บททั้งหมดของ Hot Daddy’s Best Friend: บทที่ 41 - บทที่ 50

Fiona’s POVMorning came without light; I had shut all my curtains to keep the rays from leaking in.I struggled to open my eyes slowly, but everything still felt dark.My head throbbed. My eyelids burned like I had rubbed spice into them. When I touched my face, my fingers met dry, tight traces of tears that had long stopped flowing but never truly ended inside me.For a few seconds, I didn’t move from the spot I was stuck at, I just stared at the ceiling as the memories of last night started to flash back into my mind.The dinner, Marian’s voice, my father’s surged anger.Jalen in the woods, the way he held me like I was the last piece of importance in his life, like there was no place he would rather be .“We’re done,” the words that slipped out of my dry lips again before I could stop it without regrets. My chest tightened so painfully I had to sit up slowly just to breathe. Then, my hand reached for my phone beside the pillow, I didn’t know why but some part of me hoped that Jal

Fiona’s POVLondon did not know me, and that was the most beautiful thing about my trip. My parents never stopped calling every single time to make me feel loved.No one stared at me with whispers in their eyes. No one recognized my face. No one knew the girl behind the scandal. Here, I was just another quiet girl walking past strangers on busy streets with coffee cups and headphones on beneath my hoodie cap.It felt strange at first.But slowly… It felt satisfying.I started therapy two days after I arrived. The first session was the hardest. I barely spoke. I only listened while the therapist gently talked. I didn't know how to respond yet.“How do you feel when you think about home?”I didn’t answer.“How do you feel when you think about him?”I looked away.But I kept going back and the woman kept welcoming me each time with uplifting words.Each session, I spoke a little more, opening up more and more each time like I was shedding different unwanted parts of me.I began to walk a

Fiona’s POVI woke up with a splash of the same emotions I went to bed with last night.Sunlight slipped through the curtains in thin, golden lines, resting gently on the edge of my bed. I lay there for a while, staring at the ceiling, replaying the previous night in my head.A soft, unfamiliar warmth lived in my chest but my phone rang, breaking the silence and I jerked.It was Mum.I smiled and answered.“My baby, are you enjoying your stay in London?" she asked after the pleasantries. “I really love it here mum, it’s peaceful and kind of matches me with good people,” I explained and I could tell she was beaming behind the phone.“If you want, we can arrange your stay over there if you want to stay,” she suggested. “Um… I'll think about it, Mum, “ I answered. We talked for a while. She asked how I was feeling, if I had eaten, if London was treating me well. Dad’s voice echoed faintly in the background, asking her to put the call on speaker.For the first time in a long time, spe

Fiona’s POV The next morning came with the same sterile smell of disinfectant and quiet beeping machines. I had barely slept, my neck stiff from dozing off in the uncomfortable chair beside Mum’s bed. But I wasn't complaining. The door opened softly. Dad walked in carrying two plastic bags — one with food and the other with a change of clothes for me. His shoulders were slumped, eyes heavy with exhaustion and something bitter. He looked like he had aged ten years overnight. I felt pity for him. It was at this trying time that I knew Dad was a strong man; he had never stayed away from Mum this long. Sometimes I wondered how they managed to love themselves so deeply that they never brought me into it. They were both selfish with their love.“Morning, princess,” he said quietly, forcing a small smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “I brought you some breakfast and clean clothes.” “Thank you, Dad.” I stood up and hugged him. He held me for a long moment, longer than usual, before pull

Fiona’s POVAustin spread his arms without hesitation.For a moment, I just stood there, staring at him. Then my feet moved on their own. I walked straight into his embrace. His arms wrapped around me gently, carefully, like he was afraid I might break. One hand rubbed slow circles on my back while the other held the back of my head.God he smelled really good, like oud and lily, I couldn't bring myself to pull away, I didn't want to. I let myself melt into him.His warmth, I could feel his steady heartbeat, the faint smell of his cologne — everything felt like a safe harbor in the middle of a raging sea. I buried my face in his chest and breathed him in, I felt seen and loved ever since the chaos, I didn’t feel completely alone.We stayed like that until Dad cleared his throat loudly — ugh, sarcastic man, jealous of my love. I wouldn’t blame him, he just lost the love of his life.“Ahem.”We pulled apart quickly and I felt heat rush to my cheeks.“Sorry, sir,” Austin said, stepping b