Chapter 5:Slept With My Best friend's Dad

I quickly picked up a cab and rushed out. I knew I couldn’t wait to meet someone I could call stepdad… or maybe even daddy.

I just wanted to meet someone who would treat me like a daughter.

I just wanted to feel the warmth of having a father. That kind of warmth… it was something I had never truly felt in my life.

Just the thought of it made my chest feel light, like maybe something good was finally coming my way.

I rushed into the cab without looking back. My head was still pounding badly from the drinks I had last night. Every small sound felt too loud, and the sunlight outside made my eyes hurt.

“Where to, miss?” the driver asked.

I told him my address, and he drove off immediately.

I leaned my head against the window, closing my eyes for a moment. All I could think about was Tessa’s father. My new dad too… maybe.

I just hoped he would like me.

The drive back home felt longer than usual. My fingers kept twisting the edge of my bag, and my heart beat nervously.

It was the most nervous drive I had ever taken since I was born.

Never for once had I felt this way before.

But then another thought crept into my mind.

Mrs. Harrison.

I had ignored her calls yesterday. She must be very angry with me. I didn’t even know what I was going to tell her.

There was no way I would tell her the truth.

There was no way I would say I had slept with a stranger.

She would be furious. Disappointed. Maybe she would even throw me out of the house.

I shook my head quickly.

“No, stop thinking about silly things,” I muttered to myself. “Just focus on getting home.”

Soon, the cab stopped in front of the familiar gate.

I paid the driver and stepped out. My heart began to beat faster again as I walked toward the door.

The moment I entered the house, Mrs. Harrison’s sharp eyes landed on me.

“Emily!” she snapped. “Where did you go last night?”

Her voice was cold and full of anger.

“I… I told you. I had work,” I replied softly.

“Work?” she scoffed. “Do you think I’m a fool? You didn’t even pick up my calls. This is not a hotel. You don’t come and go as you please.”

I lowered my head.

“I’m sorry,” I said quietly.

She crossed her arms. “You better behave yourself today. Tessa’s father is coming. Don’t embarrass this family.”

My chest tightened at her words.

This family.

Even after all these years, she still spoke like I didn’t belong here.

“I understand,” I said.

Just then, I noticed someone sitting on the couch.

Tessa.

She was leaning back comfortably, chewing gum and pressing her phone like nothing had happened. Like yesterday didn’t exist.

The moment I saw her face, the memories rushed back.

Gabriel on top of her.

Her cruel words.

Her smirk.

My hands clenched into fists.

Anger burned inside me, but I couldn’t say anything. Not here. Not now.

I just stood there, staring at her.

She didn’t even look at me. She just kept pressing her phone and blowing small bubbles with her gum.

Like I was invisible.

My chest hurt again.

Without a word, I turned and walked toward my room. I needed space. I needed air.

Inside my room, I dropped my bag on the bed and sat down for a moment.

Everything felt heavy again.

But before I could think too much, I heard noise coming from downstairs.

A car door.

Footsteps.

Voices.

My heart skipped a beat.

“He’s here,” I whispered.

I quickly stood up and rushed downstairs.

The moment I reached the living room, I saw Tessa running toward the door.

A tall, well-dressed man had just stepped inside.

Tessa threw herself into his arms.

“Daddy! I missed you!” she cried happily.

He wrapped his arms around her and smiled softly.

“I missed you too, my daughter,” he said. “I came to see how my love is doing.”

His voice was deep and calm.

Mrs. Harrison stood in the corner, silent. She didn’t even walk up to him. She just watched them from a distance, her lips pressed together.

She always had a way of acting childish around him.

I stood a few steps away, watching them.

My heart felt strangely warm.

So this is Tessa’s father…

I slowly stepped closer.

He was still facing Tessa, his back turned to me. I couldn’t see his face clearly.

But there was something about him that felt… familiar.

Then, he gently pulled away from Tessa and turned around.

And the moment I saw his face…

My world stopped.

It was him.

The man from the hotel.

The stranger I slept with last night.

My eyes widened in shock. My heart began to pound loudly in my chest.

No… this can’t be real.

But it was.

It was the same sharp jaw.

The same dark eyes.

The same calm, powerful presence.

The man I spent the night with… was Tessa’s father.

My lips parted slightly.

“So… I slept with my best friend’s dad?” I whispered in disbelief.

At the same time, his eyes met mine.

And he froze.

The warmth in his expression disappeared, replaced by pure shock.

Neither of us spoke.

The air between us became heavy and tense.

Because in that moment, we both realized the truth.

Last night…

We crossed a line that could never be erased.