Chapter 129: Privileges you handed her
"Oh, Lucius! I didn’t expect to see you here." Darius rose from his seat as Lucius entered the office, right on Layla’s heels.
"I thought I’d pay my respects to my father-in-law," Lucius replied smoothly, his gaze resting briefly on Layla.
Darius, however, wasn’t convinced. He knew full well why Lucius was really there—it was always about Layla. Keeping his expression neutral, he gestured to a chair. "Please, make yourself comfortable."
Lucius, ever the gentleman, first pulled out a chair for Layla, who took her seat without a word. "Now that I’ve greeted my father-in-law, I’ll wait for Layla outside," Lucius said, giving her one last glance before excusing himself from the office.
Once he was gone, Darius turned his attention back to Layla. Folding his hands together on the desk, he softened his tone, carefully choosing his words. "I think you should know that Orabela has left home. Things have been... tense, to say the least. We discussed this earlier, but you didn’t seem concerned." He hesitated, then added, "I’d like you to consider visiting your mother. She’s not doing well."
Layla’s eyes narrowed slightly. "Why did Orabela leave?" she asked, her voice steady but carrying a touch of skepticism. "Didn’t you raise her as your own daughter? And yet, you cast her out so easily?"
Her tone wasn’t sympathetic—she simply wanted to see the truth behind her parents’ decisions.
Darius sighed, meeting her gaze. "Layla, the past is more complicated than it seems. But tell me... have you ever wondered why I never sent you away? You have seen your grandmother’s behavior toward you from a young age. Yes, I was a bad father, who failed to protect you," he took a brief pause as he let out a deep sigh.
"I’ve asked myself that question many times, Dad," Layla replied, her voice laced with bitterness. "But the answer’s always been the same—you never wanted me. Even after knowing I was your child with Seraphina, the woman you loved, it didn’t matter. Whatever conclusion I reached, it was always clear. I was treated that way because you never wanted me."
"That’s not true," Darius responded quietly, though his voice wavered.
"Don’t be ridiculous," Layla shot back, her tone hardening. "I’ve seen your disdain, felt it every single day. The cruel words, the scorn—they were always aimed at me, and you never held back."
Darius sighed, leaning forward with a weary look in his eyes. "I admit it, Layla—I hurt you," he said, his voice thick with regret. "But my harshness wasn’t out of hatred. I thought... if I kept you close, if you were always before my eyes, you’d be safer. If I’d openly accepted you as my daughter back then, it could’ve stirred too many questions, brought too many risks. And I didn’t want you sent away, far off to the countryside. I felt it would be dangerous for you there, away from the protection of this family."