Chapter 47 Not Who I Want To See

Chapter 47 Not Who I Want To See
Corran

April and I went out for dinner and drinks because her ankle is healing and she can walk on it. Since she hasn’t been anywhere except for work, I decided to take her out. We were enjoying one last drink before heading back home. 

We were talking and laughing, maybe flirting a little too. 

“Corran." Hearing my name causes me to freeze. 

I can tell who it is without even looking—Edin’s dad, someone I want nothing to do with. He’s always been a bit of an asshole, and when she was ill, he didn’t support her as much as he should have. He’s never liked me, though I don’t know why. It never mattered to me; I’ve never been a fan of his. He’s a lying, selfish, cheating bastard. I tolerated him only for Edin’s sake. 

I lift my head to meet his gaze. He was glaring at me. “Hello, Andrew.” 

He looks back and forth between April and me, disapprovingly shaking his head. “You moved on quickly from my daughter.”

“Sorry, what?” I snap. 

“It has been two years, and you have already moved on. What sort of husband does that?” 

My fists clenched under the table as I grasped for composure. “You don’t understand what you’re saying, Andrew, and frankly, it’s none of your concern.” 

“It has everything to do with me. Have you forgotten her already? You were never good enough for her.” He hisses, shaking his head again. 

“Don’t act as if you were the perfect father. I was the one there for her during her illness, not you. I was with her when she passed and took care of her. Don’t pretend you care now. You weren’t present for any of it until the funeral, when you sought sympathy. You were too busy with your mistress and spending your wife’s money to care for your only daughter.” 

I didn’t intend to say this, but he annoyed me, and everything I said is honest. He doesn’t deserve to call himself a father. 

“Lies.” 

“No, it is the truth. Leave now.” 

I don’t have to tolerate his nonsense and selfishness. Edin’s mother filed for divorce from him last year. She's better off without him. She’s a kind, loving woman who was always there for me, caring for Edin. We’ve always had a strong relationship, and I still see her whenever I can. 

He eyes April with disdain and scoffs. “You have nothing on my daughter. You can never replace her.” 

I'm close to losing my temper with him, but April intercedes first. 

“You have no understanding of the situation. Corran and I are friends, and I have no intention of replacing your daughter—I would never even consider it. Similarly, Corran would never try to replace my late husband. Who do you think you are to come here and say such terrible things? You heard Corran, leave.”

Andrew remains silent and quickly leaves. 

I finish my drink and sigh. "Can we leave?" 

April nods in agreement and does the same. I settle the bill and head straight for the exit, with April falling behind me. I'll wait outside for her, as I need to get out of there before I do something reckless, like punching him. 

I groan in frustration and pull my hair as soon as I step outside. You'd think after losing Edin, we'd make an effort to fix things, but that’s difficult with someone like him. I tried, but he didn’t care. To him, Edin was gone, and so was I. He wanted nothing more to do with me. Edin would be so upset with him and how our relationship is now. 

April appears a moment later, placing her hand on my arm. “Are you okay?” 

“No,” I snap, though I didn’t mean to.

April sighs and pulls her hand back from my arm. “We should head home.” 

She walks ahead of me. I shake my head, feeling guilty for snapping at her, then hurry to catch up.

“I am sorry; I didn’t mean to snap at you.” 

She looks at me and smiles. “It's okay. I'm sorry he said those terrible things to you, Corran. He had no right. None of it was true.” 

She is right; none of it is true, yet I still feel guilty somehow. 

“I know. I haven’t seen him since the funeral. He never liked me. I was never a fan of his, but I put up with him for Edin’s sake. Edin’s mum is the opposite of him. I am so glad Edin took after her rather than him.” 

“Families are always challenging. Corbin and I have been on our own since we were teenagers, even earlier. None of his family attended his funeral, but I’m glad they didn’t. A person’s parents’ actions don’t define them. What’s important is that you loved Edin, and she loved you. Her father’s opinion doesn’t matter.” 

“I am sorry that you or Corbin didn’t have a family.”

“We did. We had each other. That was all that mattered.”

“That is very true.” 

We take the short walk back home. We chose a place within walking distance, mindful of April's ankle. I notice her shivering. I had told her to bring a coat, but she insisted a cardigan would suffice—something she might be regretting now. 

I take off my coat and drape it over her shoulders. 

“Corran, you'll get cold. You only have a T-shirt on now," she says, trying to hand it back to me. 

“I’m fine. I was born and raised in Scotland, so I can tolerate the cold for five minutes.” I chuckle. 

“Thank you. Such a gentleman. It smells wonderful." She giggles. 

I laugh. “Thanks.” 

April smiles warmly at me as we walk in comfortable silence. I try to ignore what happened in the restaurant, though it’s easier said than done. We had planned to watch a movie when we got back, but I think it’s better if I just go home and get to bed. I wouldn’t be good company right now. I’m not really in the mood anymore. 

“April, do you mind if we call it a night when we arrive home? I am not really in the mood for a movie now. I am just going to shower and head to bed.” 

“No, that is okay. I get it. We can do it another night.” She replies. 

I place a soft kiss on her cheek. “Thank you for understanding.” 

“Always.” She smiles. 

I will make it up to her another night. I knew she would understand and not be annoyed with me.