Craving My Best Friend's Dad のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 1 - チャプター 10

~MELANIE~The airplane touched down hours ago, but the heaviness in my chest never did.I tried to blame it on jet lag. Or the uncomfortable seat. Or the screaming toddler three rows ahead of us. Anything but the truth sitting like a stone in the middle of my ribcage.Allison kept humming different songs beside me, scrolling through hotels and restaurants we “absolutely have to try,” but my eyes remained glued to the car window as the city lights of Madrid blurred past. Madrid was breathtaking. It carried this soft winter chill that simply brushed your cheeks without sinking into your bones. Different lights hung all over the streets like glowing ribbons, warming the city with gold and red. The air smelled faintly of roasted chestnuts and hot chocolate, and every plaza we drove by was filled with life.Street musicians, small everyday markets, and people wrapped in scarves laughing their way between cafés. It felt festive, bright, and almost magical, as if the whole city was celebrat

~MELANIE~MOM.With hearts and smiley faces. I couldn't even delude myself into thinking she was concerned about my whereabouts because a line of the message was staring at me. A freaking demand for money. My thumb hovered over the notification before it opened on its own, like the universe insisted I see it completely.“You better send some money as soon as possible. Paul is very sick because of your stupid behavior last night. He is traumatized and needs to see a doctor as soon as possible. You need to take responsibility for this. Fix what you caused.”My stomach dropped.There was no Are you okay? No Where are you? No Come home, darling, let's resolve this?Just blame. More blame. Always blame.The words blurred as a tremor shot through my hands. My heart squeezed painfully, like it was trying to fold in on itself and just end this misery.Suddenly I could hear it again. Her screams, her fists, the crack of the shoe hitting my cheek. The cold air slammed into my skin as they th

RAFAELThe first thing I noticed about Melanie Swan was that she did not belong to the kind of light she carried on her face.When she walked in with Allison the day before, she had been smiling, bright and effortless, the kind of beauty that drew attention without trying. Youth clung to her in a way that made everything about her feel alive, from the way she moved to the easy laughter that slipped past her lips. Anyone looking at her would have seen nothing but a carefree girl enjoying a trip with her best friend.I had seen something else.There had been a quiet weight in her eyes, something far too heavy for someone her age. It was not obvious, not something most people would catch in passing, but I had spent too many years reading people to miss it. It lingered beneath the surface, subtle but persistent, like a shadow that refused to leave even under the brightest light.I had met all kinds of people in my lifetime, from those who wore their pain openly to those who buried it so d

RAFAEL I did not need to be standing this close to the hallway to hear them. Their voices carried easily, light and unguarded, drifting through the open space as they made their way toward the front door. My daughter Allison’s excitement came first, bright and animated in a way that filled the house with life. “I’m telling you, we are not leaving Madrid without going to Serrano Street. You haven’t lived until you’ve seen those boutiques. And don’t even get me started on the shoes.” A quieter voice followed, softer but steady. “I don’t think I need anything that expensive. Something simple is fine. I just need a couple of things, not a full wardrobe.” Allison groaned, the sound exaggerated enough to carry. “You are impossible. This is not the time to be sensible. This is the time to look like yo

MELANIE I paused. My name, spoken in that tone, steady and deliberate, stopped me before I could take another step. I turned back slowly, my fingers curling slightly at my sides. “Yes?” “Stay for a moment.” Something in his expression made my chest tighten. Careful. Measured. It made my guard rise instinctively, even though I could not immediately explain why. I nodded slowly and stepped closer, stopping a few feet from the table. “Is everything alright?” I asked, my voice quieter now. He studied me briefly before speaking. “How are you feeling?” The question caught me off guard. “I’m fine,” I replied automatically, then hesitate