Chapter 4 Dad

I used to dream about marrying my Prince Charming and living in a grand castle, where every day would be filled with joy and laughter. I thought that marriage would be my escape from the constant turmoil created by my stepmother and her daughter but now, as I find myself married to a man I barely know, the fairytale I once imagined feels more like a distant fantasy, and I can't help but doubt if I'll ever experience the happiness I longed for.

As I sat in that chair, my heart ached while I watched my dad lying in the hospital bed, battling for his life. The reality of his lung cancer hit me hard, and it's gotten so bad that he's now suffering from aphasia. He can't speak or move his body; he's trapped in his own body, with the only things he can still do being to hear my voice and see my face. It's devastating to witness, but I suppose it's a small comfort that he can still connect with me in some way, rather than being completely unaware of the world around him.

The beeping of the machines felt like a countdown, each sound echoing the weight of my decisions. I thought of the marriage vows I had taken last night and how they felt like chains rather than a promise of love. I agreed to get married to Alpha Malik because of Dad but I know that if Dad finds out, he won't be happy with me.

Tears welled in my eyes as I reached for Dad's hand, the warmth of his skin a stark contrast to the coldness of the hospital room. "Dad," I whispered, my voice trembling as his eyes slowly fluttered open, he managed a weak smile, but I could see the pain behind it. I don't know how to tell him that I'm married, he will be crushed especially since I am his only true daughter and his dream is nothing but to see me get married to the man of my dreams.

I hesitated for what felt like an eternity, trying to muster the courage to continue speaking. "I'm married, Dad." I deliberately looked away, avoiding eye contact because I could already sense the tension building in him. His inability to speak left him with only his hands to express himself, and I watched as they began to shake uncontrollably. It broke my heart to see him like this, and I knew deep down that he was terrified, grappling with emotions he couldn't articulate.

I continued, "I know it's crazy, and I know that it's something you didn't expect from me, but I just couldn't help it. I had to get married, but I'm happy. I'm very happy." I lied, not wanting him to get concerned. I looked into his eyes and could see a faint flicker of understanding, mixed with worry.

"Dad, please don't worry about me," I added, feeling the weight of my words. "I promise I'll figure things out." His hand stopped shaking for a moment, and I took it as a sign that he was trying to reassure me, even in his silence.

The room felt heavy with unspoken words, but I knew that I needed to stay strong for both of us. "I will make sure to take care of myself, just like you taught me and you don't have to worry about anything because your bills are paid and it will continue to be paid for as long as you will fine." The tears threatened to spill over, but I blinked them back.

"Anyway, I have to go now. I really wish I could spend more time with you, but I can't," I said, my voice tinged with regret. I leaned down and kissed his hand gently before I stood up to leave. Just as I was about to walk away, I turned back to look at Dad, surprisingly relieved that he wasn't completely panicking. "Before I leave, I think I should tell you who my husband is," I said, gathering my breath and trying to steady my nerves. "It's Alpha Malik."

The moment I said his name, I saw Dad begin to tremble, his body shaking as he made muffled noises as if he were trying desperately to say something. His eyes widened in disbelief, and I could hear the machines around him start to beep more frantically, the sounds escalating into alarms that echoed in the room. It was clear that Dad's blood pressure was rising.

I screamed out for the doctor and quickly rushed to Dad's side, panic flooding my chest. "Dad, please, just breathe," I urged, gripping his hand tightly. The door swung open, and the doctor rushed in, swiftly assessing the situation. I felt helpless as I watched the medical staff work to stabilize him, my heart racing with fear. "Stay with me, Dad," I whispered, tears streaming down my face. "I need you to stay with me."

"Ma'am, you need to move away," the doctor said firmly, his voice cutting through the tension in the room. I quickly stepped aside, my heart racing as I watched him lean over Dad, trying to assess the situation. Every beat of my heart felt like a drum, pounding harder as I saw the worry etched on the doctor's face. He was trying to calm Dad down, but despite his efforts, the panic only seemed to escalate. Finally, he turned to me, his brow furrowed in concern. "What did you tell him that's got him panicking?"

"I told him I got married to Alpha Malik," I replied, my voice trembling slightly. The doctor's eyes widened in disbelief, and for a moment, he was silent, just staring at me as if he were trying to process the weight of my words. "Alpha Malik?" he questioned, and I nodded, feeling a mix of pride and fear at the mention of his name.

"Yes, do you know him?" I asked

"Everyone knows him," he said, shaking his head slightly as if the very thought was overwhelming. Just then, I heard a horn blaring from outside. I turned toward the window, and my heart sank as I spotted the Alpha men arriving, a reminder that I had to leave soon.

I took a deep breath and glanced back at Dad, who looked frail and vulnerable lying there. I walked over to him, my heart aching, and kissed his hand softly. "I have to go now, Dad," I said gently, trying to convey my love and the urgency of the moment. But as I turned to leave, Dad clasped my hand tightly, his grip firm and desperate, as if he were trying to hold me to him. It was the first time he held me like that, and it struck me deeply-he was trying to stop me, perhaps from leaving him behind.

I struggled to pull my hand away, but he wouldn't let go. His eyes were brimming with tears, and seeing that pain in his gaze shattered my heart. I leaned down and kissed his forehead, whispering, "I just have to leave, Dad."

With great reluctance, I tugged his hands off mine and turned around to leave. Every step away from him felt like a piece of my heart was being left behind. I walked out of the room, my heart pounding out of my rib cage, gripped by fear-not just of leaving Dad, but also of heading toward a man I barely knew, now calling him my husband.