Rivals In Love (Wild Creek Ranch Book 5)

Chapter Nineteen

Georgia drove home, worried about how to complete her project on her own, now that Ryan had opted out. She would have to check Ryan's share of the topics and then start her research. She was very upset with Ryan's behavior, but she couldn't really complain, knowing that he was just looking out for his family's welfare. After what her brothers had done to him and his family, it was normal human behavior to react the way he did. She didn't bear any grudge against him.

She drove home and saw that her dad was sitting in the living room, looking somewhat unwell. She walked in and sat down beside him. "Are you feeling sick again, Dad?" she asked with concern. He nodded.

"No, Georgia, I'm not very well. I know I won't be there for long. I need to talk to you. It's urgent," he said, massaging his chest slowly.

"Do you want me to talk to the doctor? How are you feeling, Dad?" Her dad shook his head.

"No, nothing, just sit with me for a while. I need to talk to you," he said with a grave expression on his face.

Georgia waited for him to say what he wanted to say to her. "Georgia, I know I haven't been a good father to you, and neither have I been a good husband to your mom. All my life, I have been selfish and have treated both of you badly," he sighed.

Georgia was silent. She knew it was the hard truth. When he was in good health, her dad had never realized her mom's worth and he had always been partial towards her brothers. He had always been blind to their faults. It had hurt her since childhood and now she had become used to it so much that it didn't affect her any longer.

"It doesn't matter any longer, Dad. I know you don't like me. You did what you thought was right and I've grown used to everything," she shrugged. Her dad shook his head, his eyes holding a strange sadness.

"Forgive me if you can, Georgia. I'll understand if you cannot, but I have little time on my hands. I can feel my body giving up on me." Georgia didn't know what to say.

"Nothing will happen to you, Dad. You don't need to feel guilty about anything. I have nothing against you. I've accepted that I'm a misfit in this family."

"I don't have the will to live after what happened today. All my life, I had loved and supported your brothers more than anyone else, but now when I'm so unwell, Brian and Greg fought with me, compelled me to sign the property and business over to them. I know it's late, but their selfishness has opened my eyes. I tried to apologize to Rose since morning, but she has slipped into a coma today since the infection has spread from her lungs to the rest of her body," he said, covering his face with remorse.

"Mom's condition has deteriorated because of your neglect, Dad. It's no use apologizing to her now. She can't hear you," said Georgia with a sigh. She just couldn't find it in her heart to forgive him for what he did to her mom. As for her brothers, they deserved what they got. He had supported them in all their wrongdoings all his life and he received what he got in return. He had trained them that way and now when they are cruel, selfish, and criminal-minded, just like he was before. There was no point cribbing about it.

Her dad sighed. "I know. I've wronged her," he said, looking dejectedly at his hands.

"As for Brian and Greg, they're just the way you wanted them to be, Dad. You supported them in everything, every wrong, every crime. So I'm really not surprised at all," she shrugged. Her dad nodded.

"Yes, you're right," he said with a sigh. "Since I don't have time at hand, I've divided all my assets into three equal halves, and I've deposited your share into your bank account. They wanted the business for themselves, so I've deposited money instead into your account. I know you wouldn't want to be a part of it and run the business along with them," said her dad.