Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 94720 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 474(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94720 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 474(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
“You thought you could steal from me and get away with it because you’re my daughter?” he seethed. “You thought you’d be able to get away with this?”
“I-I-I just wanted time,” I said through tears.
“I’ve given you time,” he roared, pushing my head against the wall with a thump before letting go of my hair and pacing away. My hands went to my head as if that would alleviate the pain. “I’ve given you everything you’ve ever wanted. I ask for one thing and you can’t do it.”
“I’m sorry.” My lip wobbled. “I’m sorry.”
“You are not sorry.” He walked back over.
Before he even got to me, I squeezed my eyes shut and braced myself. He slapped me so hard, my head turned to the completely opposite side. I gasped loudly as I opened my eyes, holding my burning cheek. He’d never hit me before, even when I used to get on his nerves when I was a kid. A sob bubbled in my chest as I held my face with my right hand and set my left over my chest. He grabbed my hair again, squeezing. I tried to take a deep breath between sobs, but his hold never eased.
“How do you think this has made me look?” He pushed my head back and roared, “How do you think you made me look in front of all of the families?”
“I said I was sorry,” I managed to gasp out. “I can’t take it back.”
He let me go and stepped away, eyes narrowed. “Did you show anyone what you stole?”
“No!” I shouted, desperate to get out of this. “I didn’t even see what was on it!”
“Are you lying, Lenora?” He stared harder.
“I swear. I swear on everything. I hooked it up to the computer and took it right back out because I. . .” I tried to get myself out of control, but my words came out as a wail. “I was scared I’d see you as the monster everyone said you were.”
My entire body shook as I cried into my hands. “I’m sorry. I mean it. I’m sorry.”
“Are you going to continue causing trouble for me?” he asked, his tone much softer, more like the dad I knew.
I shook my head, hands still on my face. “No, I promise. I’ll do as you ask.”
“Good.” He walked over to me, set his hand on my head, and gave me a little massage. “I’m sorry for that, Nora. Sometimes my anger gets the best of me.”
I wiped my face and lowered my hands, unable to look him in the eye.
“Give me the things and come to the kitchen so you can get something to eat,” he said.
I picked up my bag from the floor and handed him the ledger and USB drive.
“Good.” He gave a nod. “Let’s go.”
I followed. If he brought Adriano and a priest here, I’d marry him on the spot. That was how shaken up I felt. He pointed for me to sit, and I sat down on my usual barstool as he opened the fridge, brought out a container of leftover Pasta alla Norma, my favorite, and set out some fruit, water, and juice. I wasn’t hungry, but I was afraid to turn it down once he’d heated the pasta, so I started to take small bites.
“There are many things about me that you wouldn’t understand.” My father stood across from me and set his elbows on the counter, plucking a green grape and popping it into his mouth. “I’ve done a lot of things that I wish I could take back. I may go about things the wrong way, but I only do what’s best for you, Nora.”
“I know,” I whispered, eyes on the pasta again.
“I didn’t even tell your mother, you know,” he said. “With her mother dying and all, I didn’t want to worry her.”
I bit my lip and looked at him, tears in my eyes again. “Please don’t tell her.”
“Maybe I will. Maybe I won’t.” He ate another grape. “We’ll see.”
I wiped my face and started playing with my food. I couldn’t eat anymore. I glanced away from him and saw a folder within reach of me. On top of it, there were pictures of Aanya.
“What is that?” I jutted my chin out at the pictures.
“Oh.” He walked over and picked up the papers. “We got some beautiful pictures of her.” He laid them out in front of me. I felt myself smile. “It’s too bad we had to get rid of her.”
“What?” I dropped my fork, looking from the photos to my father. My stomach clenched so hard I had to cover my mouth in case I vomited. Still covering my mouth, I asked, “You killed her?”
“Killed her?” He laughed, throwing his head back. “Of course not. I know how much you love that horse. I would never kill her.” He looked at me like I was crazy. I hadn’t even fully relaxed when he said, “I sold her.”