Daddy's Girl

Chapter Thirty Six - Get It Right This Time

I don't think I've ever felt so awkward in my life. As we sit in silence in the taxi, we pull into traffic.

"Is she okay?" I ask him. He just smiles at me.

"You'll find out soon enough, Sophia." He says, tapping his nose. My phone buzzes in my pocket.

Where are you? Are you alright? Did you find your father? If you have, get away from him. He wants to kill you. Please make sure Elise is okay. Mary xx

I reply to her.

I'm with dad. I'm fine, I just feel a bit sick. I can't get away from him now, we're going to see Elise. I will update you. If I haven't contacted within an hour, phone the police. Get them to track my phone. I'll make sure she's okay, don't worry. - Sophia

"Who's that? Your new mother?" James asks.

"Mary? Yes. It was her." I sigh and lean my head back. I feel car sick. This is horrible.

"Oh, Sweetie, are you alright?" He asks falsely.

"Fine." I rub my head. "I'm perfectly fine." I pause. "What did it feel like?"

"What?"

"Beating your daughter up. Breaking her ribs. What did you feel? What was it like? What was going through your mind?" I ask, opening my eyes and looking at him.

"You're no different to anyone else that I beat up. Just because I created you doesn't mean I wouldn't hurt you. You have to learn, Sophia." He says. "You're no different. I felt nothing. I never do."

"You really are a psychopath, aren't you?"

"So are you. Well, pretty much. More of a sociopath, I think. You do care about some things." He says, looking me up and down quickly.

"I'm just going to say this now, alright? If you've harmed Elise in anyway, I will kill you. Properly this time." I say.

"I would like to see you try. It would be amusing." He chuckles. "Oh, look. We're here." He says. This is the mansion. I'm surprised he's been keeping her here. He can't stand kids. We get out of the car and go inside.

"Elise!" I call but realise that she can't respond.

"Impatient. She's upstairs. In your old room." He says. I rush up the stairs to find her sleeping peacefully in my room, in a nice cot, looking extremely happy.

"Elise!" I whisper and pick her up. She begins to cry. "No, no, Sweetie, it's me. Remember me?" I ask, looking her in the eye. She stops crying and then laughs. "Oh, you've grown, haven't you, sweetheart?" I smile. She grabs my finger like she always does.

"She's happy here." James says from behind me.

"You've looked after her well. I'm surprised." I raise my eyebrows. I'm never letting Elise go.

"Surprised? Really? Why? Do you doubt my parenting skills?" He looks shocked.

"Well, you made me, so yes." I frown. He laughs.

"Fair point. You are a bit of a fuck up. But I want to get it right this time." he says.

"Wait, what? 'This time'? What do you mean?"

"I'm going to raise another child. Little Elise here." He explains. "I thought even you would've pieced that together."

"What? No you're not. You're going to stay away from her. You're not going to fuck her up like you did with me. I'm not letting you. She's not even your child." I say, holding Elise close to me. He's never getting to her again. She rests on me and falls asleep. "You're not keeping her. She's John and Mary's."