➼ Chap. 43

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L U C I A N O

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L U C I A N O

Tension coils tightly in my chest as I approach Richard's house. It's been a while since I last stepped foot here, but I need to come tonight. I can't watch Paris suffer anymore. With Paris at a sleepover, I seize the opportunity to confront Richard.

I don't want her to see this; she's already struggling, and I can't add to her pain. I ring the doorbell and when the door opens, Richard stands before me, his expression twisted with a fury that feels like it could knock the wind out of me.

"Get the fuck off my porch." Richard spits, already moving to slam the door.

I wedge my foot in the doorframe, stopping it.

"Not until we talk. You need to hear this."

"I don't need to hear a damn thing from you," he growls, his face red with anger. "Didn't I make it clear last time? I don't ever want to see your face here again."

"Yeah? Well, I didn't want to come here either," I snap, pushing past him. "But I had to, because you're being a complete asshole to your own daughter. She's losing it, Richard. All she wants is her dad, and you're shutting her out."

His face darkens, and his mouth twists in fury.

"You think you have the right to lecture me about my own daughter? You sneaky, backstabbing son of a bitch. You went behind my back, and now you're here playing the hero? You disgust me."

I grit my teeth, my fists clenching so hard it hurts.

"Yeah? Then hate me. Say whatever you want about me. Hell, I deserve it. But don't drag her down because of your damn ego," I say, taking a step closer, unflinching. "She's falling apart because of you—the one person she thought would always be there! She's crying herself to sleep every night, thinking she's lost her father, and you don't give a fuck!"

"Lost her father?" He scoffs, stepping closer, his eyes blazing. "She lost her father the second she decided to shack up with a man who could be her goddamn father! She threw our bond away for you—a man I trusted like my own blood. And you think I'm supposed to just look the other way?"

"You're her father, for God's sake!" I yell, my voice raw with fury. "Instead of being the support she needs, you're tearing her down! You're pushing her away because you're too fucking egocentric to accept our relationship!"

His face goes white with rage, and he steps closer until we're almost nose to nose.

"You're the selfish bastard here, Luciano. If you really cared about Paris, you'd walk away and let her have a chance at a normal life."

I let out a harsh laugh, stepping forward until I'm right up in his face.

"Normal? You really think she'd have a 'normal' life with a father who won't even let her love who she chooses? She loves you, Richard—she's begging for you to hear her out. But you're too damn stubborn to even consider it! She deserves so much more than your refusal to see her happiness. Your anger is suffocating her, and it's breaking my heart to watch."

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