If Only

Chapter Twenty-One: Chained

"Jade, please... you don't have to be so harsh on your dad. That's rather unfair. He's just-" She began, but I cut her off.

"He's what? He's just... him? Doing his thing? So what now? He gets to be tough on me, but I can't?" I raised my voice, unintentionally broadcasting my frustration, forgetting Jared was still in my room, hearing every word.

My mom closed her eyes briefly, as if regaining composure. Frustration and hurt colored her brown eyes when she reopened them, looking reddish, teetering on the brink of tears.Her pain tugged at my heartstrings, agonizing to witness. Though my words may have wounded her, my intentions rooted in concern for my dad were clear. Yet, I wondered why she consistently shielded him and painted him positively in my eyes.

Everyone knew I was a legacy, destined for an arranged marriage, continuing our families' history of wealth.

"Jade, he's still your father," her voice cracked.

I shrugged. "No one can change that. But perhaps he could've, if he had started acting like one a few years back," I retorted bitterly. The look on my mother's face was priceless. She called my name, attempting to reprimand me. She continued to ramble, but I turned my back, firmly closing and locking the door.

Guilt clawed at my conscience for pushing her away, but I couldn't bear to hear more about my father.

After I closed the door, my mom knocked insistently. I refused to yield and open it. Guilt tugged, but my resolve held firm.

"Jade! Please open the door. Let's talk about this... your dad, he's just... he's just misunderstood..."

Misunderstood?

I couldn't fathom how she could defend him when his true nature was glaringly obvious.

"We can discuss this, Jade... come sit with me in the kitchen, please," my mom implored. I teetered on the verge of giving in, but my resolve held. Though skilled at persuasion, this was about my dad, and I had to stand my ground.

"Mom, please... I just need some time alone right now," I mirrored her pleading tone, hoping it would deter her.

Confronting my mom left me with guilt, but I couldn't let my ego be tarnished when it came to my father.

He had the freedom to do as he pleased, abandoning me whenever he wished. The chance for amends was lost when he skipped Gramps' funeral.

"Mom, please..." I pleaded, leaning against the door. My gaze shifted to Jared, seated on the bed. His hands rested on his knees, and he looked at me, his expression inscrutable. Our eyes briefly met, but I focused on the pillow beside him.

An eerie silence filled the room. Eventually, my mom sighed, her voice laden with fatigue. "Okay," her footsteps faded away.

Regret lingered for confronting my mom, but I approached Jared. Surprisingly, he opened his arms, inviting me in. I nestled into his chest, guided to sit on his lap.

It was almost comical how I rested on him, cradled like a baby.

His warm embrace created a cocoon of comfort, making movement seem impossible.

Savoring the tranquility, the only sound was Jared's steady heartbeat, a contrast to my racing one.

Jared shattered the silence. "Daddy issues?" His soft, deep murmur and gentle fingers traced patterns through my hair. I noticed my locks had grown past my collarbones, their waves taking shape.

"Tell me about it," I sighed, the tone almost whining.

"Something we have in common," he chuckled, his laughter resonating against me.