Once, my paranoid love

As I emerged from the room, Anne had been eavesdropping outside the door. Her voice dripped with insincere praise as she addressed me.

“Elena, you did an excellent job,” Anne said, her words like sweet poison. “I know how much you adore your father.”

I met Anne’s faux compliment with a wry grin, fully aware of her hidden motives. Her words were like honeyed traps, designed to catch those who let their guard down. Anne’s smile remained plastered on her face.

I pressed on, my voice steady and determined. “I know you’re thrilled, but please don’t try to take my mom’s belongings. You managed to take her husband once, but I’m not going to let you steal her belongings as well.”

Anne’s mask of composure slipped briefly, her eyes revealing a flash of anger and irritation. My pointed words had struck a nerve.

I wasn’t finished yet. “And now I know who owns everything,” I added, my voice unwavering. “I won’t let you exploit my family any further.” I walked toward my room after saying this.

**

“You’re such a douche,” Anne spat out with a venomous glare, her words dripping with contempt. She clenched her hand, her nails digging into her palm, as she thought about the events that had unfolded.

Her sinister words hung in the air. “To me, it makes no difference,” she continued, her voice low and ominous. “I’m going to kill you today or tomorrow, just like I did your mother.”

Anne stormed into her room, her anger palpable and her intentions clear.

“Babe,” Anne said to Robert, her tone suddenly sweet. Her ability to switch between personas was unnerving, and it left me with a sinking feeling that I was alone in this battle against her.

“Anne!” Robert’s voice carried a tone of bitterness as he called her name, his frustration evident.

“I’ve heard it all, honey.” Anne tried to console him, her tone attempting to soothe the turmoil within him. “Mr. Huston is a nice person, so don’t worry.”

Robert’s disbelief was palpable as he countered, “How could you possibly say such a thing? Did you ever catch a glimpse of him?”

Anne, with a calculated demeanor, continued to justify her stance. “No, but it seems as if it is. Elena is a mature girl. She is capable of taking care of herself. Elena can divorce him after she gets everything.”

The callousness of Anne’s words and her apparent disregard for Elena’s well-being left Robert feeling torn. He had always been deeply conflicted about the situation, torn between his loyalty to Anne and his growing concerns for Elena.

As Anne handed him the phone and instructed him to dial Obin’s number, Robert accepted it with dissatisfaction. He couldn’t shake the feeling that Anne’s motivations were more complex than they appeared. He had a nagging suspicion that there was more to Mr. Huston’s proposal.

‘A sense of foreboding and regret gnawing at my conscience. The words that had been exchanged between me and Elena had shaken me to my core. I knew, deep down, that I was making a mistake by allowing this situation to persist. Oh God! What am I supposed to do now? I couldn’t help but think of Diana, my beloved wife, who had passed away. She would never have allowed this situation to fester. I’m sorry, Diana. I’m not even capable of saving our daughter.’ Robert thought.

With trembling hands, Robert dialed Obin’s phone number, the weight of his actions pressing heavily upon him.

“Yes, Mr. Robert,” Obin’s voice sounded composed as he picked up the phone.

Robert, his heart heavy with worry and regret, spoke with a trembling voice. “I want Mr. Huston to marry my daughter.”

Obin’s response was measured. “All right,” he agreed, the gravity of the situation apparent in his tone.

But Robert was not done. He couldn’t bear the thought of relinquishing control over his daughter’s fate entirely. “But,” he continued, his voice quivering with desperation, “may I speak with him once?”

Obin’s silence hung in the air, and Robert’s anxiety grew with each passing moment. The memory of his late wife, Diana, and the promise he had made to protect their daughter weighed heavily on his conscience.

“Your wife was lucky, Mr. Robert, that my boss spoke with her,” Obin finally replied, his voice unwavering and cold.

Tears welled up in Robert’s eyes as he pleaded, “But, as a daughter’s father, can’t I have a conversation with him?”

The desperation in Robert’s voice was palpable-a father’s plea to ensure the well-being of his child. He knew that Elena was at the center of a web of secrets and deceit, and he was willing to do whatever it took to ensure her safety and happiness.

“Mr. Robert,” Obin’s voice remained unwavering, “Isn’t this marriage supposed to be a great sign? If that’s the case, why are you hoping for more?”

Robert’s heart ached at Obin’s words. He knew that the marriage was meant to be a symbol of stability and security for Elena, but the circumstances surrounding it were shrouded in secrecy and doubt. He couldn’t shake the feeling that something was amiss.

“If you don’t like Mr. Huston, don’t give your daughter to him. You weren’t forced by my boss,” Obin continued, his tone a mix of sternness and concern. “If you truly care about your daughter, why are you allowing this marriage to take place?”

Obin’s questions cut through Robert’s soul like a knife. He was torn between his desire to protect Elena and his inability to fully grasp the extent of the situation. The promises he had made to his late wife, Diana, weighed heavily on his conscience, and he couldn’t bear the thought of failing to honor her memory.

“I… I want what’s best for Elena,” Robert stammered, his voice laden with anguish. “But I can’t ignore the doubts and the secrets that surround this marriage. I need to be sure that she will be safe and happy.”

“I understand your concern, Mr. Robert. It’s only natural for a father to want the best for his daughter. But you must remember that sometimes our decisions are driven by circumstances we may not fully understand.”

Robert felt a sense of desperation and helplessness wash over him.

Obin’s voice offered a glimmer of hope as he spoke again. “If you want to ensure your daughter’s happiness, you must trust her judgment. Talk to her, Mr. Robert. Communicate with Elena openly and honestly.”

Tears welled up in Robert’s eyes as he grappled with the turmoil of his emotions. His thoughts were a swirling tempest of guilt, regret, and self-doubt. ‘I’m a cowardly father,’ he thought, painfully aware of his hesitation and indecision.

“Mr. Robert,” he said, “my boss will send a car tomorrow to pick up your daughter.”

The abruptness of Obin’s statement left Robert feeling overwhelmed. Tomorrow? It was far sooner than he had anticipated. The weight of the impending decision bore down on him, and he struggled to find his voice.

Obin, perceiving Robert’s distress, asked in a businesslike tone, “He’ll probably register the marriage.”

The word ‘tomorrow’ echoed in Robert’s mind. It was as if time had accelerated, leaving him scrambling to come to terms with the rapid turn of events.

“Tomorrow?” Robert asked, his voice trembling with uncertainty and anxiety.

Obin, his tone still devoid of emotion, posed a direct question. “Do you have a problem?”This belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.

The urgency of Obin’s words snapped Robert back to reality. He knew that he couldn’t let fear and indecision paralyze him any longer. The fate of his daughter hung in the balance, and he had to act decisively, even if it meant confronting his own shortcomings.

“But, Mr. Obin,” Robert finally spoke, his voice steadier now, “I won’t be able to arrange everything in one night. There are so many things to consider, and I need time to ensure that Elena’s future is secure.”

Robert felt his heart drop as Obin’s words washed over him like a tidal wave. The finality in Obin’s tone left him stunned and helpless.

“Mr. Robert, you don’t have to do anything. Everything will be set up by Mr. Huston. Also, send your daughter alone,” Obin declared.

The shock of Obin’s directive reverberated in Robert’s mind. His worst fears were being realized. The thought of sending his beloved daughter, Elena, alone into the unknown was unbearable.

“What? Mr. Obin, what exactly are you saying?” Robert’s voice trembled with a mix of desperation and anger. “She is the only child I have. Is it fair that I don’t have the privilege of going there with her?”

Obin’s response was swift and cold. “No. You no longer have any privileges. Take care, Mr. Robert. Your daughter’s wedding is tomorrow.”

The finality of Obin’s words hung heavy in the air as he abruptly hung up the phone, leaving Robert in a state of shock and despair. The helplessness he felt was suffocating, like a noose tightening around his heart.

Tears welled up in Robert’s eyes as he realized the depth of his powerlessness in the face of this orchestrated marriage. He had been stripped of his rights as a father, reduced to a mere spectator in the life of the daughter he loved so dearly.