Lilac
My father was the first to walk into the dining room. I could smell the alcohol on his breath.
" My child! I missed you so much. You hate your papa these days," he said, spreading his arms. I sighed as I forced myself out of the chair to hug him. He held me dearly, kissing my hair.
" I missed you!" he pinched my cheeks like he did when I was a child. He was delighted to see me. Nat came too. My half-sister was giving me attitude but soon lightened up and hugged me.
After dinner, I told them what happened between Jace and me. They were disappointed, especially Nat since she loved him. However, Dad and Shawna were only disappointed because he was crazy rich.
" You can't let a man like him go because he made a mistake, Lila," Shawna said. " To err is human, to forgiveness is divine,"
" It stopped being a mistake when he kept going to her and didn't speak to me about forgiveness," I hissed.
" Okay, how do I put this? Jace Bailon is a wealthy and powerful man. He's good-looking and chose you as his mate. You need to be grateful and stick it out. Do you know how many women will kill to be in your position?"
" I'm not getting back with him," I declared. I wasn't ready to be with him or see him. I came here to be away from him. Out of sight out of mind, but it seemed these two would make it difficult.
" It's not about money, Mom. He hurt her!" Nat snapped at her mother's incessant rant about how good of a man Jace was. He was good, and I knew it, however, he cheated on me. Not once or twice but several times.
" Oh, don't backchat. I'm still angry at you, you little brat!" Shawna hissed at Nat. I sighed, already mentally exhausted. I looked at Dad, but he had a smirk on his lips that made me worry.
" Enough!" Dad growled, and the two bickering stopped instantly. " My love, Shawna. If my daughter says he doesn't want to be with a cheating bastard let's not force her. Has Jace Bailon helped me many times? Yes. He even made the recent huge investment in the factory, but he betrayed her, and I can't force dear Lilac to stay with him because of money," he said. I was surprised he was being supportive.
" Thank you, Dad," I said until his words registered, " What do you mean he gives you money?" I glared at my father. He nervously touched his beard, unable to meet my eyes.
" Yes, he even paid for this house and both our cars," Added Shawna, touching her diamond bracelet. He got her that too! My family had no shame whatsoever!
" You're all shameless!" I spat.
" I'm sorry, daughter, but we have been having it rough, and I threw my pride off the window long ago. Jace Bailon was always willing to help us, and I accepted his help," Dad told me shamelessly. I wondered why Jace didn't tell me about all this. I felt embarrassed. What must he have been thinking of me? Oh, goddess.
" Dad," I called softly, something coming to my mind," When I was at the university who paid for my tuition?"
He faced the floor. This time his gaze was filled with shame. I shook my head.
" It was Jace. He told us not to tell you," He answered quietly.
" Oh goddess," I whispered on the verge of tears. Jace did everything for me and didn't even want acknowledgment of it. He took care of me since I was sixteen years old.
" Is that why you allowed me to stay with him because he said he'll take care of me financially?" I asked. I wanted to stay with Jace, but they couldn't let me and made things difficult.
" Yes," Shawna answered, and I got up. I went straight to my old room and threw myself on the bed.
My phone rang continuously, it was Jace calling me, but I refused to answer. I didn't know what to say to him. I cried myself to sleep. I woke up when I felt sunshine on my skin, and I fluttered my eyes open. I sat up and stretched my limbs only to gasp when I saw who was sitting in my love seat, watching me. Jace.
" Why are you here?" I asked, bored as I got out of bed. I felt arms around my waist, and a kiss on my shoulder.
" We have to talk," he said, and I nodded. We had to talk.