the blood, the way my heart had nearly stopped. 

This wasn’t simple affection anymore or basic care for another human. This was deeper. Scarier. And I wasn’t sure I was ready to face what that meant.

But I knew one thing… I wasn’t going back to that cage without a fight.

The estate gates loomed ahead like the bars of a familiar cage as our car rolled through them an hour later. 

When Ryder opened the door for me, I stepped out, blood still staining the front of my dress. My hands were sticky with it and my heart hadn’t stopped racing since the hospital.

Parked right in the circular driveway were the Harringtons’ cars…sleek black SUVs with their unmistakable plates. They were already here. 

Of course they were.

A cold resolution settled over me. No more polite smiles. No more playing the perfectly groomed daughter in front of these people. I gathered the ruined hem of my dress in my fists, lifting it slightly in an unladylike manner, and started toward the grand entrance. 

Ryder touched my arm softly, his voice low and urgent. “Miss Ariella…,” he said and hesitated when I flashed him an angry scowl.

Seconds later, he continued. “You remind me so much of my sister right now. Although she is dead now, when she was alive, she always pushed boundaries that got her into trouble. Please, don’t get into more trouble with your father. Try to resolve this without angering him further.”

I turned, a sharp grin breaking across my face despite everything. “That advice should be for my father, Ryder. Not me. He’s the one who shouldn’t anger me any further.”

With that, I marched inside, leaving him standing there with his words still on his tongue.

The massive doors swung open before I even reached them, the uniformed staff averting their eyes from my disheveled state. 

The foyer lights were too bright, reflecting off marble floors that echoed my footsteps. I knew exactly where they’d be…the guest living room, the one reserved for important visitors, with its heavy velvet drapes, antique furniture, and the faint smell of aged whiskey and leather.

As I neared the closed double doors, their voices drifted out…low, tense murmurs that had me clenching my fist in annoyance. I didn’t announce myself or enter politely. I just pushed the doors open wide with a rather rude manner.

The room fell silent instantly as every head turned.

Father sat in his usual high-backed leather chair near the fireplace, his face a mask of conflicted restraint, like he was physically holding back whatever storm raged inside him. Regina sat beside him, offering me a soft, knowing smile that almost made my eyes sting again.

Across the room, the Harringtons occupied the opposite sofa like they owned the place. Mr. and Mrs. Harrington looked impeccable, oh and furious. 

And there was the almighty Blake, nursing a drink, his eyes gleaming with triumph the moment they landed on mine.

I stepped fully inside, the blood on my dress stark under the chandelier light.

“Good evening,” I said coldly, nodding to the Harringtons without any hint of grace or poise in my posture, before turning to my father. “Father… Why did you send for me? I was doing something important at the hospital.”

Mrs. Harrington shook her head, lips pursed in distaste. “What happened to the sweet, cultured Alina we were promised? Why is she looking like… like…”

“Normal?” I cut in, lifting my chin. “I think that’s the word you’re searching for. I bet you’re wondering why I look like every normal young adult…right?”

Father’s voice cracked like a whip. “Mind your attitude, young lady,” he snapped. “I called you back to apologize to your fiance for humiliating him in front of everyone.”

Blake leaned forward, eyes gleaming with entitlement. “Sorry to interrupt, Mr. Sterling, but it won’t end with just an apology. I want us to hold a press conference. She needs to apologize publicly and announce that she has nothing going on with that worthless scholarship kid. Then we can proceed forward as planned.”

Wow! What an entitled brat.

A bitter laugh escaped me and I didn’t even try to make it sound noble. “Your highness… What about I kiss your feet in public too and announce that you’re my king and lord while I’m at it?”

“Alina!” Father barked, rising slightly from his chair.

Oh, but I didn’t back down. “I don’t have an iota of energy to argue with all of you. What do you mean I should apologize to this rude brat who almost had me in the hospital? Father, are you even aware that it would have been me bleeding on the floor if Kai hadn’t stepped in?”

I saw my father clenching his teeth and knew that one got to him. But before he could respond, Blake scoffed, squaring his shoulders proudly. 

“Now you can agree with me that it’s all your fault…right, Princess? None of this would have happened if you didn’t take that poor rat’s side or defend him in front of me!” He said angrily, his voice slightly raised at me.

“Stop calling him that!” My own voice rose as well, echoing off the walls. “He has a name. And this isn’t even about Kai. This is the same way you treat everyone beneath you…my bodyguard, the staff and even students. You’re just a spoiled, privileged daddy’s boy who wouldn’t grow a pair and stand on his own two feet!”

Father shot up quickly in anger and the Harringtons followed, their faces twisted with piss and disappointment. Mr. Harrington’s jaw clenched so tight I thought it might crack.

“Where are you learning all this nonsense, Alina?!” Father demanded, voice booming. “How to talk back in such an unruly manner? What has come over you?!”

“I know what, Mr Sterling. It must be that poor boy influencing her negatively,” Blake added smugly.

Father’s face darkened with anger. “I knew it was a problem the moment you said that you wanted to experience going to school. My biggest regret was giving you that chance. I shouldn't have.”

Regina’s eyes widened instantly as she turned to him. “Frederick, what are you talking about? A boy who saved your only child is in the hospital and you’re talking about a public apology, her behavior and your regret? What is going on?”

I laughed without humor. “Why are you wasting your breath, Regina? This is my father we're talking about here. He would rather side with everyone else except me. I gave up on him the day I was almost killed in that fire and he didn’t even look rattled. He is no father to me.”

The words hung heavy as my father’s face flushed crimson. He marched toward me, hand raised to strike but I didn’t flinch. I didn’t even dodge. 

I just stared straight at him…daring him to do it.