Chapter 5: The Man Who Wanted Me Back
I stared at Michael’s message for what felt like an eternity.
The words were simple.
Too simple.
But they carried something underneath them.
Something cold.
Something I didn’t want to believe.
“I don’t understand,” I whispered.
Daniel took the phone back.
“I didn’t want you to see this.””
“Then why show me now?””
“Because you need to know what’s happening.””
I looked at him.
“You think he’s using me?””
Daniel didn’t answer immediately.
That answer was enough.
I stood up.
“You don’t know that.””
“No.””
His voice remained calm.
“I don’t.””
“Then why are you making him look like the villain?””
“Because I know people.””
I shook my head.
“You hate him.””
Daniel looked surprised.
“No.””
“You do.””
“I hate what he did.””
The difference stopped me.
Because Daniel had never insulted Michael.
Not once.
Even when I was younger and asked why my father left.
He always said:
“Some people make mistakes they spend their whole lives trying to fix.””
I had assumed he was defending Michael.
Now I realized he was protecting me.
“Why didn’t you ever tell me he contacted you?””
Daniel looked toward the lake.
“Because every time I thought about telling you, I imagined your face.””
“What about my face?””
“The disappointment.””
My throat tightened.
“You thought I’d be disappointed in you?””
“No.””
He shook his head.
“I thought you’d be hurt.””
A tear slipped down my cheek.
“I was already hurt.””
“I know.””
“Then why?””
Daniel looked at me.
“Because children shouldn’t have to carry adult failures.””
I wanted to argue.
But I couldn’t.
Because some part of me understood.
The problem was he protected me so much that he took away my choice.
“Did you pay for everything because you wanted to control me?””
His expression changed.
Pain.
Real pain.
“No.””
“Then why?””
He smiled sadly.
“Because I wanted your wedding day to be everything you dreamed of.””
I looked away.
The guilt was overwhelming.
“I’m sorry.””
Daniel didn’t respond.
“I’m serious.””
He nodded.
“I know.””
“But I hurt you.””
“Yes.””
The honesty surprised me.
Then he added:
“But you’re my daughter.””
That broke me.
I cried.
Not the quiet tears I had been holding back.
The kind that made my shoulders shake.
Daniel stood up.
For a second, I thought he would hug me.
But he didn’t.
And I understood why.
Some wounds didn’t disappear because you apologized.
“I need time,” he said.
I nodded.
“I understand.””
Before I left, he stopped me.
“Emma.””
I turned around.
“Be careful tomorrow.””
“Why?””
His eyes moved to the phone.
“Because Michael isn’t the only person who came back.””
I frowned.
“What does that mean?””
Daniel looked uncomfortable.
“Ask your mother about the money.””
“What money?””
But he was already walking away.
I returned home feeling more confused than ever.
The wedding was in hours.
My entire life felt like it had been rewritten overnight.
When I opened the front door, Ryan was standing in the living room.
He looked relieved.
“There you are.””
I forced a smile.
“Yeah.””
He studied my face.
“You talked to Daniel?””
I nodded.
“And?””
I sat down.
“It’s complicated.””
Ryan sat beside me.
“Emma, tomorrow is our wedding.””
“I know.””
“We need to stop fighting everyone else and focus on us.””
I looked at him.
There was something different in his voice.
Something I couldn’t place.
“Ryan.””
“Yeah?””
“Were you worried about the wedding?””
He looked confused.
“Of course.””
“No. I mean the money.””
His face changed slightly.
Only for a second.
But I noticed.
“What?””
“You knew Daniel hadn’t paid?””
The silence answered before he did.
“I…”
My stomach dropped.
“Ryan.””
He looked away.
“I knew there was a chance.””
“A chance?””
“I talked to Daniel.””
I stood up.
“What?””
“Emma, listen.””
“When?””
“A few weeks ago.””
My voice became colder.
“What did you talk about?””
Ryan rubbed his hands together.
“He called me.””
“Why?””
“He wanted to make sure I understood something.””
“What?””
Ryan hesitated.
Then said:
“He was worried you were rushing into this marriage because you wanted a perfect family.””
I stared at him.
“And what did you say?””
“I told him I loved you.””
“That’s not what I asked.””
Ryan looked uncomfortable.
“Emma…”
“What did you say?””
He finally answered.
“I told him I would take care of you.””
A strange feeling crawled through me.
“Did Daniel give you money?””
Ryan’s eyes widened.
“No.””
Too fast.
Too defensive.
“Did he?””
He stood up.
“Why are you asking me like this?””
“Because everyone keeps knowing things I don’t.””
The room became silent.
Then Ryan’s phone buzzed.
He looked at it.
And immediately turned the screen away.
But not before I saw the name.
Michael.
My heart stopped.
“Why is my father texting you?””
Ryan froze.
And then he said something that made my blood run cold.
“Emma…”
He swallowed.
“I need to explain something before tomorrow.””
I stared at him.
“Before tomorrow?””
May you like
He nodded slowly.
“Because if you find out from someone else, you’ll never forgive me.””
