I Care ~ Lando Norris

Chapter 26: Fading Echoes: Love's Farewell In The City Night

As Lando approached the door, a shadow crossed the threshold, and the familiar voice of my father echoed through the quiet apartment. "Isabella, let me explain."

The knocks on the door reverberated through the room, and Lando's cautious gaze met mine. The sense of dread hung thick in the air as my father's voice penetrated the quiet apartment, pleading for a chance to explain. How had he found us so quickly? Questions swirled in my mind, but amidst the uncertainty, a spark of determination ignited.

Lando's protective stance stiffened, a subtle shift in his demeanor that spoke volumes. As he reached for the doorknob, I caught his gaze, a silent exchange of understanding and shared apprehension. The door creaked open, revealing the figure of my father standing in the hallway, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that sent a chill down my spine.

"Isabella, please," he implored, a veneer of contrition in his voice. "Let me explain."

My jaw clenched, the memories of his past explanations still etched in my mind. I couldn't afford to let him disrupt the fragile peace Lando and I had found. The strength of Lando's presence by my side emboldened me, a reminder that I wasn't alone in facing this unexpected intrusion.

"Lando," I whispered, catching his attention. "I have a plan. Let me handle this."

His eyes, a storm of conflicting emotions, searched mine for reassurance. I nodded, a silent agreement that I had something in mind. The plan formed on the fly, fueled by a desperate need to sever the ties that bound me to a past I was determined to leave behind.

As Lando reluctantly stepped back, allowing my father to enter the apartment, I squared my shoulders, drawing from a well of resilience that had been tested through years of hardship. The room felt smaller, the air heavy with the weight of unresolved history.

My father's gaze flickered between Lando and me, a calculating expression that betrayed his attempt at discerning the nature of our connection. "Isabella, I know you're angry. But you have to let me explain."

I took a measured breath, a moment to gather my thoughts before responding. "Explanations won't change the past. I've moved on, and I won't let you disrupt my life again."

Lando's jaw tensed, a visible manifestation of the anger simmering beneath the surface. He had witnessed the emotional turmoil my father could incite, and the protective instinct to shield me from further harm flared within him.

"Isabella, I've changed," my father insisted, his tone pleading. "I want to be a part of your life again. I want to make amends."

The familiar script played out, a narrative I had heard too many times to be swayed by its words. "Make amends?" I scoffed, a bitter edge to my voice. "You abandoned us when we needed you the most. There's no amending that."

Lando, unable to contain his frustration, stepped forward. "She said she doesn't want to talk. You need to leave."

My father's gaze shifted to Lando, a flicker of annoyance crossing his features. "And who might you be? Her protector?"

"I'm the one who's here for her now, the one you should have been," Lando retorted, his voice laced with anger.

A tense silence settled in the room, the air charged with unspoken confrontation. I could feel the weight of Lando's protectiveness, a shield against the chaos my father threatened to unleash.

"I'm not leaving until Isabella hears me out," my father declared, his stubbornness unwavering.

Lando's eyes locked onto mine, a silent inquiry for guidance. I nodded subtly, signaling that it was time to set the plan in motion.