In Between (Tony Stark's Daughter)

Chapter - 12

Tony's POV:

Clara kept quiet, still doing her homework at the table. So, I don't have much time to talk to her after we reached our home.

"So, how was school?" I send her a smile, trying to cheer her up.

Looking up from the table, she just gives me a shrug. "Fine, I guess."

She shifts her attention towards her book again, writing down what seems to be her homework.

"Still not finished?" I give her a raised eyebrow, as she takes very long to complete her so called homework.

She gives me a nod, and she writes again on her notebook. I let out a huge sigh. "Bug, it's almost two hours. I know that you are very good at maths too." I reason, as I saw that she is opening her Mathematics textbook.

It was true. This little girl spends most of her time with me that she even knows integration and differentiation. Sometimes, I even think that she is a natural since she is very good at it. Too good, to be exact.

"I am practicing the calculus, dad. I finished my homeworks years ago." She replies, emphasizing the word.

Hmm, someone's being moody today. My conscious comments since she never threw sarcastic comments at anyone.

I know her all too well to tell that something is bothering her. For starters, she keeps on scribbling on her notebook harshly. Secondly, she tends to use calculus and some other complex mathematics problems to direct her attention away when something is not according to her liking. And lastly, she keeps on avoiding my questions.

"Put the book away, Clara. We need to talk." I commanded, not liking the new attitude she had shown me the past hours.

Taking her bottom lips between her teeth, she stopped writing. But still, she wouldn't close the book just yet. Yep, have I mentioned that she is also a very stubborn little kid?

"I said, Put. The. Book. Away." I enunciated every word, starting to get frustrated with her attitude.

Still, she wouldn't budge. She simply ignores me as if I am not there as she still goes through the notebook, even though she stopped writing.

That's it! I thought.

Snatching the book away from her, I decide to show her who is the boss. "Stop shutting me out and listen to me, Clara Maria Stark. I said I want to talk. We need to figure this out instead of running away from it!" I raised my voice at her.

Her eyes starts to get moist as I shocked her with my shouting. Then, I realised I never raise my voice in front of her.

"Do you understand?!" I keep my tone firm, as I throw her notebook on the couch, away from her.

She gives me a nod. But I wasn't satisfied with just that. "Don't you know how to speak?" I asked, trying my best not to show that I am also crying on the inside since I just shout at her. I really don't want to, but she makes me. I still have to discipline her even though I know that she is very heartbroken right now. Otherwise, she would turn out to be like some bratty spoiled kid.

That is my duty as a parent and I know I have to sometimes scold her for her wrongs. If not, she could never survive in this world without any complains.

"Y-yes." She stuttered, as she lets out a sniff.

My eyes soften once I see the tears falling down her cheeks. Little did she know that my heart is being ripped into million pieces just by seeing her cry.