Married to Mr. Reid

Chapter 20

Isaac

"Sure... I intend to tell you everything today" came dad's reply, he rubbed both his hands together for a second before placing them on the table and then continued from where he left off.

"Amber is four years younger than Isaac that's why I waited for them both to become adults before meeting each other but Amber was happy with someone else and I was happy for her... though that happiness was short lived, soon after Tyler died Amber went into depression, she wasn't talking to anyone, she completely closed herself off, and that was when Robert suggested that we try to arrange your marriage with Amber but sadly, even Robert left me, his death was like a punch in the gut to me and I really wanted to do what's right by him and his daughter" dad looked at me and I just gave him a small nod, I knew he had more to say.

"I'm sorry but that was one of the biggest mistakes I have ever made, I never once thought if Amber or you would ever be happy with marrying under such circumstances.... I knew Robert had already told her everything and I also know the only reason she agreed to this marriage was because she loves her father and she wanted to make him proud even when he's not around. I was being selfish, I took advantage of her vulnerable state of mind, I thought she's the one who would finally make Isaac happy and I took the opportunity of her father's funeral to directly ask her if she'd be happy to marry you, I knew she wouldn't say no, not when the memory of her father was so fresh in her mind, and I knew Isaac wouldn't let me down, I knew if I insisted him he'd definitely marry her and that was one of the biggest mistakes I have ever made" tears rolled down his cheeks uncontrollably as he tried to wipe them away with the back of his hand.

I hadn't realised that I too was crying, this man had done everything he can to see me happy, I can never be mad at him for this, it hurts to know that he arranged all this in such a way and never told us but at the end of the day, he was just trying to seek happiness for his son.

I stood up from my seat and went to stand beside my father, offering my handkerchief to him "Dad it's okay... it hurts a little to know that you kept us in the dark, up until now I used to think that the reason you arranged my marriage to Amber was because you pitied her, I thought that it was because his father had died that you thought she's your responsibility now but I was clearly wrong".

Taking the handkerchief in his right hand my dad looked up at me with pleading eyes "Thank you so much for understanding Isaac, I do feel a certain sense of responsibility towards Amber now that Robert is not here anymore but trust me I wouldn't have made you marry her if I didn't feel so strongly about her being the right life partner for you... I'm sorry for taking away your right to choose your own life partner, I'm sorry that you have to suffer because of me but I've decided now... you and Amber should get a divorce as soon as possible, I can see how she's suffering and I can't do this to her, I can't do this to Robert... and most importantly I can't do this to you" he reached out to touch my cheek lovingly with tears beaming down his face.

The restaurant staff must be having a gala time seeing two grown men cry.

"Dad there's something I need to tell you... me and Amber, we have already decided to get divorced after six months" I sighed, the situation I was in right now was pretty awkward.

His expression changed into one of confusion and then shock but he eventually understood, giving me a silent nod of approval.

"I got lost in the moment, this is not the time or place to discuss such personal matters" he gave a nervous laugh and just like that he was back to being his professional self.

"Indeed" I nodded and then my eyes landed on Ethan, he was listening to everything me and dad have said very intently but I can't tell how he felt about the entire situation.

"We should head home" I announced.

"I agree, I have a lot to think about" Ethan said pushing his chair back and standing.

"Thanks for the lovely evening" his eyes were focused on dad but dad didn't utter a single word, after giving me a quick glance Ethan walked away leaving me and dad behind.

The day couldn't have gotten any weirder, Ethan is usually very calm, collected and easy going, he understands these kinds of situations more than I do but here he was acting all strange.

"Don't mind him" I said placing a hand over my dad's and he nodded before saying "I understand he's upset and he has the right to be... I just hope that with time he understands where I'm coming from".

"He will dad, don't worry" I assured him. After paying the bill I made sure to drop dad off safely and then went back to my own home feeling like I've lost a battle. I was wrong, I was so wrong about her and I felt guilty, extremely guilty for the way I've treated her.

I don't know how I feel about this whole situation now that dad has given us permission to get divorced right away, I should be happy but I don't feel that happiness within me, I'm weighing my options now when from the beginning all I've ever wanted was to get rid of her. Maybe it's because of the guilt I feel towards her or maybe it has something to do with what dad said earlier tonight, his belief in her and the tiny flicker of sadness I saw in his eyes when I told him about my agreement with Amber