'I Do' For Revenge Chapter 34: Look Into My Father

"Is that a threat?" I asked, pulling my arm free from my father’s grip.

"It’s advice," he replied coldly. "Take it or leave it."

"I’ll leave it," I said firmly, turning away from him and walking toward the elevator.

My hands were shaking as I pressed the down button. The confrontation had shaken more than I wanted to admit, but it had also confird sothing important: my father was hiding sothing big enough to threaten his own daughter over.

When I reached the parking garage, Axel was leaning against the car, checking his phone. He looked up as I approached, his expression imdiately concerned.

"How is she?" he asked.

"Still unconscious," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "I couldn’t stay long. Visiting hours, you know."

I didn’t ntion the confrontation with my father. Not yet. I needed ti to process what had just happened and figure out my next move.

"Ready to head ho?" Axel asked, opening the passenger door for .

"Yeah," I said, sliding into the seat. "I’m exhausted."

The drive ho was mostly quiet. Axel seed to sense that I needed space to think, and I was grateful for his understanding. But my mind was racing with plans and possibilities.

I couldn’t leave my mother at my father’s rcy, especially if he was sohow responsible for her condition.

I needed to arrange for soone to watch her room and inform the mont she woke up. And I needed to find out exactly what my father had been doing all these years.

The next morning, I made so calls. First, I paid a nurse to discreetly monitor my mother’s hospital room and inform of any changes as soon as they happened. Then, I contacted a private investigator who ca highly recomnded.

"I need you to look into my father, Charles Watson," I told the investigator during our phone consultation. "Financial records, business dealings, associates. Everything you can find from let’s say twenty years ago till now."

"What kind of tiline are we looking at?" he asked.

"As soon as possible."

When Axel offered a few days off work, I declined. "I need to stay busy," I told him. "Sitting around worrying won’t help anyone."

Over the next week, I managed to visit my mother a few tis by timing my visits carefully to avoid my father and Cassandra.

On Wednesday, I was at my desk when my phone buzzed with a text from Erica.

Erica: How are things going with your mom? Any updates?

I typed back quickly: Still unconscious. Family is basically keeping from visiting her properly.

I started to type more about my suspicions regarding my father but stopped myself. I hadn’t even told Axel about that yet. It felt too dangerous to put in writing.

Erica: I’m so sorry babe. I wish I could do sothing to help.

: Thanks. I’m managing.

Erica: Actually, I know a way to cheer you up!

: How?

Erica: Co outside.

I stared at the ssage, confused. Outside where? I typed back.

Erica: Your office building. Just co down.

Puzzled, I grabbed my purse and headed for the elevator. When I stepped outside, I imdiately spotted Erica standing near the building entrance, grinning widely.

"Surprise!" she called out, rushing over to hug .

"What are you doing here?" I asked, still processing her unexpected appearance.

"I got a job in this city," she announced proudly. "I moved here yesterday. Now we can be closer and I can be here for you during all this family drama."

I wasn’t entirely sure how to feel about this developnt.

On one hand, having my best friend nearby could be helpful. On the other hand, it felt like a big coincidence that she’d suddenly decided to move here right after everything that had happened.

"That’s... unexpected," I said carefully. "But great. I’m glad you’re here."

"I knew you’d be excited," Erica said, squeezing my hands. "We can spend so much more ti together now."

Just then, Axel appeared, apparently heading out for lunch. He spotted us imdiately and walked over.

"Erica," he said with a polite nod. "I didn’t expect to see you here."

"Axel!" Erica exclaid, moving in for her usual hug.

This ti, Axel stepped back and held up a hand. "I prefer to keep my personal space, thanks."

Erica’s face fell slightly, looking hurt by the rejection. "Oh. Okay. Sorry."

"I should go get settled into my apartnt," she said, turning back to . "I’ll call you later so we can make plans, okay?"

"Sure," I said, giving her another quick hug. "Welco to the city."

After she left, I turned to Axel with a frown. "You could try to be a little nicer to my friend. She’s only trying to be nice and supportive."

"I’m not a nice person, Layla," he said flatly. "I’m insulted you’d even think that of ."

I rolled my eyes at his response. "You’re impossible sotis."

"Have lunch with ," he said, changing the subject abruptly. "I don’t think you’ve eaten."

During lunch at a quiet restaurant near the office, I found myself feeling overwheld by everything that had been building up.

"My father is preventing from seeing my mother properly," I finally admitted. "And I’m worried that he might have done sothing to cause her condition."

Axel’s fork paused halfway to his mouth. "What do you an?"

"I don’t know for sure, but I just believe he sohow caused it. The stress of all things going on could have triggered her heart attack. Plus, the day we arrived from the business trip, I ran into him and we kind of argued a bit and he threatened ."

"Why didn’t you tell this sooner?" Axel asked sharply, looking concerned

I was stunned by how genuinely upset he seed. "I wasn’t sure if you’d want to listen, or if you’d even care."

"Of course I’d care," he said, leaning forward. "If your father is threatening, that affects both of us and..."

He trailed off, but I could see the anger in his eyes. I wondered if his concern was purely business-related or if there was sothing more personal behind it.

My phone rang, interrupting the mont. I glanced at the screen and saw it was my private investigator.

"I should take this," I said nervously, then answered. "Hello?"

"Mrs. O’Brien, I have so preliminary findings we need to discuss. Can you et this afternoon?"

"I’m in a eting right now," I said, glancing at Axel. "Can I call you back in an hour?"

"Certainly. But Mrs. O’Brien? What I’ve found so far is... significant."

My heart started pounding. "Okay. I’ll call you back."

I hung up and saw Axel watching intently.

"Who was that?" he asked.

"Just Erica," I lied quickly. "Her new number. She wants to make plans for us to et up later."

Axel’s expression darkened slightly. "Don’t let your friend get you carried away from your goals, Layla. You have more important things to focus on right now."

I rolled my eyes again. "You sound like my father."

Axel’s stare turned stern, and I imdiately regretted the comparison.

"I’m sorry," I said quickly. "That wasn’t fair."

"I’m serious about this," he said firmly. "I don’t want you to lose your way when such serious things are happening. You need to stay focused."

"I understand," I said, chastened by his intensity. "You’re right."

"Good." He stood up. "I need to use the restroom. Order another coffee if the waitress cos by."

As soon as he was out of sight, I quickly dialled my investigator back. "What did you find?" I asked in a low voice.