Once, my paranoid love

“What happened to him? Where did that guy take you guys?” The words tumbled from my lips, coated in a layer of concern that I couldn’t suppress. The recent events had stirred a maelstrom of questions within me, each one a puzzle piece that refused to fit into the bigger picture. My worry for my father’s well-being heightened my anxiety, threatening to overwhelm me.

Anne’s response, or lack thereof, only fueled my suspicions. I knew my dad’s dedication to his work and his unwavering commitment, which often consumed him. The mention of money in the midst of it all was a discordant note, a jarring element that seemed out of place in the world I knew.

Her disregard for my question left me frustrated and impatient. “You should ask your dad. I think he will tell you,” Anne’s voice held a hint of finality as she turned to leave my room. Her words felt like a door slammed shut, shutting me out of the truth I so desperately sought.

I didn’t linger in my room for long. Determination surged within me, propelling me out of the confines of the space that had become a cage of uncertainty. I hurried down the stairs, my footsteps echoing the urgency in my heart. I needed answers, and I was ready to demand them.

From the second floor, I spotted Anne and my dad together in the drawing room. The sight of them, heads bent in conversation, fueled a mixture of frustration and resolve. I had to know the truth, no matter how unsettling it might be.

Without hesitation, I made my way to the living room, my strides purposeful and resolute. The weight of my questions bore down on me, yet I refused to let fear or doubt hold me back. That was my family, my reality, and I deserved to understand the shadows that had cast their pall over us.

As I approached, their voices became audible, the hushed tones making my heart race even faster. My dad’s expression held a weariness I had rarely seen, while Anne’s demeanor seemed calm.

I stepped forward, my presence a sudden interruption. Both of them turned their attention toward me, their gazes meeting mine with a mixture of surprise and apprehension.

“Dad,” I began, my voice steady despite the swirling emotions within me. I walked up to him, his smile welcoming me as I approached. “Love, come here,” he said, his tone gentle. “Did you change your mind about resting?”

I looked into his eyes, searching for the truth that I knew lay beneath the surface. Despite his smile, there was a shadow that darkened his gaze-a pain that he was attempting to mask. It was as if he was carrying a weight that he couldn’t fully conceal.

“Yes, but I came to spend some time with you.” I hesitated for a moment and then sighed softly. “Dad, something’s been bothering me. I spotted a man yesterday. He said something about money. What’s going on?” My words hung in the air, and the tension between us was palpable.

His smile wavered, and for a brief moment, a flicker of vulnerability passed over his features. He sighed, his gaze dropping for a second before meeting mine again. “Elena,” he began, his voice heavy with a mixture of regret and resignation, “it’s nothing, dear. He was my partner.”Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

“Partner!” I exclaimed, my voice infused with a mix of determination and concern, as I looked at my father. His eyes met mine, and for a fleeting moment, I saw a hint of vulnerability, a crack in the armor he had built around himself. I knew he wasn’t telling me the whole truth.

“Dad,” I said, my voice soft but resolute, “what happened? Tell me.”

His hand twitched slightly, a subtle reaction that didn’t escape my notice. I reached out and held his hand, my grip gentle yet firm, a silent reassurance that I was here to listen and to support him through whatever storm he was facing.

“Baby, I lost everything,” Dad admitted after a few moments, his words heavy with defeat. The weight of his confession settled over us like a dark cloud, and my heart skipped a beat. “What?” I asked, the word a mere whisper of disbelief.

The man before me, my father, a figure of strength and stability, had just uttered words that shattered the illusion I had held onto. His confession resonated with a vulnerability I had never witnessed in him before. The shock of his admission sent ripples through the foundation of my understanding.

My father had always been deeply attached to his work; his dedication was unwavering. To hear that he had lost everything was a blow that struck at the core of his identity. I could see the frustration etched across his features-a storm of emotions that he had kept hidden for far too long.

A rush of empathy flooded through me, mingling with the shock that had initially gripped me. I tightened my grip on his hand, a silent gesture of solidarity. “Dad, I’m here for you,” I said, my voice unwavering. “We’ll find a way through this together.”

‘I need to stay strong or else I can’t handle him.’

“Don’t worry, dad,” I assured him, my voice soft yet determined. “We’ll work it out together. Everything will be back to normal.”

His eyes, heavy with the weight of his troubles, met mine. His sad smile held a mixture of gratitude and resignation. With a slow, sorrowful nod, he contradicted my hopeful reassurance. “There is just one way left, baby.”

My heart sank at his words, and a knot of anxiety formed in the pit of my stomach. The gravity of his statement hung in the air, a cloud of impending decisions that would alter the course of our lives. I searched his eyes, my own filled with concern. “What about, dad?” I asked, my voice trembling slightly.