110 — MICHAEL O’NEIL (POV)

Elisa and I met during the darkest period of my life.
And she seemed like a light that brought warmth back to my body... It was a single night that changed my whole life... a memory I cherish, even though it reminds me of my powerlessness, of how I was a puppet in my parents’ hands.
We talked about the past, about our pain. Elisa understood me; she also had lost the people she loved most. A lonely soul, but one who had learned to live in solitude, and her fire of life brought warmth to my body, to my soul.
Elisa gave me everything I could ever want without me even dreaming of it.
But my life wasn’t mine. Everything I was, had, and should be belonged to my family, to their whims. It was always my father’s absolute decree, my mother’s narcissism. What matters is the power obtained by influence, by the old money that moves this world. Everything perfectly aligned with the gears of society, just as my family wanted — an old family, old customs, and suffocating traditions that I fit into without even questioning.
Jacob questioned them. He faced all the consequences of his desires with his chest up, and he inspired me. No wonder losing him turned my world upside down, and I fled to finish killing myself in an overdose of stimulations: drugs, alcohol, money spent in casinos, and prostitutes. I sank deeper and deeper into grieving until Elisa appeared in my life. A single day really changed everything.
She saved me just by crossing my path.
More than her body, what I remember was the heartfelt laughter we shared that night... the smiles, and the natural intimacy that was born between us. A living soul and an empty body, she was able to fill me up somehow.
But I knew, she knew — the future didn’t belong to us, no matter how much I secretly wished it did. I can’t say that I loved her because I’ve never had that feeling for any woman, but the one day by her side was more genuine and pleasurable than sixteen years of a failed engagement.
Kristen was the bride my parents wanted, the perfect cog in their wheel. Spending more than a decade by her side wasn’t unbearable because pleasing was one of her greatest qualities, but I didn’t love her. I also think she didn’t love me because love means nothing in this high society.
However, this all came crashing down when Julian showed up at my house seven years ago. He brought me the only thing I would truly love, a feeling like no other... *a father’s love.*
I knew.
I just knew.
I didn’t need a DNA, but I did. Not because I doubted Elisa, her letter, her years of suffering... But because I needed to break the gears.
And I don’t regret it one bit.
Even though my ties with the O’Neils have been completely severed and disowned, and my family despises me, the feeling is mutual. They bought Elisa’s silence and made me spend sixteen years without knowing my own daughter.
I missed her first words, her first steps. Her presentations at school, so many birthdays and parents’ days... I missed everything.
And all because Elisa and my daughter didn’t fit into the plan they had made for my life.
That’s why I decided — I wouldn’t do the same with Angelee. No matter what happens, I won’t impose my will on her, I won’t force her to follow my choices, my desires... I’ll leave her free to make her own decisions, even if one of them rips my chest apart.
To be honest, I already knew that my daughter had a crush on Julian. The first time I noticed it was some time after I moved into this apartment. I thought that living in a villa far away wouldn’t do her any good, so I bought an apartment next to Julian’s. I spent twice as much for it, thinking it would be good to keep them close since she seemed to trust him. I guess I always contributed to things getting to that point, and I didn’t see it. *No, actually, I didn’t want to accept it.*
I always thought it was a silly crush, a teenage thing. Julian didn’t show any interest or second thoughts about her, and he was always busy with women. Honestly, I don’t know at what point it changed, but I do remember something specific — the trip to Spain.
Julian was disturbed, so disturbed that he was always drunk. His behavior became unpredictable and irresponsible. But something changed, something I noticed but should have paid more attention to... The fact that Julian never had a fling with any brunette anymore. His dates were always blondes with light eyes, a sudden change of preference. I used to think that a brunette had broken his heart, but now I see that there was a deeper and much worse reason.
Now I’m devastated.
It’s hard to accept that my daughter is having a relationship with my best friend, the boy who ran after me and who I remember being born. Julian may be younger than me, but he still has a big age gap with Angelee. And it’s not just the age that bothers me, but the fact that Julian has never taken anyone seriously. He’s someone with so many experiences, while Angelee has only ever had one boyfriend who cheated on her.
I really can’t help but feel worried, afraid, angry, betrayed. Julian has been by my side for so long; we’ve been through waves and storms together. We built the dream he inherited, but we paid a heavy price, especially Julian.
I want them both to be happy, I really do, but I’m scared for my daughter and for Julian, who are so different and yet manage to fit in perfectly; it’s always been like that. I confess I was envious of the way they got along. I also wanted to be a close friend she could count on, trying to make up for all my years of absence, but I could never compete with Julian. And I knew why, I always knew.
Angelee has always loved him, and now she’s pursuing that feeling.
I’m kind of proud of her.
And I’m also proud that Julian is falling in love, finding someone irreplaceable... But did it really have to be my daughter?
I sigh, taking a sip of my beer and staring up at the city’s night sky again. Honestly, I hate this gray scenery... maybe I should go back to my villa.
“Dad?” Angelee’s voice sounds sweet and yet fearful. She cried in my arms and apologized, but she’s still nervous, probably thinking that I’m still upset with her. I am, but not with her.
“Yes, sweetheart?” I ask, without taking my eyes off the scenery. It’s funny how my mind wanders and takes different paths all of a sudden, making me completely lose concentration...
“I just wanted to tell you something.” She approaches slowly, looking down at her own restlessly moving hands.
“You can tell me anything.” And it’s true... if she’d told me that from the start, I probably wouldn’t be so angry and disappointed.
Angelee raises her eyes, and I hold my breath. She looks so fragile, just like that day seven years ago when she could barely look at me.
It puts a lump in my throat.
“I wanted to apologize for how things turned out... Julian is your best friend; you have every right to feel betrayed but don’t be so hard on him... I’m also to blame for what happened, so if you want to take your anger out on him, you should take it out on me too.”
I sigh, running my hand over my face, through my hair. “You’re saying that. But do you really want me to fight with you?”
She purses her lips. Of course, she doesn’t.
I get away from the balcony and walk over to her, who is now face down, staring at her own feet.
“You’re my daughter. I’m not going to turn my back on you. I’ve been away too long, Angelee, and I promised I wouldn’t leave your side anymore, didn’t I?”
She nods, still with her head down.
“If you want to go through with it, go ahead. I won’t try to stop you. It won’t be easy or *interesting* to see you two together, but I’ll deal with it somehow. I just need some time.”
“Why do you go to such lengths for me, Dad?” She lifts her face, looking at me apprehensively.
Because I owe you — and Elisa... And if it’s necessary for me to overcome my pride and my feelings to keep a smile on your face, I will.
“You’re my daughter.” *That’s all I say.* These thoughts of mine don’t need to reach anyone else.
Fortunately, it seems to be enough because she smiles and hugs me again, tightly, just as she did seven years ago when she was still fragile.
“You know what, Dad?” She says, without letting go of me. I look down, but I can’t see her face. “You’re the best dad in the world, and I’m very lucky to have you.”
Her words stun me, and I feel my eyes sting...
“Thank you for everything you’ve done for me.” She says, hugging me tighter. “I love you, Daddy.”