Chapter hundred and seventeen

Dallas

After a few minutes, or hours, I finally pulled myself together and picked up the small bag he left on the porch. I strolled back to the bedroom, dragging my feet on the wooden floor.

I sunk into the bed, staring blankly at the wall, my mind still reeling from today's event. I suddenly remembered to check the message I received earlier.

I wasn't surprised when I saw the text was from Ron. I've been expecting a text from him for a while now. The content of the message was brief and clear. He'd finally been able to get the location and wanted us to meet. An address was attached.

A sigh escaped my lips as I contemplated the meeting. After everything that had happened today, I wasn't sure I was ready to face what this meeting might entail. The thought of facing another nightmare was unnerving enough. But I didn't have a choice. I had to see this through.

I forced myself to stand up and dragged my feet to the bathroom. After tying my hair up, I stepped into the bathtub and let the warm water wash soothe my nerves

I didn't know how long I sat there just enjoying the warmth of the water and wishing my life wasn't so messed up.

But when I finally stood up, I felt better.
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I spotted Ron's car before I got down from mine. For what was supposed to be a secret meeting to spy on someone who was supposed to be dead, he wasn't exactly being secretive by his choice of vehicle.

I parked my car at the other side of the road, near an alleyway. I made sure it was well hidden from plain sight before getting down. I strolled towards the white Rolls Royce parked at the other side of the road.

As I approached, Ron emerged from the shadows, a small smile playing on his lips. I didn't bother to return his smile.

"You do realize this is supposed to be a secret meeting, right?" I said, trying to keep my tone light. "The man we're tracking is supposed to be dead."

Ron's smile grew wider, and his green eyes sparkled in the dim light. "Well, hello to you too, milady."

I found myself staring into his eyes, unable to look away. Those eyes were so familiar. They were the same eyes I saw every time I looked in the mirror. They were unmistakably mine.

I might have inherited my mother's hair and most of her features, but my eyes were undoubtedly my father's.

I tore my gaze away, not letting my thoughts wander further. I wasn't ready to confront the topic yet or the complicated emotions that came with it. I didn't want to believe it despite the evident staring right in my face.

"Have you seen him since you got here?" I asked, trying to steer the conversation back on track.

Ron nodded and pointed to a narrow road, “he crossed over to that side and hasn't returned. I've been waiting for him to come back out."

I gave him a simple nod. We stood there in the dark, an uncomfortable silence settled between us. I found myself fidgeting with my hands. There was so much we needed to discuss, but it seemed like neither of us knew where to start.

“What are you going to do when you finally see him?” He asked.

Several thoughts ran into my mind. I haven't really thought about what I was going to do when I saw him. I certainly can't hand him over to the police.

If he could manage to fake his death and evade capture for so long, then he wouldn't be foolish enough to let himself get caught. Besides, I wasn't sure if he was working alone now that his partner was in jail, or if someone was helping him.

I had the element of surprise the first time we confronted, I wasn't sure I'd be so lucky again.

It's not like I could kill him. I really wish I could. I hated him for everything he did to me and my mother. For all he put us through. But I couldn't take his life. Which leaves me with no options.

“I don't know.” I said truthfully.

Ron's eyes flickered with an emotion I couldn't quite make out. His eyes softened.

“If you want, I could have him locked up and make sure he never escapes. Or maybe make sure he gets a death sentence since he seem quite eager to die.”

I pondered on his words. They sounded like pretty good ideas, but I didn't want to take the risk. He might be my long lost father but I didn't fully trust him yet.

“No. It's not your revenge to take.” I said, my tone a bit sharper than I intended.

Something like hurt flashed across his eyes but I didn't care. I didn't mind the harshness in my tone. He certainly deserved it.

“I'm sorry.” He said, his voice barely above a whisper.

“For everything. I'm so sorry. I'm sorry for not being there for you. I'm sorry for what happened with Isabella. I'm sorry for…everything.”

The look on his face was sorrowful and he seem genuine. But it did nothing to calm the rage coursing through my veins.

Twenty five years. I spent twenty five years of my life without a Dad, while he was living halfway across the world with a beautiful wife and successful daughter. He enjoyed his perfect family and was content to let my mum and me suffer.

I didn't even let myself think further about his family. About how Jenna was my half sister. The same woman who was determined to ruin the man that I love. I still can't believe I share the same DNA with that woman.

Just thinking about it made my blood boil.

I gritted my teeth together, forcing the words out. I wasn't going to grant him the audience he desired. He doesn't deserve it.

“It's too late for apologies. Too much damages have been done.”

To think I lived in the same country with him for so many years and he didn't think to sort me out once.

I shut down the thought that he might not have known about me. If he could so easily find out about me now, he could have done the same years ago. He chose to abadon

“Let me make it up to you, Dallas, I promise I'll…”

“Do you even know how she died?” I cut in before he could finish his statement.

“She died by the hands of the man she thought would replace you in my life. She wanted a father for me and he murdered her in cold blood. He cheated on her for several years and then killed her.” I half yelled, my voice breaking as I spoke.

I didn't care that I had blown our cover. Didn't care about anything as I sobbed, the memories fresh in my mind.

“You abandoned us.” I mumbled through tears.

Ron's face hardened, but he kept his distance.
“I promise, I'll make them all pay. Everyone that was involved in our separation, I'll make them bleed for it.” He said, his voice so cold that I flinched despite my anger.

I regained myself and was about to yell at him some more when my phone rang. I tore my gaze away and fished out my phone.

I frowned when I saw Heather calling. It was pretty late and way past the time she usually falls asleep. The thought prompt me to answer the call.

“Heather?” I called.

“Dallas, I don't mean to scare you, bit something bad has happened.” She rushed her words, her voice sounding urgent.

My heartbeat skyrocketed as I thought of the million things that could have happened. I suddenly got a sick feeling in my stomach but I swallowed it down.

“What happened?”

Heather sucked in an audible breath from the other end before saying the words that made my world stop,

“Oliver's been in an accident.”