Tightrope; A New Romance

Chapter 8- Daddy Issues

I was drowned in shock, unable to comprehend the fact that I was in the visual presence of an angel, let alone it being my father. But he was a stranger to me and nobody I wanted to get close too. I was here because it's what my mum thought was best, not because Kade wanted me around suddenly.

Erik gave me a gentle shove, ushering me to move towards him. But I didn't budge; I stood frozen at the scene. What was I supposed to do? Say, "Oh, hey Dad, long time no see?" But my thoughts were interrupted as he spoke before I had to.

"Scarlett, it's so great to see you." He rose to his feet, but didn't move any closer. He could tell that I didn't want to be here, I didn't want to talk to this son of a bitch. He'd just turned his back on us and left my mother heartbroken for four years until Mike came into her life. But I could still see how much it hurt her, all the nights I heard her crying. I'd spent half of my childhood growing up without a father and only now, when I least wanted to meet him; the man who's blood pulsed in my veins, he was here, right in front of me.

I could tell Kade sensed my disregard for him as he sighed and ran a hand through his dark hair that I'd inherited.

"Leave us." his voice echoed off the walls, causing everyone to leave the room immediately. The only person who stayed was Erik and I was thankful for that, even though he was far away from me at the back of the room, lingering in the shadows.

"How was your trip?" Kade asked.

"Really?" I scoffed, my arms folded defensively over my chest. "This is the first time we've met and that's the first thing you ask me?"

Kade lowered his wings so the tips of the feathers graced the ground. "We have met before, seventeen years ago when you were only a few minutes old. That moment I held you was one of the most joyous of my life you know. So don't think badly of me Scarlett, I had no choice."

"No choice in being a part of your daughters life?"

"You have to believe me."

"How can I? You left us! Do you know how you made my mother feel?" I snapped, tears welling up in my eyes.

"I loved you both. Don't you dare think for a second that I didn't."

"Stop acting like you actually give a shit." I wanted to run away, to escape from this dark hellhole. But I soon realised that I'd have nowhere to go.

Kade sighed again. "Scarlett...."

"No, don't." A tear slid down my cheek. "I want to go home."

"You know I can't do that."

"Why? Why do you want me here now all of the sudden?"

"Because I can sense your power, your angel half begging to be awakened, so it can arise from the body it's trapped in. Can't you feel it fighting? You need to start training urgently," he explained.

I was instantly confused at his words and I think he could tell from my facial expression. I felt nothing fighting except my will to punch Kade right in the gut for abandoning us for all those years.

"Not yet, ey? Well that will happen soon enough, it's completely normal at your age."

"Normal?! Thanks to you, I'm not normal, I'll never be normal!" I shouted, feeling hurt and frustrated.

Kade slumped back into his throne, looking bored and annoyed with me. "You inherited your stubborn streak from me you know. I think you'll find we have a lot in common."

I wanted to spit in his face. "I'm nothing like you."

He leaned forward a little, "I think this is a great opportunity for us to build a better father- daughter relationship, don't you agree?" He spoke almost as if he was trying to tease me, the bastard.