67

AUDREY

“I’m sorry, Audrey,” Charles apologized, his eyes concerned.
“I’ll deal with you later, Charles,” I dismissed, and he excused himself, giving us a space to talk. I set my eyes on my annoyingly fine-looking father—or so I thought. He wasn’t my real dad, after all.
And so much for a dying man. He didn’t look sick at all. Maybe Anton was lying to me back then, too.
“So now tell me what you want to tell me because I won’t be staying here to mingle with you,” I went on.
I couldn’t let Gabriel wait for me for long anyway, and I had to go back before he’d suspect anything. It’d be much better to tell him about Charles and Dad when I get back.
“My darling girl, Audrey. You grew up into a fine young woman,” he praised, staring at my face and matching it with a fake smile. “You look very much like your mother!”
“Quit the chit-chat and get to the point. Tell me about my mother because it’s the only reason I’m here anyway. Just so you know, I don’t care why you are here.”
The father I’d known for almost my entire life would generally shout at me even if we were in a public place, but this time, he remained calm.
“I know it’s hard for you to accept this, but I wanted you to know that there’s a reason I was so angry and so bitter all the time. It’s because I found out the truth about you, and your mother lied to me, Audrey. By the time I married her, I didn’t know she was sleeping with someone else and got pregnant with you. I thought you were my kid, but she told me the truth before she left the world.”
“Okay.” I shrugged. “Fine. Is that all?”
He frowned. “Why don’t you seem surprised?”
“Because I know.” I nodded. “What else could it be? But should you have treated me like crap just because I wasn’t your real daughter? Do you really have to be a jerk to me? Was I so hard to love?”
“I know, I know I’m wrong. That’s why I’m sorry. And don’t say that. Your brothers and I love you so much.”
“Really? Maybe, yes, you loved me. As in the past tense. At least that’s what I felt before Mom passed away.” My eyes began to swell. “But selling me to marry Benjamin Scott? Where’s the love of that? You don’t love anyone but yourself.”
He reached for my hand, but I yanked it away.
“Audrey…”
“Don’t touch me!” I finally cried. “And how about those old habits and vices of yours? You made my mother’s house a gambling place!”
“I’m done with that part of my life, Audrey, believe me. That’s why I’m running for public office—to redeem myself. To make it up to you and Samuel.”
“So, you want my vote?” I smirked. “I can’t believe you. Fine, I’ll vote for you if that’s what you want. I’m guessing that’s the only vote you might get anyway, and that’d be less embarrassing.”
“I don’t want your vote.” He sighed sharply. “I want you back home to Phoenix and be by my side and help me find justice for your brother’s death. Look, I’m convincing Anton to come back home with his wife and—”
“You don’t get to use Samuel’s death here for your own gain, Dad! Anton has a new life now and is finally away from you, so please… just leave us alone. I don’t want to see you ever again. Let’s end this here now that I heard what I wanted to hear from you, and I have no father anymore.”
I stood up, but he harshly caught my hand and tugged me back. “You insolent child! How dare you—”
Dad stopped as another man was taller than he appeared and caught his arm as well. I gasped to see the angry face of Gabriel. I could almost hear the grinding of his teeth.
“Well, well. Isn’t this a déjà vu?” Gabriel cocked his head, picked up his hand, and shoved him away. “Get your fucking hands off her.”
“Gabriel!” I clasped my mouth.
My father’s face went pale, and he slumped back to the chair as if strength was shattered out of his body, but his gaze didn’t leave Gabriel.
I held on to his arm. “How did you find me?”
He responded with a dangerous glare but didn’t speak and shifted his eyes back at my so-called father.
“C-Cross?” he stuttered nervously. “Is that you?”
“Definitely a déjà vu,” he said. Gabriel was probably talking about his first encounter with Anton.
“No. It can’t be…”
“Yes, Hopkins. It’s me.” Gabriel flashed a devilishly derisive grin, enough for someone to crumble in fear. “In the flesh.”
“What’s going on—whoa!” Charles entered back into the restaurant and halted as he stood next to Gabriel. “Gabriel Stark.”
Both Dad and Gabriel shifted their attention to a surprised Charles Scott. Gabriel shot up an eyebrow.
“What? Gabriel Stark?” Dad repeated with a scowl.
“Yes, Audrey’s boss,” Charles informed my confused, so-called father. “I saw his photographs, and I met his brother once. I’m Charles Scott—”
Gabriel gritted his teeth. “I know who you are,” he cut him off, then he set his attention back to Edward Hopkins. “I’m not done with you, Hopkins.”
“You d-died…” he drawled, and I never saw my father terrified before. His face was as if he was vulnerable, which made him look smaller next to Gabriel, who was taller by a few more inches.
“Guess what? I didn’t.” Gabriel groaned, stepped closer, and clutched his shirt.
“How… How is this possible?” Dad studied Gabriel’s face, and his bewilderment went on. I couldn’t believe it myself at first. I guess that’s how I looked when I found out as well.
“I’m not done with you, Hopkins.” Gabriel grimaced and shoved him away. “Consider this your lucky day, but I’m not dealing with you here tonight.”
A middle-aged restaurant attendant later approached us.
“Is everything alright here, gentlemen?” he asked politely.
“It’s alright, Fred,” Gabriel assured him.
“Mr. Stark!” the attendant recognized immediately. “Is there something I can help with here?”
“No, thank you. We’re leaving.” He yanked my wrist tight and dragged me with him.