Ace Killian

chapter 13: The Blame

Naomi's P.O.V

"Yes, it's me honey I'm glad you remembered," his warm smile felt like a knife twisting in my stomach.

I was going to be sick.

"Umm, Naomi, I think we should go," Stacy said quickly, her hand wrapping around my arm as she tried to guide me away.

we turned to leave, but is grip shot out, strong and desperate, yanking me back.

"No, wait  - Naomi. Please." his voiced cracked. "I know what I did was wrong, but I was in such a bad place. we needed the money. just ... give me another chance" 

i looked at him through the blur of my tears, my chest tight with rage and heartbreak.

"Another chance? are you kidding me?" my voice broke into sobs. " You sold your own daughter for money. You gave me away like I was nothing! how could i ever forgive you?"

he flinched, hurt flashing in his eyes.

"Please let me make it right" he whispered.

 I wipe my tears with shaking hands and turned, determined to walk away.

"HOW IS HE TREATING YOU" his shout ripped through the air, freezing me mid-step. Heads turned.my heart dropped.

"Mr. Killian...how is he treating you?"

my blood ran cold. he knew Ace? 

"He promised he'd protect you. " My father continued, his voice softer now, desperate. "He swore you'd be his, that I couldn't contact you at all. it broke your mother's heart when I told her" 

my breath caught "What..." my voice trembled "where... Where is my mother?" 

"Naomi" he said slowly, like a warning.

"Where is she" I demanded, dread crawling at my throat. I already knew the answer, but I needed to hear him say it.

"She died" his face fell. "You leaving - it broke her. she spiraled into drugs, alcohol...she couldn't bear it"

pain ripped through me like fire. "I didn't leave! I was taken! taken because of you!" 

he put his hands up in retreat of his words.

" Okay, okay ... but either way, it destroyed her. "

he stepped closer, lowering his voice. "She was always weak"

i froze, fury boiling in my veins. my eyes locked onto his, burning with hatred.

"I hate you!"

his hand struck across my face, sharp and stinging. Gasp erupted around us.

"Naomi " Stacy screamed, covering her mouth in shock

jake lunched forward, but i raised my hand to stop him. I wanted this moment. everyone was seeing him for what he truly was.

"You should be grateful! my father snarled "I saved you from our past life. We were broke, we were going to lose the house"

my sobs tore out of me like knives. "We were broke because of you!! You couldn't put down those dame bottles, you couldn't stop gambling. mom begged you but you never listened. you were selfish" 

his faced paled, his body stiffening like my words had pierced through his armor. He looked down, defeated.

"I'm the reason you're not dead" he whispered

then his voice hardened, venom lacing his words. "your lucky i didn't sell you to men who would of used you until there was nothing left. i gave you to Killian because I knew he'd keep you alive."

my stomach turned. i shook my head in disbelief.

"What do you want? a thank you?  for selling your own daughter to a stranger"

tears blurred my vision.my voice broke as i hissed "How did mom ever end up with you" 

for a brief moment, guilt flickered across his face. but it vanished just as quickly.

i sighed, my heart breaking all over again - not just for me, but for my mother, who had wasted her love on him. She had stayed, hoping i wouldn't grow up fatherless. but she had paid for the mistake with her life.

"I'm sorry mom." i whispered inside.

i looked at him one last time "goodbye... dad"

I turned to walk away Stacy and jake hurrying after me.

"Naomi ,are you okay? " she asked breathlessly, but my mind was miles away.

After not being outside in so long, i thought shopping might give me a sense of normal. instead, id been forced to face the man who ruined my life.

why today? why now?

...

back at the villa, i locked myself in my room. the weight of everything crashed down.my mother was dead. Ace had known my father all this time. The betrayal, the loss, the shame -it was to much. I cried until my body had no more tears left to give.

Stacy offered to stay close, in order to comfort me but i asked for space. I needed time. Time to process. Time to breath.

by night fall i sat by my window, staring at the dark sky.my chest ached with questions that had no answer.

how was i supposed to deal with this?

hearing footsteps downstairs and a deep murmur of a voice. I recognized it as Ace.

finally, home.