Page 144 of Under Your Scars

“Edwin, look at me,” I demand. The old man’s lucid for the first time since Thanksgiving. I don’t have time to beat around the bush and I don’t have time for bullshit. “Did you know my father killed Diana Young and her two kids?”

Edwin looks at me, and his face goes ghost white, telling me everything I need to know. I walk around in a small circle, rubbing the stubble on my jaw. I prop my fists on the edge of his bed and lean over.

“Why thefuckdidn’t you tell me my father was a murderer? You lied to me my whole fucking life. You let me believe he was this perfect, lawful man that loved my mom. Lovedme! But he was so obsessed with another woman that he killed her when he couldn’t have her!”

“I did what I thought was best,” Edwin whispers.

“Best for who? Because it sure as hell wasn’t for my sake!”

Edwin slow blinks. “Please don’t yell at me. I don’t feel well.”

“Don’t try and change the subject,” I growl, pointing at him again. “Answer the question.”

He settles into his bed and tugs the covers up to his chest. He smacks his lips together and looks at me. His face screams guilt and regret. “I thought it was better if I didn’t ruin the last memories you had of your parents. You were already so angry at the world.” He smacks his chapped lips again. “How did you find out?”

Seething, I growl through gritted teeth. “Because Elena is the daughter of the man that fucking killed them!” I sit in the chair and pinch the bridge of my nose. “Fuck,Edwin.”

“Are you mad at me?” he asks quietly.

“Yes,” I grit out. “Yes, I’m mad at you. Are there any other skeletons in my father’s closet I should know about?”

Edwin shakes his head. “No. Does Elena know about this?”

“No, she doesn’t, and we’re keeping it that way. It’s better that she doesn’t get caught in the crossfire,” I mumble, though my angel couldn’t be any more in the middle of this shitstorm if I dragged her there by her wings.

Edwin’s head snaps towards me so quickly that for a second, I’m scared he broke it. He scowls for the first time in decades and points at me right back. “You don’t get to be mad at me for keeping secrets when you’re doing the same thing.”

I ball my fists up and my face turns red with fury, because he’s right, but I’ll be damned if I admit it.I fucking hate when he’s right. I scoff angrily.

“Fuck that.I think I have every right to be pissed that the man I’ve trusted for my entire life has turned out to be a goddamn liar. Elena is the only person in my life who has never let me down. I don’t need your bullshit anymore, Edwin. I have her, and she’s all that matters to me now.”

As I leave the room, Edwin calls after me, sounding out of breath and tired.

“What?” I call back, without turning around.

“Will you do a puzzle with me?”

I scoff. “Do it yourself,” I sneer, and then slam the door shut behind me.

CHAPTER 43

THE ANGEL

“Hey…um, it’s me. Well, of course it’s me. You saw my name on your phone screen…which is probably why you’re ignoring it. Look, just…just call me, okay? I miss you.”

“I don’t understand why you’re still ignoring me! I just want to talk to you! Please!”

“I saw on the news this morning that you were awarded Clinician of the Year. For the tenth year in a row. Congrats. That’s really exciting. I….Please, dad. Please just call me back. We’ve never gone this long without talking. I know it’s only been a few days, but it’s killing me. I just really need to hear your voice. Please.”

“Is this really how you want to lose another daughter? Fine. This is the last time I’ll ever call.”

“Please…”

I’m sorry. Mailbox full. Goodbye!

I’m sorry. Mailbox full. Goodbye!

I’m sorry. Mailbox full. Goodbye!