Falling into Place - Forbidden Heart Series

17| Confessions & Revelations

"What are you doing here, dad? It's the middle of the night."

Damian Hale stood stoic in front of me. At six-foot-two he was a tall and built like a linebacker. He gave off that menacing vibe to people around him. Sure it was good for business, but I was used to it so it didn't affect me much.

"Are you going to invite me in, son? Or are we going to do this in the hall?"

I crossed my arms over my chest. "Why don't you just use your key."

Maybe I was being a smartass, but after everything I went through with this man, I couldn't help it.

My dad narrowed his eyes before nodding his head towards the door. "Inside, Ryan. Now. We need to talk."

Yeah, sure we did. I'll right right on that.

I cursed under my breath, sliding my key into the lock to open my door. I pushed it wide and mentioned for my father to go inside. I followed behind him, not caring that the door slammed.

He turned towards me with a scowl. "Haven't you any respect? Slamming doors? You're going to wake your wife."

Here we go again.

"Her name is Danielle. And she isn't here tonight."

He cocked a dark eyebrow at that. "Where has she run off to?"

"She didn't run anywhere, dad. She's spending time with her mom." I turned on my heel and started towards the kitchen. Whisky. I needed fucking whisky for this convo. "You see, dad, with her family, they actually like each other. They're understanding and compassionate. They show love." I downed the whisky. "Acceptance."

"Is that how this is going to go?" My father barked. "Are you going to stand there and point out my shortcomings? I molded you into the son you were meant to be. I wasn't soft with you, Ryan, and for good reason."

I frowned and started searching through the cabinets.

"What are you looking for?"

I turned towards him. "I'm looking for a Father of the Year mug for you. Must have misplaced it."

He came at me then, shoving his long finger in my face. "Don't take that flippant tone with me, Ryan. You've caused enough trouble as it is."

"That's hilarious, dad, really. What crime did I commit? Loving someone? Wanting to be happy?"

"We all have to make sacrifices--"

"And what sacrifices have you made? Nothing. You have it all. Oh wait," I snapped my fingers, "you did give up something. Like how to be a decent human being." I shook my head at my dad. How did he become like this? "You wanted me to marry someone I didn't love, dad. I wouldn't have been happy. You have no idea how it feels to be pushed into an arranged marriage with someone you barely know."

"I know exactly how that feels," he blurted. "Because it was done to me too!"

Suddenly time seemed to stop. The heavy silence following my father's confession saturated the air around us.

"What are you talking about, dad? You married mom--"

"It was arranged," he said quietly, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Your mother and I. . . It was an arranged marriage."

Dozens of thoughts and images of memories from my childhood zipped through my mind. And the questions? Fuck. I had so many fucking questions.

"Sit down, son. It's time we had a talk."

I walked in a daze to the dining room table where he sat at the head. I put a little space between us and sat two chairs down. We remained in silence for several minutes. Neither of us speaking. Neither of us looking at each other.