Trying to erase dad.

CHAPTER FOUR

“Why did you leave me there?”

The voice echoed through the rain.

My chest tightened. “I didn’t,” I whispered. “I tried—”

“My fire,” he called again, his voice breaking. “Why did you leave me?”

I stood frozen as blue flames burned before me. They weren’t violent. They were quiet. Beautiful. Just like they had been that night.

His hand was stretched, he wanted me to come. He needed me to.

I stepped closer, lifting my hand—then the rain came down suddenly. It was heavy and merciless, slamming into my skin like bullets. But the flames didn’t relent, it only grew.

“No,” I whispered. “No! No!”

His silhouette emerged through the fire, reaching for me, his eyes dark and hollow.

“My fire,” he pleaded. “Save me.”

I tried to run. My feet wouldn’t move.

I watched helplessly as the flames swallowed him whole, his screams tearing through the air until—

“No!”

I jolted upright, gasping for breath.

My hands clenched the sheets as my heart pounded wildly against my ribs. My skin was damp with sweat and my eyes burned with tears.

It was just another nightmare.

I shut my eyes, breathing slowly until the shaking stopped.

That’s when I realized something was wrong.

This wasn’t the garden.

I sat up and looked around.

The room was unfamiliar. There soft pink walls, pristine white furniture, a chandelier casting a warm glow over everything. There were no photos or art hanging on the wall.

It was just bare.

Panic crawled into my chest.

How did I get here?

I got off the bed and rushed out, my bare feet hitting the marble floor as I stepped into the hallway.

I just need to find my mum so we’ll talk some more, probably come to a resolution, even though she secretly hates me.

My heart ached at the thought, but I know I deserve it. I killed her husband after all, how could she ever forgive me?

Just as I was about to roam into another room, I heard my name.

“Sapphire.”

I froze.

Jonathan approached from the opposite end of the hallway, smiling warmly like everything in the world was perfectly fine.

“Oh—good morning,” he said. “You must be hungry. We’re about to have breakfast.”

I forced a polite smile. “Good morning.”

He turned toward the stairs. “Come along.”

I followed, not because I wanted to eat, but because I needed to see my mum.

The dining room was enormous.

The table was absurdly long, it was stretched across the room. And there she was.

My mum.

When her eyes caught mine, they were filled with apologies unspoken, like they always were after every argument.

I took the seat opposite her, avoiding her gaze as servers began placing even more dishes on the table.

There was bread, bacon, pancakes, fruits and pastries.

Even a whole roasted pig.

“For breakfast?” I muttered.

Jonathan chuckled. “Lucian won’t be joining us. He had to leave early for work.”

Relief washed over me before I could stop it. Thank God. If I saw that bastard again, I’d probably stab him and shoot him in the head.

“Alright,” he said, clapping his hands lightly. “Let’s eat.”

I stared at the table. “Why is there so much food?”

“So everyone can eat to their satisfaction,” Jonathan replied easily.

“There’s a whole pig on the table,” I said flatly. “Isn’t that excessive?”

“Sapphire—” my mum warned.

He placed his hand on my mum’s. “No, no, let her speak.” Then he smiled.

“Having a seven course meal for breakfast isn’t a hassle to prepare. Wouldn’t you like to have options?” he asked.

“It’s just wastage to me,” I deadpanned. “Just because you have it in excess doesn’t mean you should be wasteful.”

“Sapphire, can you just eat and leave it be?” my mum said sharply.

Jonathan laughed, “It’s okay, my love. I understand she’s not used to this… but eventually she will be.”

I slammed the cutlery on the table, and my mum flinched. “I will not apologize for my middle class ‘poverty stricken’ childhood and I will choose that over and over and over again.”

“What has gotten into you, sapphire??” My mum’s eyes widened.

“This will never be my home, mum. Never. No matter how much food is on the table, or how comfy the beds are. None of that can make me want to live here.” I said.

“And where would you live then? Hm?” My mum asked, “On the streets?? Because the home you long for has been sold!”

“Because you sold it! You!!” I raised my voice.

“Let’s calm down now—” Jonathan tried to soften the tension, but my mum was already as heated as I was—there was no going back from here..

“Do you know how much debt we were in?? Do you know how much damage your father left us in???”

“Damage?? Oh please mum, stop making excuses for your actions!” I scoffed.

I knew she was just trying to paint dad in a bad light, just like grandma always does.

“Every decision I have ever made is for you, sapphire! Why can’t you see that??” Her voice broke at the end, but I didn’t let it move me.

“And why can’t you see that everything you’re doing is only trying to erase him! Like he never fucking existed!!”

“Don’t you dare swear at me sapphire.”

I laughed dryly, and I rose from the table. “I sincerely apologize for speaking, your royal highness, Mrs Castillo.” I said, bowing down in mock sincerity.

She sighed, “Sapphire, please don’t make this harder for me.”

I lifted my head, and caught her eyes, “from where I’m standing, you have it quite easy mum. So easy.”

I walked out of their presence and ran upstairs, my heart pounding in an unspoken sadness.

While I was wiping the tears before they reached the ground, I slammed straight into something solid.

I stumbled back, startled.

Strong hands caught my arms, pinning me gently but firmly against the wall.

And when I looked up, I met those dark eyes.

He was sweaty, clearly just back from training, his expression dark and unreadable.

“Don’t you watch where you’re going?” he asked coolly.

I swallowed. “Excuse me.”

I tried to move past him. He didn’t let me.

“Where do you think you’re going?” he asked, leaning in just enough to block my path.

My heart raced, anger and frustration colliding in my chest.

“Out of your way,” I said.

His lips curved into a humorless smile.

“Funny,” he murmured. “Because it looks like you’re running.”