ra'

g with the impending eruption. Holding my breath, I fought it, wanting to be in control. I didn't want to show any weakness in front of him. But, of course, just as I thought I could manage it, t

There was no time to waste. I could hear my father's movements coming from upstairs, the creak of his footsteps s

me down faster, then I'd go to him. With a final glance towar

silence hung in the air like an unwanted guest. I let out a long sigh,

top, his large frame blocking the light, as though he had all the time in the world.

ng my blood pulse with impatience. He didn't move right aw

voice as gruff as alwa

, my voice crisp, every

g at the corner of his lips. "A favor? From me? W

ze over to the window, where the light was beginning to fade

rst?" I suggested, my tone

armchair opposite the couch. He was trying to figure me out, trying to gauge wheth

t him now. "I want you to tr

of indifference. But I could see the tension in his jaw, the s

n the air like a puzzle. "What shares? Wh

. "Don't play games, father. Y

, calculating expression. "You're not old enough to be playing with these k

kind of laugh I knew would make him uncomfortable. "Ready? Don't talk to

er and power surging through me. He always thought he could

't even know what you're asking for. You're talking

talking down to me like I was some child. I stood

ut with a force I didn't even know I had. "And n

of lightning, but it was there. He hadn't expected me to call him out like this. He hadn't expected me to step up,

side, then back to me. "

d long enough. You sold her off, but you forgot something. I'm your daughter. And this-this i

ron grip he always kept over situations, was slipping. I could taste victory on my tongue

e and demand things from me like you own t

back down

lls playing out between us. He finally broke the silence, his voic

er, my eyes na

ing the consequences. "You're playing a dangerous

ow you'll give me what's mine. I'm done wai

anything, just stared at me with that look of disbelief. And the

this, daughter" he mut

ground. "I'll t