𝙼𝚊𝚛𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚍 𝚃𝚘 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚂𝚎𝚗𝚊𝚝𝚘𝚛'𝚜 𝚂𝚘𝚗 ||ℭ𝔬𝔪𝔭𝔩𝔢𝔱𝔢✓||

Chapter 55

Chioma's POV.

So there I was, standing right next to my dad right outside the hospital, surrounded by a cloud of silence and a bed of flowers and grass surrounding us both. He wasn't willing to say anything, I wasn't either and as always, my heart thumped within my chest and I silently grunted cause I couldn't take all the suspense coming from his utter silence.

What did he want to tell me? Did he want me home? Was he here to tell me something really...?

"Chioma, we have a lot to talk about. But first, let's start with how you've been coping on the mainland" he said and I cleared my throat, ready to spill my gut all through.

"Well, I've been managing just fine and I finally have a job. I work at St. Nicholas hospital now" I said, the confidence in my voice definitely couldn't go unnoticed. I wanted to tell him more, to let him know that I'm more responsible now...and that I've turned a new leaf.

I watched as my father peered at me through the corner of his eyes, his stern and uptight look, still glued to his golden brown face. My heart clenched by that look, he wouldn't even spare me a half-smile or something to let me know that I wasn't in trouble.

"That's good" was all he said and the entire atmosphere fell silent again, all that could be heard were the sound of our occasional breathing and the chirps from the birds that perched on the mango tree nearby. "Chioma, I don't know if you've noticed this but your mother has been avoiding you. She's really angry at you, and not that I'm not as well, just that hers is way...worse" he cleared his throat and my shoulders slumped in disappointment.

Oh, tell me something I don't know!

Heaving a sigh, I shrugged in response. "It's quite obvious. She doesn't even want my shadow near her let alone, me" once again, I heaved a sigh, suddenly feeling tired. Of everything.

"That's right. And that's why, after much thought and a lot of consideration..." He took a pause, a serious look still on his face. "I decided to let you come home again. I figured that would help fix the rift between you and your mom. I'm hoping you don't blow this opportunity, once again" he said, all seriousness deepening and my eyes longed for a smile to finally stretch through that face of his.

"Dad, I_"

"That's not all..." He said, his voice stern and demanding attention, cutting me off in the process. "You still aren't allowed any privileges, yet. You will when you've earned them but you will come home and that isn't even a request; it's an order. You will come home tomorrow" he said and my face remained stoic and refrained.

"I'm really sorry, dad. For everything I did and said to you, for everything I said to you. And I'm not saying this cause I want those privileges back, you can keep them. I'm saying this cause I really mean it, I'm truly sorry for all I said. I swear, please find a place in your heart to forgive me" my eyes stung with the tears that'd welled up in them as I spoke. My throat felt dry and my voice; shaky.

Truth be told, I was happy to finally return home and I honestly didn't want to blow it once again. To my horror, my father said nothing to me. He only spared me a glance, didn't even smile or move his lips in the slightest, and looked ahead - eyes seemingly drained. Like he didn't believe me. Like he didn't trust me. Wouldn't even at least say he didn't believe me. He didn't have my time.