She just stood there, making them stand outside—frozen, hesitant. So I opened the door more wide, silently inviting them in to sit on the couch.
"Mom? Dad?" she said as soon as she opened the door.
They just stood there, frozen like statues.
I opened the door wider, watching them closely. They made themselves comfortable and sat down like it was just another visit. But her eyes, the way she stared at them—pure fury. She stood opposite them, arms crossed, chest rising with every breath.
"Why are you here? And more importantly—how the hell did you even know this place?" she yelled.
It was strange. How did they know where she was?
They didn't answer.
"I've told you once, and I'll tell you again—don't keep reappearing like ghosts in my life! Who the hell are you to monitor me? Why did you even adopt me? Did you think of me as some kind of toy you could play with and toss away?"
That's when I heard it.
She was adopted.
What? This was news to me.
Her mother stood up, rage flashing across her face. She raised her hand to slap her.
But she caught it. Swiftly.
"My mom is a bitch. My dad is a bastard, Edwin," she said bitterly.
And honestly? I agreed with her.
Her father got up, furious.
"You bi—"
"I dare you to complete that sentence," I said coldly, stepping forward.
"And who the hell are you to stop me?" he sneered.
"I'm her boyfriend," I said, dead serious.
"Oh wow, another one of your boyfriends, huh?" he scoffed.
He moved toward her. But I stepped between them and grabbed his arm—tight.
"You better leave before I really make you regret this," I warned.
He yanked his hand back and started to walk out, but of course—he had to come back in.
"You are coming home now, Everett!" he barked.
"No. I'm not," she replied firmly.
"You will," he snapped.
"Are you deaf, Mr. Carren? She said no," I said.
"I'm not talking to you, Mr. Rodriguez," he snarled. "I'm talking to this bitch—my daughter. Don't interfere between us!"
"Technically," I said coolly, "she's not your daughter, Mr. Carren."
"I adopted her! I raised her! I gave her a reason to live!" he shouted.
"No," she said, stepping forward. "You're very wrong there, Mr. Carren."
"It was my will to live. My will to search for my real parents. And it's my will to get revenge on you for everything you've done to me."
He scoffed sarcastically. "Revenge, huh? You'll fail."
"He really is a bastard," she said. "No doubt."
"If you leave now, Everett," he threatened, "you're out. I'll remove you from everything. I'm still the CEO of the company. I'll freeze your cards. You'll have nothing."
"Go ahead. Remove me," she said. "I don't want to be a pawn in your shady company anyway. I have better ones waiting for me."
She walked to the drawer, grabbed a folder, and slammed it on the table.
"These are the shares," she said. "Break them. I don't need a penny from you."
She stared him down.
"Let's see who suffers more now—you or me."
God, my girl is incredible. She's fierce. She's strong. She's mine.
She glared at her father as he stood speechless. And I knew—this man was about to live through hell on earth. My girl would make sure of it.
And I'd be right beside her.
"You'd better leave before I call the cops, Mr. Carren," I said.
They turned to leave, but he stopped to help his precious wife up. Both of them were almost out the door when—
"Austin," I called out, "come in."
They froze.
Austin stepped inside.
They shivered at the sight of him like they'd seen a grim reaper coming to collect.
"Why... why are you here?" her so-called parents stammered.
And then?
They ran.