Delilah In Discretion | ✓ - DISCRETION SERIES BOOK #2

Prologue + Chapter 1 - Preview of Edited Version

Prologue

Twenty years ago, I wasn't prepared. Twenty years ago, I let you go. You were supposed to be a distant memory, something I'd forget with time.

But you've grown up. You've flourished into a beautiful woman. You found a better life with your aunt—or, should I now say, your mother. She took you in because I wasn't ready. I wasn't prepared for a daughter.

But she was supposed to fail. You were supposed to fail. Because you were a mistake. I've lived in your shadow. Waiting for the right time to present myself. And you never thought of me once... though I can't entirely blame you.

You were meant to be the failure, the mistake, the forgotten... but yet those words seem to fit me more these days.

Twenty years later, I didn't forget. Twenty years later, I've endured the suffering you were meant to face. But now, you will know the man who was meant to be your father, the man you were never meant to see.

Twenty years ago, I wasn't prepared. Twenty years ago, I let you go.

Twenty years later, I'm not going to make that mistake again. 

__________ 

Chapter 1

Fifteen Years Ago

Delilah's POV

"Archer, do you have anything to say for yourself!?" the headmaster bellowed angrily, and I flinched slightly in my seat as he banged on the desk.

Looking over at the two boys discreetly, I noticed Archer sitting emotionless, and the boy who had been grabbed by him and almost choked was sitting with an icepack against his throat. Playing with the edge of my skirt, I listened as Archer spoke.

"I didn't do anything wrong," was all he said, and the headmaster looked entirely enraged. He glared over at me, and after a moment, I gulped softly.

"Delilah, what happened? Other students say they witnessed Neil throwing things at you. Is this true?" he asked, and I bit my lip nervously, feeling the boys' eyes glaring at me.

My hands felt sweaty as one set of eyes wanted me to lie and the other... the other ones dared me to. And I knew better than to make him upset.

Playing with my hands to ease my nerves, I spoke.

"I-It's true," I whispered, and the headmaster sighed.

"How long has this behavior been going on?"

I rubbed my arm nervously as I whispered, "Since the first day of school."

I no longer felt the eyes on me. The headmaster looked over to Neil, who was now avoiding any eye contact. I gave Archer a quick side glance to see him glaring even more at the boy he grabbed by the collar.

Feeling a paper ball hit my head, I quickly picked up the paper ball and discreetly hid it from Kimiko, my best friend. If she saw what was thrown, or who threw it, I knew things would only go downhill.

Feeling another ball hit my head, I sighed in frustration.

Before I had a chance to respond, a loud sound echoed through the room, drawing the attention of the entire class. We all turned to see Archer standing from his chair, his desk pushed onto the ground.

My heart raced as he glared daggers at Neil, who was frozen in his seat.

"Archer—" Ms. Dawn began, but she gasped as Archer roughly grabbed Neil's collar, violently yanking him out of the chair and pulling him closer.

"Go ahead... Throw another one. I dare you to."

I didn't know whether or not to appreciate the gesture or cower away from it altogether. It was just a few rolled-up paper balls. Well, more than a few... but I didn't want to make a big deal about it.

"Neil, this behavior is not tolerated at Highland Bridge Academy. Bullying of any sort will not go unpunished. Delilah and Archer, you are dismissed. Return to class. Delilah, we will inform your parents of the incident, and Archer, your parents will receive a phone call to discuss your aggressive behavior. Neil, your parents will be called in for a conference regarding the bullying. You'll stay here for the meantime."

Nodding slowly, I stood from the chair and walked over to the door. My hands grew clammy as I stepped into the hall. I gulped softly, and the door closed behind me after a moment. Silently, I made my way back to class as his footsteps followed mine.

"Not even a thank-you, Princess?" he asked, and I paused in the middle of the hall. He walked closer, and I turned around to see him only a few feet away.

"It's not like you're any better," I whispered, and he tilted his head. For a six-year-old in first grade, Archer absolutely terrified me.

He was mean, stubborn, overprotective, and scary at times... the only difference between him and Neil was that he believed he had a right to bully me. Almost like he was the only one who was allowed to torment me.

"And you're so tough, right? You could have handled this all on your own, huh?"

"I can take care of myself," I whispered, and he walked over slowly as I took a small step back, wishing I had just left and gone back to class without worrying about him.

"Well, it doesn't look like it. What I see is a pathetic, silly little girl who always needs someone to protect her."

"I'm not silly," I whispered, tears coming to my eyes.

He didn't say anything. I tried to keep my bottom lip from trembling, but it was useless, as a tear slipped down my cheek. He looked at me for longer before his face grew angry. He walked towards me and hit my shoulder as he went past.

"Whatever. Don't come crying to me when you need help later."

More tears came to my eyes as my throat felt like closing up. A small sob escaped as I tried my best to hide it, and I quickly attempted to wipe the tears from my face.

Archer stopped at the end of the hall for a moment as I sniffled softly and walked over to the girls' bathroom.

Before I could open the door, his hand grabbed my arm, and I looked at him with tears in my eyes as he looked down at me sadly. I made a move to pull my arm away, but he only pulled me closer to him, ignoring my attempts to get away.

"Let me go!" I cried helplessly, and he only ignored me as he wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into his hold. He sighed as I tried pushing him away, but ultimately, I stopped as I simply cried on his blazer, overwhelmed by Neil, by the bullying, by him. It was all too much.

"I'm sorry, Princess," he muttered, but I didn't say anything as I wiped the tears from my now rosy cheeks.