Twisted Rumours (Twisted series fanfiction #2)

24. SOFIA VOLKOV

My face lit up when my brother picks up my call after the millionth time, "Hey, Niko?"

"What?" His tone is flat, lacking his usual warmth. After the scene at Valhalla, he is extremely cold to me , as if he's still processing everything that happened. I can sense the tension between us, and it breaks my heart.

He is hurt that I refused to agree with him at the bar and saved Taehyung from him. He never wanted me to date Taehyung in the first place. Now, after everything that happened, I am giving him another chance, and my brother is upset that I'm not taking his side. I know it will take time for him to come around, but I hope he can eventually see things from my perspective.

"Are you free tonight?" I ask.

"Why?" Oh, I am getting tired of his single-sentence answers.

"We could have a dinner together," I say.

"No,I'm busy." He answers flatly and ends the call.

"Niko is angry with you again?" Dad asks from the couch .

"Yeah, he's still not happy about me giving him another chance," I reply with a sigh.

"He'll come around eventually," Dad reassures me.

"Hey dad?"

"Yes, little sushine."

"Am I doing right by giving him another chance?" I ask him because he is the only one who knows the details of what happened between me and Taehyung. I never meant to tell anyone, but he caught me drinking wine and sniffling on night , and I couldn't keep it in any longer.

I'm glad he didn't make a fuss out of it, as I feared. My dad respects my decisions; although he was angry, he kept it under leash and trusted me. He is protective but not overprotective of me . He knows I need to learn from my mistakes and make my own choices, even if they come with consequences. I appreciate his support and guidance more than anything.

"Little sunshine, come here." Dad pats the spot beside him on the couch.

I walk over and sit down, feeling grateful for his understanding and love. It's moments like these that remind me how lucky I am to have him as my father.

Dad wraps his arms around my shoulder and begins, "What are you feeling?"

"I feel confused, scared, and nervous. A part of me still wants to believe Taehyung is telling the truth, but another part of me is afraid of being hurt again. He was the best man I was with. And I want to be with him. But I don't trust him, not fully." I shudder and continue. " I don't know what to do, Dad. I'm torn between my feelings and my fears." Dad listens attentively, his comforting presence a source of strength in my moment of uncertainty.

"He claims that he said everything out of anger, dismissing me and our relationship. And I fear that even if I forgive him and we get back on track, maybe after ten years from now, he will break me again. I can go through this this time, but I won't if it happens again. Although he still makes me feel safe and secure. And sometimes, when I see him, I feel like running into his arms for a hug, but then I remember the pain he caused. I feel torn between the whispers of my heart and the logic of my mind, each pulling me in opposite directions. " I finish and feel dad stroking my hair fondly.

Dad sighs and then begins, "You know, I broke your mom's heart like this too. I also discarded her, telling her she was a good fuck but not worth my time. She went away, and you know what? When your aunt Bridget kicked my ass and I realized what she meant for me, your mother told me the same thing. She said, What if I break her after ten years?" I also broke her trust."

'Dad, how could you?"I mutter, unable to comprehend that my dad would have said that to mom, feeling a mix of disbelief and confusion.

"I'm so sorry, sweetheart. I was a different person back then," Dad says, his voice filled with regret. "Ava was light to my dark soul, and without her I was lost. She refused to give me another chance, but I persisted. I fought for her, not against guards or soldiers but against my own demons and shortcomings. I finally earned her forgiveness and love back, but it was a long and difficult journey. If Taehyung is ready for fighting for you , like I did for your mother, then I believe he deserves a chance." I look up at my dad, seeing the sincerity in his eyes as he shares this personal story with me.