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.”

“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.”Têxt © NôvelDrama.Org.

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.