Page 166 of Tied to You

Mollie’s eyes meet mine. The connection intensifies the longer we look at each other. Then, ripping my resolve, she looks away, her head dropping. She’s crying. I can tell by the jerking of her shoulders.

My girl. What have I done?

“He’s a nobody.”

My head slowly turns to look at him. He doesn’t smile. Doesn’t even look satisfied that this is happening to me. There’s no joy at seeing the man who ruined his daughter’s life face to face. He wants me dead. Wants to make sure I suffer. These cuffs aren’t enough.

I get it now. He just wants her back. Wants his daughter to go home. I’m in his way. An obstacle. Remove me, and he gets what he wants.

Chapter Thirty-Four

MOLLIE

Travis made it clear we’re over. I made it clear I wouldn’t choose between him and the baby. Seeing him now hurts on a whole new level.

The commotion outside the room has me covering my ears as best I can, desperately attempting to drown out the sound of Travis bellowing my name. He sounds pained. Angry. Wildly out of control. He’s escorted away like a piece of meat, and that, I know, is my fault. We may be over, but hearing his voice after two days of nothing is a bittersweet pill to swallow.

My attempt to help the club when I knew he wouldn’t show, ended in disaster. I put not only myself and my baby in danger, but everybody else who was there. The answer I got as to why Dean set the place ablaze was simple.He didn’t deserve another chance to hurt you again.I didn’t ask any more questions after that. I understood what I was being told.

Matthew is dead. His body destroyed by the fire. Dean couldn’t let him walk away after what he did to me. Matthew would have jeopardised club business had Dean let him live. Even I can see that. I get his way of thinking, but it doesn’t take away the guilt I feel. He hurt me, more than once. And he paid with his life. Is that just? Did he deserve to have his life taken for what he did? Deep down I really don’t think he did, but what’s the point of arguing with outlaws.

The room door opens with a slight creak, making me turn my head. I lower my hands steadily, seeing my dad, knowing Travis must now be gone.

He looks me over then makes his way to my bed, sitting carefully on the edge by my feet. Not too close. Not too far away.

I hold my breath. I haven’t been here long, but I know my dad. I know hewould have requested a private room for me the moment he arrived. I heard Henry outside my room and my dad sending him away, reassuring him that I was okay and that he’d keep him updated. I also heard him arguing with Dean. Heard him calling the police.

Dean will be in so much trouble.

My fault.

Hanging my head in shame, I hear my dad take a breath. “They’ve gone.”

A cloud of sorrow sits above me. I haven’t spoken properly with him for so long. So much has changed since the night of the wedding when I last saw him. So much has changed since the night I told him I was getting married.Was.“You got what you wanted.” I look down at my arm still in the sling.

“Believe me, none of this is what I wanted.”

I briefly look up to him. “I don’t believe you.”

“You don’t have to.” He moves himself closer, shuffling toward me on the bed. “But it’s the truth.”

I see him think about taking my free hand in his. “Why the change of heart?”

“Darling, all I have ever wanted is for you to be happy.”

I blink and a tear falls. I quickly swipe it away. “You have a funny way of showing it.”

His voice suddenly sounds thick. “I know. And for that, I’m sorry.”

He’s made me feel like thinking about myself was a crime. “You are?”

Our eyes meet. “Yes.”

I daren’t blink in case I miss anything. “Then why be so hard on me? Why did you always push me to breaking point? I never wanted to be like you. I never wanted to go to university and be like those people. I never wanted any of it. You knew that, and yet you never listened.”

“Darling—”

“Please, save it.” I can’t handle another argument. I can’t take anymore rejection. My heart’s beating too fast in my chest, the idea of having this baby on my own becoming unbearable. Does he know he’s going to be a grandad?