I freeze. My skin prickles, the hairs on the back of my neck rising in alarm.
He lingers, taking his time to release me, his warm breath grazing my skin and sending a shiver down my spine — but not the good kind. Everything about this man puts me on edge.
There’s something wrong with the way he looks at me. Not like a man seeing a woman. But like a man seeing property.
Something to own. Something to claim.
“I’ve waited quite some time to meet you again.”
I rip my hand free and step back, needing space to breathe. My gaze snaps to my father, still sitting on the loveseat, whiskey glass in hand.
“Dad? What’s going on?”
Mr. Feriama turns to my father with a raised eyebrow. “You haven’t told her? Come, Aruto, I would have expected better from you, considering she is your only child.”
“Giacomo, please,” my father starts, hands trembling. He takes one last swig of whiskey before setting the glass on the side table beside him. “Can I just have a word with my daughter, in private? I understand we have an agreement, but you came unexpectedly and I?—”
Mr. Feriama lifts a hand, silencing him with a casual flick of his wrist.
“You should have prepared her before my arrival. No wonder the girl looks like she wants to run for the hills. She has no idea what’s going on.”
He turns his gaze back to me, eyes raking over my face. His hand lifts, reaching for me. My little flinch doesn’t deter him. He brushes the back of his knuckles against my cheek.
“Don’t be afraid of me,cara.The last thing I want to do is hurt you.”
I don’t believe him.
There’s something reptilian in his gaze. The kind of stare that stills you just long enough before the viper strikes.
“Aruto,” he says, still keeping his eyes on me. “Tell your daughter why I’m here. She needs to know.”
I blink. “Know what?”
I turn my attention to my father. He swallows hard, his eyes flashing with shame before he looks away.
“Dad…” My own throat feels tight. “What do I need to know?”
The silence between us is deafening. So loud I can hear the pounding of my heart in my chest.
“Mama’s surgery… wasn’t cheap,” he says at last.
“I know.” My voice drops to a whisper as blood rushes past my ears like a storm. “What does that have to do with why he’s here?”
My father gulps. Mr. Feriama gives him a small nod, urging him to continue.
“I didn’t have enough for her surgery. They were asking for over half a million dollars, and our medical aid wouldn’t cover it.”
The room falls away until the only thing in focus is my father.
“I needed the money, Bea. Otherwise your mother was going to die and I… I can’t live without her.”
“You told me they did it pro bono. You said the hospital agreed to that.” My throat tightens with each word. “Dad, why is this man here? Tell me! Don’t just sit there with your hand around your bloody glass!”
He flinches at my harsh tone. And for the first time, I see my father look… regretful.
“Giacomo was the only one who could help us, baby.” Tears brim in my father’s eyes. He stares at me with a defeated look that shatters me. “He offered to pay the bill, but in exchange he didn’t want the money back.”
The air is thick. I can barely take in any oxygen; the atmosphere is laden with tension. The thunderous pounding of my heart against my chest fills me completely
