𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 - 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝘇 𝗕𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀

Chapter 14

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"BLOOD IN THE SAND - Lucius verus" (based on gladiator 2) if you would like!!

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I met my mom and dad out by the car. As I climbed in, I placed my bag in the back seat next to me. The car rolled down the familiar streets of Calabasas. Eventually, we turned into our long driveway, and as we came to a stop, I helped my mom out of the car.

But when I turned to glance at my dad, I noticed he hadn't gotten out yet. I looked back at my mom, already moving towards the front door.

"We'll be inside in a second," I said softly.

Once she was inside, I turned back to face my father, still sitting in the car.

"You're back early from deployment..." I began, feeling a knot form in my stomach.

He leaned back in the car seat, eyes narrowing slightly as he looked at me. "Yeah, got back ahead of schedule. There were changes—things got wrapped up faster than expected." He paused, then grunted, "You played well at the match. For someone who doesn't seem to care much about anything else."

I couldn't quite tell if it was praise or a jab. Either way, it didn't feel like much.

My father leaned against the car, still in his uniform, his eyes narrowing as he watched me. The weight of his presence felt heavier than usual.

"I was talking to Jose earlier," he said, his voice cold. "He told me you've become friends with his boys."

I felt a knot tighten in my stomach. I shifted uncomfortably, trying to remain calm. "Yeah, I met Erik after you left for deployment," I said, meeting his gaze. "And I met Lyle not long after that. Erik plays tennis, just as Lyle you know, so we started hanging out a lot more."

My father's expression didn't change, but I could see the tension in his jaw. I knew this conversation was far from over.

My father's eyes remained fixed on me, his expression hardening. The silence between us grew thick, and I felt a sense of dread creeping in. I forced myself to keep steady, though every instinct screamed at me to avoid his gaze.

"So, you're just hanging out with boys now?" he asked, his voice tight with something I couldn't quite place. It wasn't just curiosity—there was an edge to his tone, something darker.

I felt a cold knot form in my stomach, but I stood my ground. "We are just friends," I repeated, a little more forcefully.

He sneered, his eyes narrowing, his voice dropping to a dangerous low. "I don't think you understand, Alexandra. You're acting like some whore, hanging around with boys like it's nothing. You think that's acceptable? You think I'm going to sit here and let my daughter disgrace herself like this?"

The words hit me like a slap, the sting sharp and unforgiving. My heart raced as I tried to keep my voice steady. "Dad, it's not like that," I said, barely above a whisper.

"Don't tell me it's not like that," he barked, his anger rising. "You're making a mockery of yourself. You're spending time with them, laughing, playing—acting like you're some carefree little slut. No daughter of mine is going to act like that."

I felt my breath catch, the bile rising in my throat as his words echoed in my head. "They're just friends," I said again, more quietly this time, my resolve faltering under the weight of his accusations.

"Well, you keep telling yourself that," he spat, voice dripping with disdain. "But I see through it. I'm not stupid. You're not just some innocent little girl anymore, Alexandra. You're mine to control, and I won't stand by while you ruin yourself."