"Why are you here?" Aria demanded. Her sunken sky-blue eyes, shadowed with dark circles, narrowed in disbelief. She couldn't understand why the man who had abandoned her for years would show up at her mother's burial.
"Aria…" Richard Dawson took a step toward her.
"No!" Aria quickly backed away, raising a finger to warn him not to come any closer.
"Aria, please," he said softly. "I know you think I abandoned you, but I didn't. I can explain everything if you just give me a chance."
"I don't care please leave!!" Aria yelled at him with a broken voice
"I will Aria but please just listen to what I have to say, just this once"
Aria hesitated, breathing unevenly, then finally gave a small nod. She would hear what he had to say, then she never want to see his face again.
Richard smiled, relieved to even have her attention.
"Can we talk in my car?"
Rowan tensed beside her, his eyes locked on Richard.
"Aria, I don't trust this man," he muttered.
"As long as you're here, nothing will happen to me," she whispered back, forcing a small smile.
Aria followed Richard to his car, she guessed he must be living a good life seeing his expensive sleek black Range Rover. A bodyguard bowed respectfully before opening the door. When it closed behind her, she and Richard were alone inside. The tinted windows made everything feel darker, smaller.
"Aria, I'm sorry about your mother," Richard said quietly.
Aria didn't respond. She lowered her gaze, anxiously fiddling with her fingers.
"I want you to know that I never abandoned you," he continued. "When your mother and I divorced, she gained custody of you... And she developed a great hatred for me. She wouldn't let me see you or help take care of you. She rejected every money I sent for your upbringing."
Aria's eyes shot up.
"Why are you lying? My mom would never do that."
"I have proof of every transfer," he replied, his voice tight. "But that's not what matters now. I want you to live with me. Your stepmom, your stepsister, and your stepbrother are all eager to meet you."
"What are you even talking about, that is never going to happen" Aria scrunched up her face.
"Aria, you're in your second year in university, right? Don't ask how I know, of course I keep tabs on my daughter." He lifted his hands slightly, hoping to clear any misunderstanding."
"I promise to take care of you. I'll pay for your education, I know your mother would be very happy from where she is, seeing you living comfortably, not struggling." Richard paused
"Just give me this chance to prove myself as a good father I also
Aria stared at her father, tears gathering in her eyes. She slowly nodded gently, she knew she didn't have a choice.
Who was going to take good care of her with her mother gone, not even her part time jobs can pay her school fees.
When her mom got sick this year, she had to quit her job to stay at home, and she yet to pay for this semester, maybe this is a good opportunity for her.