Chapter 32: Chapter 32

Chapter 0032 Chapter 0032 “That’s understandable,” my father said. “You’ve been through a very difficult experience.”

I nodded in agreement. “Has your investigation uncovered anything?” I asked hopefully.

“No much,” he admitted. “We’re going to keep looking. I won’t allow anyone to harm my family and get away with it.”

“I know you won’t,” I said, leaning into his side. “I know you’ll always keep Mom and me safe.”

“I’ll do whatever it takes,” he said, and I could hear how frustrated he was.

I couldn’t imagine what it felt like for him to realize what had happened–that we had been in immediate danger and that David’s failure to act had put us all at risk. The fact that my father had contained his anger and allowed David to walk away was impressive.

He always showed such self–control and intelligence, even in the face of an emergency. I didn’t have that kind of self–control, but I knew I would have to try to learn it. I couldn’t act like a spoiled little girl any longer.

“Is there anything I can do for you?” he asked.

“No, I’m okay,” I said, smiling in a way I hoped would reassure him. “I’ll be down for dinner tonight.”

He looked relieved to hear me say that, but I could tell something was still bothering him.

“What’s on your mind?” I asked. He took a deep breath, then turned to look me in the face.

“Are you sure that you still want to marry David?” he asked.

I was taken off guard by his question. For a moment, I wished I could tell him the truth about everything–that I didn’t want to marry David, that David was plotting against us, that the only thing he wanted from me was our family’s land and reputation to gain power for himself.

But I knew I couldn’t tell him all of that. Even if he did believe me, it would only complicate things further. He wouldn’t be able to act on such a crazy story, and it would only put him in a more difficult situation.

“I know that he didn’t handle the situation well,” I said, choosing my words carefully. “But it would be a rash decision to pull out of the engagement.”

“I’m not worried about the money,” he said firmly. “I’m worried about my little girl’s happiness. If you want of this marriage, you need only say the word, and I will make sure it happens.”

I felt tears well in my eyes, and I threw my arms around him, bugging him tightly. He rubbed my back soothingly.

“You only need to tell me what you want, Ella.”

What I wanted was for David to pay for everything he had done in the past, and everything he was planning to do to us now.

I wanted him to pay for taking my father away from me.

“It makes me feel so much better to know that I have your support,” I said. “It is a difficult choice, but I need you to trust that I know what I’m doing.”

He pulled back from the hug so he could look me in the face “Ella, I have always trusted your judgment,” he said sincerely. “Your mother and I have raised you to be an intelligent and capable young woman. I know you will do what you believe is right, and I trust you’ll ask for help if you ever realize you’ve made a mistake.”

12 Chapter 0032 “I will,” I promised him.

+25 BONUS I knew I could trust my father. He had always given me everything I could ever ask for, and if I went to him and explained that I’d made a terrible mistake, he would do everything in his power to help me. I could turn to him in the middle of the marriage ceremony and tell him I’d changed my mind, and I knew he would still be on my side.

That was all the more reason I had to see this through. I had to make sure my father wouldn’t be punished for my poor choices.

It was too late to prevent myself from getting involved with David, but it wasn’t too late to stop him from enacting his horrible plans.

“I have it all under control,” I said.

+25 BONUS Chapter 0033