Between us

Chapter 19

"I want you to know the real reason why I forced you to marry Dominic." 

My heart stopped at those words. 

What?

"W-what do you mean by that?" I asked unsurely and Hawk began to cough uncontrollably. I gave him a glass of water to drink. He drank it gratefully, but he wouldn't stop coughing. Soon a nurse rushed inside and gave him an injection. His eyes began to close tiredly, and the nurse looked at me with a reassuring smile. 

"Don't worry Mrs. Storm, it's just a mild sedative to calm his heart down, he'll sleep through the whole day. But he'll be fine tomorrow." 

I nodded my head and breathed out slowly. "Thank you, uh-"

"It's Lisa."

"Thank you, Lisa." I said and left the room. 

I almost bumped into Nana on the way out of the room. "Oh dear, are you alright? You look a little flustered."

"Yeah, I'm okay, Nana. Where's Ryder?"

"He's outside speaking to the guards; he mentioned something about taking extra safety precautions." 

I smiled wearily. "Okay then, Nana. I'll be in Dad's study if Ryder asks where I am." 

Nana smiled knowingly; she knew that I needed some alone time. "Alright dear." 

I made my way to Hawk's study and inside I stood in shock. There was a huge portrait of Mom where she was busy playing the violin. She looked so happy, so lost in her own little world. In front of the portrait laid her violin on a chair, as if it were a display. I slowly went forward and picked it up to admire it. I closed my eyes and sighed happily as I remembered the first day she taught me how to play, I was just eight years old at the time. 

"Deep breaths, Charlie. And remember, let loose and let the music control your movements. Don't think now, just feel, and play." 

Those words echoed in my head and without even realizing, I've started to play the Massenet-Meditation from Thais. 

I got so carried away that I didn't even realize that Ryder was also in the study. He looked at me with a soft smile on his face and then I put the violin away.

"You should really play again." He said and I smiled. 

"You know I've been considering it to become a music teacher."

"The children would love you, even though you talk a lot." 

I laughed and went closer to him to give him a hug. "I love you, Ryder."

"I know."

                                                                               ~~~~~~~~~~~~

This morning I woke up early and went to see Hawk. 

"Goodmorning, Charlie." He said and sat more upright in the bed. He looked a bit better than yesterday.

"Goodmorning, Dad." I said and flash of pain hinted in his eyes. I was a bit confused and sat down at the end of the bed. 

"Did you sleep well?" He asked and I nodded. "Good, good. I know you're curious about what I wanted to tell you yesterday." 

"Yeah, you can't blame me to be honest." I said and he chuckled. 

"You're going to hate me for this, dear, but I had no other choice." He began and looked guilty, but I kept quiet so that he can continue. "Three years ago, I got in trouble with some very dangerous people. Real criminals. The boss's name is Black Badger." 

Black Badger, where have I heard that name before? I was still thinking about that name when Hawk continued. 

"I never saw his face, though, he always kept his identity a secret. I then panicked and turned to Dominic for help. I was grateful, but then he demanded to marry you. I refused firmly because I knew about his reputation, but then Black Badger continued to threaten me, so had no choice but to do what Dominic asked. I knew you would never agree, so I used your Nana to blackmail you."  

I just sat there, processing this whole information. "Dad? So, you're telling me, that I had to spend three miserable years with an abusive man just because you made some stupid business choices?" I asked softly, tears threatening to escape from my eyes. 

"Dear please, Black Badger would've harmed my family, our family." Hawk said with a pleading look on his face. 

"And you decided to sacrifice your only daughter so that you could continue to live a lavish life?" I accused him. I realize that I may sound childish, but my sadness was soon replaced with anger, and I had to let it out. I stood up and began pacing the room, taking deep breaths. 

Hawk was quiet and looked down ashamed, but that only ignited my anger more. 

"Why are you quiet, huh? Does the truth hurt? A father is supposed to protect his family, his wife and children, but you're too much of a lowlife that you couldn't even do that!" 

My words must've hit a sore spot, because Hawk's eyes widen with anger. "Shut up! Do you know how much I cared for you and Charlotte? I loved her very much!" His voice also got louder. 

"Then why did you kill her? Why did you kill my mother?! I know you did!" Our loud arguing attracted people to his room, but I didn't even bother to see who it was. 

"Because I found out that you're not even my real daughter! You're the daughter of some scum out there, and I had to raise you! You disgust me even more because you look just like Charlotte!" 

As soon as those words came out of his mouth, I felt numb. My breathing became shallow and then I felt a funny feeling in my stomach. I touched my stomach and Hawk looked at my legs. Pure regret flashed on his face, and I looked down in confusement. 

"P-Puppet?" I softly asked and in a split-second Ryder was next to me. 

"Charlie? What's wrong?!" He demanded, but I couldn't focus on him, all I could think of was this strange sensation I felt. He then picked me up and saw what Hawk was seeing. Horror was written all over his face. 

"W-What's wrong Ryder?" I numbly asked while I held him tight. 

"Nothing's wrong, love." He said with tears in his eyes and strode out of Hawk's room, carrying me tightly. 

Everything began to get darker before my eyes as he rushed with me outside the house. Why was Ryder acting this way? 

Before I could ask him what's wrong, everything became dark, and all I could hear was, "You better pray nothing happens to her or my baby, or I'll kill everyone!" 

                                                                                        ~~~~~~~~~~

A/n: Hey guys! 👋

Welcome back to another chapter of Between us. 

*I know, it's been a while...🙈 But I promise to update more often now that I got more free time! * 

This chapter...it isn't my favorite, but as you know by now...mad things are about to happen...😔

Q: What will happen to Charlie and Puppet? Will they be okay? And what will happen now that she knows the truth? And most importantly, what does Black Badger have to do with all this? Stay tuned for more action! ^_^

Please forgive any typos and please comment...and don't forget to vote! ;)

Kind regards and stay safe :)

A. Freeman

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