“She’s not your daughter anymore,” I said flatly, shrugging. “And your wife? She wants nothing to do with you, you piece of shit.” I could feel my jaw clenching so tightly, it almost hurt.
“Nick,” came her voice, soft but sharp enough to cut through the tension. I spun around, startled.“Melanie, go back upstairs,” I said quickly, my protective instincts kicking in. “I’m handling this.”
“No, Nick, it’s fine,” she replied, her eyes steady and calm.
“No, it’s not fine,” I snapped, my voice rising despite my best efforts.
“This man has hurt you.” I was trembling, a volcanic rage just beneath the surface, ready to explode. I could feel it in my veins. But then, she pinned me with a look—strong, determined. She needed this. She needed to do it for herself, and she could handle it.
When she turned to face her father, he tried again, his voice desperate.
“Sweetie, do you really hate me that much to spread these awful lies about me to your mother?”
“I don’t hate you,” she said quietly, but her words carried a weight I could feel all the way to my bones.
“They aren’t lies,” came Michelle’s voice from behind us, cold and tired. We turned, watching as she slowly rose to her feet, looking like she’d been through hell and back.
“Michelle, baby,” Richard tried to step forward, but I blocked his path, my hand firm against his chest
.“Look here, you fucking circus piece of trash.”
My eyebrows knitted together, disgust rising in my throat. Washe referring to my tattoos? I barely contained the laugh that tried to break free. Was this guy serious?
“I may look like trash on the outside, but you’re the real piece of garbage. I’ve never wanted to make killing someone worth my while until I met you.”
“Nick,” Michelle said, stepping in front of me, her voice calm but commanding. “I appreciate you being a bodyguard, but you need to go tend to your wife.”
Our eyes locked for a moment. I saw something I hadn’t seen before: the fire in her eyes, the fighter inside her that was ready to stand her ground. This wasn’t my battle anymore. It was hers. And for the first time, I let go, backing up with Melanie pressed against my chest, letting Michelle and Richard have the words they needed to exchange.
“What are you even doing here?” Michelle asked, standing firm in the doorway, blocking him.
“Really, Michelle?” Richard’s voice cracked with anger. “You’re my wife. When my wife tells me she’s divorcing me over some made-up lies, of course, I’m on the next plane out to fix this.”
“There’s nothing to fix. My decision is final.”
“Are you serious? I know she’s your daughter, but come on, she’s been lying since she turned 13. She’s an exceptional actress.”
I could feel Melanie stiffen in my arms, her pain palpable. And it broke me, watching her endure this.
“How about we go for a walk?” I suggested just to get Melanie away from here. From that toxic man who claims to love her. But she didn’t respond. She just stared straight ahead, her fists clenched at her sides.
“I believe her, Richard. She’s not lying,” Michelle said, her voice low and steady.
“Really? How about when she told us she wasn’t on drugs but we found a ton of them in her room? Or when she stole my car to go to a party and blamed it on some friend? Or when she pretended to go to class, but was really skipping to get high with some guys?”
“Enough!” Michelle raised a hand, her face straining with the effort to stay calm.
“Please, baby, just listen to me. I want to fix this. Whatever you think she needs…”
Michelle rubbed at her temples, looking tired. “I don’t know, Richard. I don’t know what to believe anymore.”
“I’m willing to do whatever you think is best. Send her back to college. Bring her home.”
“This is her home,” I growled, tightening my hold on Melanie. Richard glared at me, his voice venomous.
“Send her to the best rehab facilities in L.A., where we know she’s being taken care of. Not here, in some non-profit lakehouse run by her friend who has just as many issues.”Melanie lurched forward, but I held her back, my grip firm but gentle.“Please, sweetie. I love you guys. I’ll do anything.”
Melanie scoffed, turning away, and I didn’t blame her. The guy was relentless, and it was clear he wouldn’t stop until he got what he wanted. I just prayed Michelle made the right choice—for Melanie’s sake.
