My Fiancé Wants Me Back Too Bad The Only Thing Coming Back Is Your Regret novel · Chapter 15 of 24

Chapter 15: Green Dress

I went to my father's for dinner because I chose to, on a Wednesday, with a wire under my left ribs.

Dad opened the door in his navy cardigan and held out both arms.

I walked into them and let him hold me.

He smelled like pipe tobacco and starch, the way he had every day of my childhood.

"My girl," he said into my hair. "I thought you'd never come."

"I'm sorry I left like that, Dad."

"Don't. Come and eat."

Tommy was at the kitchen table with a mug of tea and his coat still on.

He raised a hand to me.

"Hal."

"Tommy."

I had known that man since I was six.

He had taught me to ride a bike on Adams Street, running behind me with one hand on the seat.

I sat down across from him and passed him the bread.

My hand didn't shake.

I heard Declan's voice in my ear, very low, from the van at the end of the street.

"Easy."

Dad carved.

He talked about the foundation, and the florist, and a donor who had died.

When the plates were full, he put down his knife and folded his hands.

"I owe you something, Hallie."

"Dad..."

"Let me." He reached into the pocket of his cardigan. "I've been ashamed since you left."

He laid three envelopes beside my plate.

Each was slit across the top and taped shut.

Each said my name in Declan's handwriting.

"I kept your mail," Dad said. "I told myself it was to protect you."

"You read it."

"I did. I read every word, and I hated that he could still make you wait. He had no right."

"He wrote four cards in four years."

"Which I should have given you. A father who can't hand his daughter her own letters." His voice cracked. "I thought if you never heard from him, you'd finally stop."

My eyes stung, and it was not an act.

He was so good at it.

That was the worst part.

"Thank you for giving them back," I said.

"I want you to have them. They're yours."

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