Father's House

SELENE'S POV

I tried to regain fragments of my sanity as I pulled my boxes into my father’s living room. The sight of the familiar house filled me with a strange mix of nostalgia and trepidation.

During the taxi ride, I’d felt a flicker of joy at the thought of returning home, but now that I was here, it was hard to shake the unease that crept up my spine.

This was my second chance, a chance to right every wrong, to make better decisions than I had in the past.

The servants informed me that my father hadn’t returned from the office yet, so I seized the opportunity to unpack and settle in.

The moment I entered my room, a wave of memories washed over me. It was just as I had left it, as though time had stood still.

My fingers traced the edge of a nature-themed portrait on the wall a gift from my father ten years ago, bought at an auction because he knew how much I loved the outdoors.

The image seemed to pull at something deep within me, and an ache began to throb at my temples.

I sat on the bed, pressing my fingers to my forehead to ease the dull pain. My vision blurred slightly as flashes of the past flickered in my mind. A voice interrupted my thoughts.

“Ma’am Selene, are you okay?”

The voice sent chills down my spine. It was Leia, one of the maids. Her voice unmistakable, triggered a vivid memory from my past life. It was this same voice I had heard before everything went wrong.

I blinked at her, struggling to conceal my unease, and managed a weak nod.

She left when I didn’t respond further, but her presence lingered in my thoughts.

The sound of a car horn jolted me from my reverie and peering out the window, I saw my father’s Maybach pulling into the driveway and my heart swelled with relief as I dashed down the stairs and out the door.

When he stepped out of the car, I flung myself into his arms, tears streaming uncontrollably down my face.

“How have you been, my darling?” he asked, his voice soothing and warm.

But I couldn’t bring myself to speak I just clung to him, sobbing, letting all my pent-up emotions pour out. It was a reunion I never thought I’d get to experience again.

After what felt like an eternity, I pulled back and examined his face. “How have you been, Dad? Are you okay? Has anyone hurt you? How’s your health?”

He chuckled softly. “That’s enough, Selene. You’re overwhelming me. Let’s go inside, shall we?”

Inside, he gestured for me to sit beside him on the couch. “What’s going on? You don’t seem like yourself. Did something happen with Mathew?”

I couldn’t answer. How could I explain that I was living a second life? That in my past, Mathew had killed him? It would sound insane. Instead, I forced a smile. “You should freshen up, Dad. Dinner will be ready soon.”

He gave me a long, searching look but didn’t press further. Once he left the room, I let out a shaky breath, my mind racing. I couldn’t shake the sense of foreboding.

Memories of the past were beginning to resurface, more vivid than ever.

When dinner was announced, I reluctantly joined my father at the dining table as Leia brought in a tray of food, her movements calm and efficient, but the sight of her serving the pasta triggered another flash of memory.

I saw myself eating this same meal, then doubling over in pain, coughing up blood, and miscarrying.

The memory hit me like a physical blow, leaving me frozen.

“Hold on, Dad,” I said, my voice trembling. He paused, his fork hovering mid-air. “Leia, taste the food,” I ordered, my gaze sharp and unyielding.

Leia hesitated, her expression turning wary. “Ma’am?”

“Selene, what’s this about?” my father interjected, frowning.

“Just do it,” I snapped, my voice rising. “Why are you hesitating? Is there something in it?”

The room seemed to close in around me as another memory surged forward. I saw a shadowy figure laughing while I writhed in agony, blood pooling around me.

The pain was so real, so raw, that it took everything in me not to crumble right there.

Leia’s face paled, and she stammered, “I-I didn’t”

“Get out!” I shouted, my voice echoing through the room. “You’re fired!”

She fled without another word, and my father stood, his face etched with confusion and concern. “Selene, what’s going on?”

“I can’t trust her,” I muttered, shaking my head. “I can’t” My voice broke, and I sank into a chair, trembling. He placed a comforting hand on my shoulder.

“Let’s order something else to eat,” he suggested gently. I nodded, unable to find my voice.

As we waited for the food to arrive, he pulled me into a warm embrace. “Whatever it is, Selene, you can tell me. You’re safe here.”

I wanted to believe him. I wanted to tell him everything, but the words wouldn’t come.

For now, I could only hold onto the hope that I could rewrite the ending to this story, starting with protecting him.

Later the cleaner came in to get rid of the mess I made on the floor and after a while, our order arrived.

So we returned to our seats and ate in silence, enjoying the meal.

And I was extremely famished and I consumed the meal like a starved lioness, making my dad chuckle but I couldn't care less my dad had seen me in more embarrassing situation.

The peace and serenity however was interrupted by a phone call and I glanced at the screen.

I immediately recognized the number as one of Matthew's business contacts that I had forgot to blockwith a hiss and roll of my eyes I cut the call and returned back to continue devouring my food

But the phone rang again and I sighed angrily before turning off the phone. “Isn't that your husband calling?” My dad asked and I denied blatantly.

“It's a call from someone I don't want to have a conversation with,” I lied and I knew he didn't believe it but he didn't press further.

When we were done eating, he put the dishes aside and sat adjacent to me, peering deeply into my eyes like he was in search of something and I wondered what he was up to.

“Dad, is there something on my face? Why are you staring at me?” I asked when it became too intense.

“I want you to tell me nothing but the truth. What exactly happened between you and Mathew?” He asked the particular question I was trying to avoid and I looked away immediately, to avoid meeting his gaze.