The Ones Who Saved Us

Chapter 51

Avalee's POV

I held Arya's hand as Papa drove us to meet her father. Alessandro was in the front, turning back to check on us every now and then. He had already reassured Arya that if her father didn't support her that she could move in with us, although he had made it clear that she would be staying in a room as far away from me as possible.

Papa pulled up to the coffee shop where we would be meeting Mr. Reddy. He turned around to face us, placing his hand on Arya's knee. "No matter what happens here, you'll always have our support," Papa said. "Blood isn't everything, sweetheart. If he doesn't accept you, then that's his loss."

Arya nodded, but I could tell she didn't quite believe it. It was one thing that her mom didn't accept her; Arya never really thought she would. Her relationship with her mom was strained as it was, and Arya being gay was simply the last straw that broke the camel's back.

But with her dad, it was different. She always described their relationship as being the same person but two different bodies. Their music taste was the same, their humor, their personalities. If today didn't end well, Arya would feel as if she had lost her other half.

I squeezed her hand and led her out of the car. She stopped me before we could reach the doors. "Ava, I don't know about this. Maybe it's too soon. Your brother said I could live with you—"

"Amore, you need to do this," I urged. "Your father already knows and wants to speak with you. Maybe I'm just optimistic, but if he called you for lunch, then I honestly don't think he'll yell at you like your mom did. He just wants to have a conversation."

"And if he does yell?"

I kissed Arya's forehead, hugging her tight. "Then I'll yell right back and take you home."

"Okay," she said, pulling away. "How do I look?"

"Like the prettiest girl in the world."

I took Arya's hand and gently led her inside. Alessandro and Papa followed close behind, deciding on getting a separate table while I went with Arya.

We soon spotted Mr. Reddy seated at a table with Naina at his side, three drinks in front of them. Mr. Reddy looked like he was exhausted, maybe from jet lag, dark bags under his red eyes. Naina had a solemn expression on her face, no doubt from having to deal with the aftermath of Arya being outed.

When we approached the table, the two of them looked up, Naina rushing to her sister and hugging her. "I'm sorry about Mom," she said. "I love you, Akka."

"I love you too," Arya said, a small hint of a smile on her lips.

Mr. Reddy stood up and pulled his daughter into a hug. "Hi, Bangaram. Your brother told me what your mother did. I'm so sorry I wasn't here to stop her. I love you, ra."

He then turned to me and said, "It's good to see you again, Ava. Thank you for taking care of my daughter during this hard time."

"It was my pleasure. I love her more than anything," I said, lacing my fingers through hers.

Arya's eyes were glossy with tears as we all sat down, touched by her father's words. Mr. Reddy pushed the untouched cup towards Arya, saying, "I got your favorite."

He then reached for a manila folder that was on the table, passing it to her. "I had Santosh Uncle write these papers up for me this morning." Arya opened the folder and pulled out the papers, her mouth widening when she read the large print on it.

Petition for Divorce.

"I—I never thought it would come to this, and I'm sure people in our family will lose it once they hear," Mr. Reddy said, "but I couldn't stand by and do nothing when I heard how she hurt you and the names she called you. I'll make sure to get full custody of you."