Running From You

Chapter 36

NORA

I take a deep breath to calm myself as I walk across the foyer toward the noises. I pause at the open doorway, looking around for the man responsible for my sister crying her eyes out in the bathroom.

The dining room is massive and modern, and filled with people dressed in fancy cocktail dresses and suits. It seems that they've just finished dessert, as some are already getting up and mingling.

It takes me a while to spot my father, who's dressed meticulously in dark gray slacks and a white dress shirt. I start walking toward him, weaving through people and ignoring the looks I'm getting.

He's in the middle of telling some story to a lovely-looking couple when he finally spots me. His jaw clenches and his lips flatten as disapproval colors his face. He quickly schools his expression to neutral, though, and then excuses himself before making his way to me.

"Nora, what are you doing here?" he asks through tight lips, speaking in a low voice so not to be overheard.

"What do you think?" I narrow my eyes at him and cross my arms over my chest. I don't bother keeping my voice down, as I really don't care who hears. I'm very aware of all the eyes raking me from head to toes. I'm sure I'm a sight to see in my sweats and t-shirt and messy hair I didn't bother to comb before leaving the house.

My father looks around and smiles at the nearest people eyeing us, trying to make it seem like nothing's wrong. "Come here," his hand closes around my arm and he starts dragging me out of the room.

"Take your hands off me!" I hiss as his fingers tighten painfully. We make it all the way to the foyer before I'm able to wrench my arm from his grip. I massage the sore spot. That's going to bruise.

"Be quiet!" my father commands, looking around frantically. We're alone, now, but the people closest to the door are casting us curious glances.

I snort. "Yeah,  I don't think so. You see, I don't care who hears what I'm going to say next."

His eyes narrow. "Whatever it is, I'm sure it can wait. I'm in the middle of hosting a dinner party, as you can well see."

"Yeah, I don't really care," I answer flippantly.

"Go home," he says through gritted teeth, clearly trying to reign in his anger. "You are embarrassing yourself!" He eyes me as if I'm standing here dressed as a hobo.

"The only one I'm embarrassing is you," I jab a finger at him. "And you're done with Mads. You're going to leave her alone from now on, is that clear?"

He shakes his head, letting out a mirthless laugh. "That is between me and your sister. Keep your nose out of where it doesn't belong."

"It's my business now," I tell him, my voice strong and even. "You're done hurting her. She doesn't want anything to do with you anymore."

"Is that so?" His eyes take on a dangerous glint. He's not a man used to people telling him what to do.

"Yes," I say defiantly. "She won't lie for you. You've dug up your own grave and you can climb out of it all by yourself. She won't have anything to do with it. You're done using her."

"You know nothing," he spits, his face betraying his anger. "You have no idea what you're talking about."

"Don't I?" I raise a brow in challenge. "So, you haven't been lying and cheating on your wife and covering it up by claiming you've been seeing your daughter? You didn't threaten Mads to lie for you?"

He's visibly bristling with anger now. "Stay out of my business, before I make you."

I let out a humorless laugh. "You don't scare me," I tell him. "You have no hold on me, not anymore." I'm not a little girl dying for his approval anymore, and haven't been for a very long time.