Chapter 4 Please Just Disappear Claire.

Victor looked shocked. “What?” His hand fell from his cheek.

“Why didn’t you change the lock code? You knew I had it. If you didn’t want me to come here, you could have just changed the code. Why didn’t you change it?”

For a moment, Victor went quiet.

Then he shook it off. “I’m doing that right away. I’m going to change the code.”

Then he ran his hand through his hair. Then he looked at me and said, “Please, Claire.”

I looked at him.

“Please leave me alone,” he begged through his rage. “I hate you so much that I wish you would just disappear. Please. Just disappear.”

I looked into his eyes, and in that moment, I realised how much Victor truly hated me.

My body started shaking. I started having hiccups. I couldn’t stop them. The tears that rolled down my cheeks were hot.

“I’ll disappear,” I managed to say. “If that’s what you really want. I promise. You’ll never see me again.”

I had really made my decision, and then I turned and walked out the door. One quiet step after another step.

…

The alarm woke me up in the tiny apartment I shared with my dad. I wanted to sleep more, but I couldn’t. I kicked the blanket off my legs and sat up, grumpy and rubbing my eyes. Another day.

I was twenty-four now. Five years had passed since Bonnie died, but some mornings, it still felt like it happened yesterday.

I got up and walked into the sitting room. Dad was already awake, sitting in his old chair and watching the news on our small TV. He smiled when he saw me.

“Morning, my child,” he said, his voice a little rough. “You sleep okay?”

“Not really,” I said, smiling a little as I handed him his morning pills and a glass of water. “But I’ll be fine.”

He took the pills, like he always did. “You work too hard at that shop. I wish I could do more.”

I shook my head. “We’re in this together, Dad. The fried chicken shop is ours. We’ll keep it going.”

We had opened a small restaurant right in front of our house five years ago. Bonnie had helped us a lot back then — giving us money for Dad’s medical bills and some startup cash. I never really felt how poor we were when she was around. Now I did. And sometimes I wondered if that was why I let her use my name so many times. Was it because I loved her too much, or because I was also taking from her — from Victor’s money? I still didn’t know the answer. But Victor was right. I was a bad influence. I was an enabler. If I hadn’t covered for her all those times, maybe she wouldn’t have been so reckless. Maybe she would still be alive.

I missed her so much it hurt.

I sat next to Dad for a moment, and then I stood up, and while I was leaving, I heard the news playing from the TV. I turned back.

”Victor was on the screen.

He looked different now. Thirty-four years old. More powerful. He was one of the youngest and most successful CEOs in the World. I had once dreamed of working in his firm before I had to drop out of school to help Dad run the shop.

My heart dropped. He was still so handsome, even on TV. Those grey eyes. That serious face. But something looked off. He seemed tired and stressed.

The interviewer asked him, “Do you have a girlfriend, Mr. Cavendish?”

Victor smiled a little. “Yes. She’s the love of my life.”

It hit me like a punch in the stomach. Tears filled my eyes before I could stop them.

The interviewer leaned in. “Who is she? When can we expect a wedding?”

Victor’s smile stayed small. “That’s a secret for now. But maybe soon.”

He looked straight at the camera then, like he was talking to someone only he could see. “To my love… thank you for being patient with me. I can’t wait to make you mine officially.”

Tears fell down my cheeks. I quickly wiped them away.

Dad turned off the TV. “Claire…”

I tried to smile. “It’s okay, Dad.”

He sighed. “I know how much you still like him. Victor is a fool for not seeing how much you cared."

I couldn’t deny it. Dad knew me too well. He had watched me love Victor quietly for years.  After that day in Victor’s house, I kept my promise. I stayed away completely.

I wondered if he ate well. If his headaches had gotten better. If he was lonely. At least I had my dad. Victor had no family member left. I still cared deeply about him but I never approached him. I disappeared just how he wanted me.

I looked down. “Maybe it’s time to really move on. He’s getting married. It’s not going to be me.”

Dad was quiet for a moment, then said, “I hope it doesn’t work out anyway.

“Dad!” I said, surprised.

He looked a little guilty but also stubborn. “I just wish I was some kind of genie so I can magically bring you two together. So you could be happy. At least grant you one wish.”

I moved closer and hugged him. “You make me happy, Dad. Really. Now sit tight. I’ll bring you the first batch of chicken.”

He smiled. “Extra spicy, like I like it.”

I laughed softly. “Yes, Dad.”

I went outside to our small shop in front of the house. The sign read “Papa & Daughter Fried Chicken.”  I started heating the oil and preparing the chicken. A few early customers came by, and I served them with a smile, even though I was tired.

Later in the afternoon, I noticed one of the old shelves shaking. It reminded me how weak Dad had become. He used to fix things like that in minutes. Now, I would have to find someone to help.

I sighed. “I really need to find a way to pay off that loan for Dad’s treatment…”

Just as I said it, the door opened hard. Three loan sharks walked in. The leader looked very angry.

“Where’s our money?” he barked. “We’re done waiting!”

I stepped back, heart racing. “Please, I’ll pay. I just need more time. I promise.”

The leader laughed. “You’ve had enough time. We warned you what would happen if you kept playing games.”

One of the other men started throwing things around — knocking over chairs, pushing tables, making a mess of the counter. “We’re going to burn down this shop now.”

Dad came outside, looking worried. I stepped in front of him. “Dad, go back inside. Please.”

The leader grabbed my arm hard and pulled me toward him. “We’re taking you with us until your father pays up.”

I tried to pull away. “Let me go!”

That’s when a cold, deep voice came from the doorway.

“Let her go.”