The Dark Heirs Volume 1

Chapter 24 (1): A genius father

Tw: self neglection, passive suicide, cancer mention, loss of loved ones, overworking

Enjoy:3
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Viktoria walked up to her father's room and knocked on the door. "I'm home..." She muttered again after hearing no reply from her father on the first try. When he didn't answer a second time she grabbed her key for his room she had and unlocked the door to find her father deeply asleep on his desk. He had overworked himself, just like he always does. Viktoria couldn't say she was surprised but it still upset her.

"Come on, dad... Atleast go to bed.." She sighed and tried to drag him into his bed, which wasn't easy considering he was quite heavy. Being carried woke him up. He almost jumped in shock. "Oh it's only you, sweetie.. Nice to see you around." He stated with a tired smile. Viktoria stroked his hair slightly. "Dad you can't just continue overworking yourself when I'm not home. It's not healthy and you're the last parent I have left..." Viktoria's voice almost broke saying that, the painful memories of her mother becoming clear images in her mind again. Richard put his hands on his face for a moment. "I'm sorry... But my research is important. I'm really close to finding a cure against cancer, can you believe that? I can save people's lifes! I can't stop now..." He explained fixing his glasses which are very dirty at the moment. "Their lifes... But don't you care about your own? I don't want you dying. Please take breaks dad... I don't want to lose you.." Viktoria sobbed even though she tried her best not to let herself cry, she was unable to stop the tears.

Richard was too tired to continue any kind of conversation so all he did was imidiantly go to sleep for a while like his daughter suggested. Viktoria was glad he was finally in bed but also worried at the same time about his habits. He barely ate, barely drank, almost never left his house and basically never slept until his body succumbed in exhaustion. She knew very well he's a great scientist and doctor and that his results could be world changing and wonderful, but she just couldn't let her dad destroy himself anymore.

Viktoria slowly made her way to the kitchen and started doing the dishes and cleaning. It looked like her father hadn't cleaned at all the week she had been gone. Viktoria groaned in frustration. She was at a loss of what to do with this man.

Richard woke up in the afternoon of the next day with a massive headache. He held his head and groaned. "Isn't this just great? There I am needing to finish my work and I get a migraine, goddamn." He yelled in frustration. He slowly got up and made his way to his barely lit kitchen and made himself a coffee. He spotted his daughter in leaning against the door. "Hey Viktoria..." He muttered knowing she was mad. "Dad, you overworked yourself again, I can't believe you." She stated angrily. "Look, I'll take off work today? Satisfied?" He groaned, his head not fit for an argument. Viktoria slowly came closer and hugged him. "NO THAT'S NOT ENOUGH! I LOST MY MOM AND HERE'S MY DAD SLOWLY KILLING HIMSELF. I WANT YOU TO STOP." She yelled out desperately starting to cry.

He was conflicted on what to do. He wanted to finish his work but also make his daughter happy. After all he only had this one daughter... He had always wished for one and when his wife was finally pregnant, cancer took both the baby's and his wife's life. Adopting Viktoria had brought light into his life even when he still wanted to finally find a way to cure cancer.

"We could hang out today?.. Visit the orphanage or something. Would you like that?" He carefully asked, trying his best to sound like a good father. Viktoria was stunned at his reply. She didn't think he was actually ready to take a break and go outside yet. It made her happy. "Yes , I'd love that, father..." She eventually replied with a geniune smile and a soft gaze.

Later the day they finally went outside. Richard imidiantly covered his eyes. "Gosh, it's terribly light out here. My eyes hurt." He complained. "Well that's what you get for sitting in your dark room the entire day. Time you finally enjoy nature." Viktoria stated teasingly. Richard let out a breath. "Guess I deserve that. Yeah, then let's go enjoy it." He muttered a little displeased and started walking into the direction of the orphanage with his daughter.

Viktoria enjoyed the walk. Seeing her father getting his Vitamin d and breathing fresh air makes her worries wash away. She wanted to enjoy this day, a day her father finally took a break from overworking all the time.

The road was a bit wet from the rain of the day prior. Viktoria's shoes got dirty. "Aw man, I loved those shoes. It'll take a long time to clean them.." She sighed lowering her head. "I could clean them for you, dear." Richard offered looking at her shoes. "Doesn't seem like they're that dirty." He added. Viktoria was surprised but nodded. "That would be really nice. Thank you dad. I could clean your room for you in exchange. It's very messy since you almost never leave it." She mocked him giggling slightly. "Hey, what I'm doing might be a revolutionary medicine in medical history. Imagine all the deaths caused by cancer going down because of my medicine! Your mother could've also needed that." He explained hopefully. Viktoria winced a bit. The mention of her mother hurt her. She didn't want to ever think about her mother's death again. As much as she didn't like to admit it, it still haunted her.. even in her dreams.

Richard noticed that and looked away, feeling guilty. "I'm sorry, Vik.." He apologized in a quiet voice. The rest of the way they were quiet and didn't speak to each other.

Soon they arrived at the orphanage. "Hey Nanako! Richard and me wanted to visit the children!" Viktoria called out. Nanako walked up to them. She had been watching the children play in the garden. "Of course, come in." Nanako opened the door.

Viktoria was excited, it has been long since she saw the children.
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:33
It's too late again waa
Tired Jude out once again!