Forbidden

Chapter seventy-four

"I came here for you! To get you out of his claws. He restricts your freedom and you still want to be here? With him?!" he yelled, then calmed down, his eyes get gentle a great contrast from seconds ago, "Listen Livy, he has manipulated you. He has a cunning little mind. You don't know the things I know, otherwise you would be running from him not defending him!! Don't you understand?" his hands are gesturing and he's nervous like I am when I'm scared for the people I care.

"No you don't understand. I can't leave him." I didn't know if I was faking my determination.

"He's a criminal!!! He has killed people, threatened women, children, stolen and done things that you didn't even know could be done. I will be damned if I let him anywhere near you or touch you! I'll break every single bone he has if you don't fucking come with me as of this second! I was sparing this for later but I will end his life right here before your eyes if you stay next to him! Did you hear me young lady?"

I know he's serious, if he does I will be devastated. He would mark his hands with blood just for me. "No. I don't want you to do it. I care for him. I can't explain it."

"That's because it's Stockholm Syndrome." my father retorted with disgust, he snarled. It pains me to have this reminder of my father from now that will haunt me in my sleep instead like it always had been, he loved and cared for me. Now though...he looked bony and exhausted, like he had aged with my absence. "I should have been here a lot earlier. I can't really blame you. You're too young and naïve. You never had a boyfriend to see the difference." he seethed merciless. My eyes well with tears, hearing the words I knew every sane person would tell me.

"No! I'm not that stupid." I don't trust myself right now. He knows what he's doing by saying this to me. He's filling me with doubts and it makes me go on defense mechanism. I don't know what I would say to him but it would be bad.

"By the way you're throwing a fit like a little girl, it sure seems like it!!" His voice rose with each word. I yelp.

"She's not a girl." Zayn spoke for the first time, he's protectively standing next to me before he takes a daring step closer to my father to test him and provoke him. I knew that look on Zayn's face. He was a second away from revealing what he does to me behind scenes..."She's actually-"

"I..." I cut him off, Zayn's head swiveled to me and he squints his eyes at me, I had to react fast, "I love him." my voice was honest sounding and that scared me.

There's silence. It drags on for eternity it seemed, Zayn has a proud and smug smile on his face staring at me then dad, though he knows it's for show he seemed to enjoy it too much. My father looked like his worst nightmare got real, he closed his eyes in hurt.

The second surprise happened.

My father swept his hand swiftly across my face, the slapping sound was loud and the blow made me see stars and blurry shapes with black dots as my hair whipped around and my head turned slightly to the side.

"Take it back!" he's absolutely livid, his weary face sullen and the only word I could describe the tone of his voice is abomination. A muffled whimper escaped my tightened lips, my blurry eyes holding back tears. Zayn is already in his face but I entwine our hands and pull him back.

"But I do." I hoarsely reply. What terrified me is that I didn't know if I lied or not.

What the heck is wrong with me?

"How dare you say that to your father?! What has this asshole done to you?! You're not my daughter! I watched your mum have you, then saw you grow up by my side! I don't recognize you anymore..." he told me loudly and clear, his words pierce holes in my chest, I was having a hard time to not cry because if I don't Zayn will hurt him for this, "How dare you want him over your family? Your poor mother is worried sick back home! That woman hasn't slept in months and is crying for you every minute! Meanwhile you're having a blast with him all the time while I have been traveling the world to come and get you back..." he had only started, I was sobbing so hard not holding in, hoping God would forgive, Zayn was itching to punch him but I keep my hand on his, "But look where you are; wearing flimsy clothes while you are degrading yourself to be his whore after only five months!!!"