Chapter 313: A past regret

Braelyn’s POV

The burger wasn’t poisonous. At least I hadn’t experienced any side effects yet… unless it was a slow-acting poison.

After having a rare satisfying meal, I went back to my small mattress to sleep. I had to reserve my strength after all…

*****

I don’t know why maybe it was because I craved comfort, I had a dream. It was of Dad.

It was a cool spring afternoon. Raphael and I had just gotten married and Dad retired from the company. He said he was tired of working

During that period I always made an effort to drop by Dad’s place on my way back from work to check up on him. At times if Raphael closed with me we would come together.

Raphael was on a business trip so I came alone that early evening. “He is on the veranda.” The old maid informed me as I stepped inside the old villa. It was exactly what it was before I got married and carried that scent that felt like home

“Thanks, Martha. ” I chimed then walked right inside and passed the foyer to a corridor that led to the side entrance..

Dad loved sitting on that Veranda and staring at the garden whenever he was bored. It was an old retirement hobby. I arrived at the door, and from inside I could hear the sound of old 80s music that dad used to love.

A smile curled up my lip, and I pushed the door open. “Daddy..” I called out in a childish voice. Dad was sitting with his back against the door.

His once jet-black hair had turned completely grey, and he looked like he was at peace just sitting back on that chair. “Daddy…” I called again not giving a fuck it was childish.

He didn’t answer me, my stomach churned and I quickly rushed to his side and shook his arm. My heart was racing fast, and the fear that he had suddenly just died while staring at flowers made my stomach churn.

He was resting against the chair with his eyes closed. That was enough to scare the shit out of me. “Daddy…” I called out again, shaking his arm.

“Brae…” a hoarse voice groaned, his brows furrowed before his wrinkled eyes slowly opened. “Why are you shaking like that?” He hissed as he managed to sit up properly

“What do you expect? I was scared of you suddenly dying. I called out twice..” I snapped at him. It was rude but this was how I always was. I was his spoilt little princess

Dominic’s dark eyes fell on me. It had a hint of annoyance in it but he could never bring himself to raise his voice at me. “I am just 72. It’s not like I will suddenly drop dead without any warning.” He grumbled.

“At least I need to see one baby from you before leaving. ” My lips twitched listening to him. Dominic’s biggest wish more like a problem was seeing his grandchildren before he died.

Well, I wouldn’t blame him. He had me when he was 51. I straightened up. “Enough depressing topics. You aren’t dying anytime from now. ” I grumbled. Talking about his death was one topic I didn’t like talking about but we both knew his time would soon run out..

Ageing was something you couldn’t stop. Dominic sighed then lay back on his seat his gaze drifted to the same garden. He had a lot of yellow tulips and lilies in the garden. Since he couldn’t have the yellow chrysanthemum I was allergic to. Mum’s favourite.

I knew he was thinking of her while watching the garden every day. The fresh spring breeze blew across ruffling my hair. It carried the soft scent of pollen.

“Acchoo..” I sneered, drawing dad’s attention. “Sorry..” I muttered rubbing under my nose.

“Bless you.” He scoffed before his tone turned serious. “What are you doing here Brae? You just got married and should focus on your husband instead of coming back every day. ”

Annoying old man, and here I was trying to be a caring filial daughter. “Is it a sin that I came to visit my father who is bored out of his mind every day? Retirement is boring. ” I grumbled searching through my bag.

“Raphael is on a business trip and I brought something for you. You have no idea what I found at the supermarket. ” I excitedly chimed, pulling out a box of foreign biscuits.

Dad’s eyes lit up although he tried to hide it. “You came all here to give me biscuits..” he complained while practically snatching the box from my hand. Dad was pretty picky but had a secret sweet tooth.

He loved this particular brand and bought it whenever he was on foreign trips back in the day. Unfortunately due to some tax issues, stores in the country stopped importing this brand making it hard to find on shelves.

I rolled my eyes at his behaviour but still had a smile on my face..”The moment I saw it. I thought of you. ”

“You are such a sweet talker Brae..” he chimed. His smile was brighter as his mood improved. I squatted by his side and stared at the garden he was so obsessed with. I couldn’t figure out what was so special about it.

“What are you always thinking of daddy?” I asked him, and my gaze slowly drifted to his face. “You are always lost in your thoughts when staring at the garden..”

A silent beat fell after my question. He was lost in his thoughts once more. Then his lips slowly parted. “Most times I think of your mother I should have protected her better….” he muttered. “And at times I think of someone I was meant to protect but ended up hurting her..” he revealed

My brows furrowed. It was the first time I was hearing this. “Who was she? Your mother. ” I blurted out. Daddy rarely spoke about his family or his past.

“Margaret…I was a total scumbag to her. Maybe this is my karma..”

Dad was about to say something else, but the words never came.

*******

A splash of cold water hit my face forcing me to wake up. My eyes shot up, heart racing and breath ragged. I was surprised to see two guards standing in my cell, including my warden.

“Someone is here for you princess. ” he chimed and before I could process his statement, I was yanked off the mattress.

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