The Devil's Sweetheart

129

Two decades passed, the familiar face brought lots of memories. Not the sweet memories, though. If Heather hadn't seen him today, she wouldn't have remembered she has a father. Albert Steyer, her father.

The irony is that Heather can count in her fingers the number of times she utters the word, father. He has grown old, very old, and it seems with age, his influence also followed as she watched the number of people surrounding him. Heather can surmise the position he achieved today.

''I want the path cleared until my further orders.'' Heather heard him command, and within minutes, the surrounding traffic cleared, and to her surprise, no one complained. Power of a politician, she thought. Heather wondered what's his position because she was least bothered to check up on him even she had the chance to do so.

''I want to have a private conversation with my daughter,'' Albert spoke up, as his gaze shifted to the man standing next to his daughter before he turned to Heather.

''Sir, it's not safe-''

The personal assistant wanted to tell it's not safe to hop around without the guards, but Albert raised his hand, dismissing the thoughts. Despite the guards disappeared out of his sight, they were keeping a keen watch on him. Albert Steyer is no ordinary man. He is the Mayor of the city.

''How are you, my daughter?'' Albert asked with a smile, walking towards her. Albert saw a familiar face in the car while passing by, and he was the one who asked the driver to overtake. How long has it been he has seen his daughter? Two decades? He didnot have time to tend to his daughter with his busy political schedule. His wife passed away, leaving his daughter alone. He was glad the Kim family took care of her well.

Without replying, Heather walked up to Francis. Albert might be his father, but Heather hated him from every depth of her bones. ''Let's go, Francis. We don't have any work here. You will get late to the office.'' Heather whispered in a murmur, not bothered to care about the man seething in anger.

''Alright,'' Francis said, and with no empathy, he looked at Albert for one last time before he led Heather to the car. Not before he opened the door, Albert's words strung into their ears.

''Are you that desperate to get rid of your father who raised you?''

Heather stopped in her tracks and instantly turned her body facing Albert.

''Father?'' Her sarcastic smile carried a vibe of grief before her voice came out. ''Where were you when I was in grappling for life in the death bed? Have you ever once came to see me in the twenty years I was in the hospital bed? Where were you when my daughter has no mother and father by her side to take care of her, and you call yourself a father? Don't bring shame to such a beautiful relationship. I respect the father and daughter relationship, but I hate the fact that you are my father.''

''Heather! Watch your words.'' Albert raised his voice, assuming that it would scare her, but in actuality, it did not. Albert was thinking of mending their relationship today. How dare his daughter ignores her father? ''Disrespecting your father was not enough by divorcing your husband? You should be glad that I had set the things right before they went wrong. I gave you a beautiful married life, despite your scandal, but you ruined it-''

''I never asked for it. You threatened me. You forced me into that marriage which I never approved.'' Heather screamed, casting tears when the memories surfaced again.

Heather's words were a real revelation to Francis. His gaze instantly shifted to Heather; pain was the only emotion ardent in her eyes. Was she forced to marry Max? Francis held Heather's shoulders and looked into her eyes deeply. ''Is it true whatever you spoke now?'' Francis demanded. ''Tell me, Heather!''