Regrets

Part 15.

Aaron was regularly calling Rose and leaving voice notes begging her to give him a chance to explain his side.

Rose, your mother and I had issues. We were not happy with each other. The problems between us should not affect our relationship. Please speak to me once. I miss my daughter badly.

Rose's mobile was flooded with texts from her dad. She was so confused. A little corner of her heart wanted to forgive her father. After getting permission from her mum, she invited her dad to meet him. Aaron flew down to America and visited Rose at her apartment.

Rose invited her Dad inside.

Aaron hugged her and cried for a long time." I missed you, princess."

"Dad, why did you cheat on Mum?"

"Rose, I never know when and how I fell in love with Marissa"

"Dad is that love, or has she tricked you?"

"Oh God! No, Rose. I have felt different emotions with Marissa which I never felt with your mum. It is not like I abandoned your Mum. I wanted to support her even after the divorce."

"Dad, why divorce so late after more than 20 years of togetherness?"

"Rose, I was young when I married your mum. Then we had Zack and You. I felt I was always bound by responsibility, not love. Now I want to live my life for myself. Is this too much to ask?"

He was crying in front of his daughter. Rose had never seen her dad in such a vulnerable state.

"Tell me one thing, Rose. Have I ever not loved you? Did I back away from my responsibility as a father?"

"No Dad" Her dad always loved her no matter what.

"Rose, give me a chance please."

"Tell me one thing Dad, if I marry someone and years later he says that he never loved me, how would you feel?"

"Rose, please. You will never go through that. Your mum and I were very young, and I was not ready for commitment, but I still managed well all these years.

I would have stayed with your mum but would have died with regret that I did not give myself a chance. Marissa makes me happy"

"Dad, Mum also loved you very much. Was her love not worth it?"

"Rose, I love and respect your mum, but I was miserable. If I had stayed with her, I would have turned abusive because of frustration."

"Dad, what do you want from me to play a happy family and welcome Marissa with open arms?"

"Rose, I do not want anything. I just want my daughter. Marissa is an important part of my life and I just want you to be civil with her."

"Did your mum say anything?"

"Mum does not like talking about you, and she said that she will not interfere between you and me"

"Rose, if she needs anything, I am always there for her. I am not her husband anymore, but I will support her forever."

Rose had tears thinking about Heather. She deserved someone who loved her.

"Dad, I cannot lose mum again. Please do not bother her"

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing"

"Rose, Is Heather alright?" he hugged his daughter and asked her in a worried tone.

"She is now. Mum attempted suicide, Dad," Rose cried in her dad's arms.

"Oh God! When did it happen? I am a fool. I should have dealt this other way."