"Oh, Lucius! I didn’t expect to see you here." Darius rose from his seat as Lucius entered the office, right on Layla’s heels.
"I thought I’d pay my respects to my father-in-law," Lucius replied smoothly, his gaze resting briefly on Layla.
Darius, however, wasn’t convinced. He knew full well why Lucius was really there—it was always about Layla. Keeping his expression neutral, he gestured to a chair. "Please, make yourself comfortable."
Lucius, ever the gentleman, first pulled out a chair for Layla, who took her seat without a word. "Now that I’ve greeted my father-in-law, I’ll wait for Layla outside," Lucius said, giving her one last glance before excusing himself from the office.
Once he was gone, Darius turned his attention back to Layla. Folding his hands together on the desk, he softened his tone, carefully choosing his words. "I think you should know that Orabela has left ho. Things have been... tense, to say the least. We discussed this earlier, but you didn’t seem concerned." He hesitated, then added, "I’d like you to consider visiting your mother. She’s not doing well."
Layla’s eyes narrowed slightly. "Why did Orabela leave?" she asked, her voice steady but carrying a touch of skepticism. "Didn’t you raise her as your own daughter? And yet, you cast her out so easily?"
Her tone wasn’t sympathetic—she simply wanted to see the truth behind her parents’ decisions.
Darius sighed, eting her gaze. "Layla, the past is more complicated than it seems. But tell ... have you ever wondered why I never sent you away? You have seen your grandmother’s behavior toward you from a young age. Yes, I was a bad father, who failed to protect you," he took a brief pause as he let out a deep sigh.
"I’ve asked myself that question many tis, Dad," Layla replied, her voice laced with bitterness. "But the answer’s always been the sa—you never wanted . Even after knowing I was your child with Seraphina, the woman you loved, it didn’t matter. Whatever conclusion I reached, it was always clear. I was treated that way because you never wanted ."
"That’s not true," Darius responded quietly, though his voice wavered.
"Don’t be ridiculous," Layla shot back, her tone hardening. "I’ve seen your disdain, felt it every single day. The cruel words, the scorn—they were always aid at , and you never held back."
Darius sighed, leaning forward with a weary look in his eyes. "I admit it, Layla—I hurt you," he said, his voice thick with regret. "But my harshness wasn’t out of hatred. I thought... if I kept you close, if you were always before my eyes, you’d be safer. If I’d openly accepted you as my daughter back then, it could’ve stirred too many questions, brought too many risks. And I didn’t want you sent away, far off to the countryside. I felt it would be dangerous for you there, away from the protection of this family."
He hesitated, searching her face for a glimr of understanding. "I know it sounds like excuses and empty words, but it’s the truth. I was wrong, though—I failed to protect you and hurt you in the process. I made terrible mistakes as a father, which I can’t undo."
He paused, his tone softening as he continued, "I don’t expect you to forgive , and I know you don’t owe anything. But your mother... she’s hurt, Layla. She’s broken by all that’s happened. Go to her, at least, because she needs you right now. More than you know."
For the first ti, Layla sensed a layer of depth behind her father’s words—sothing she hadn’t seen before. "Why did Orabela leave?" she asked, a flicker of curiosity piercing her guarded tone. "You always treated her as the daughter you wanted. Why would you let her go?"
Darius sighed, rubbing his temple as if the weight of recent events bore down on him. "Orabela felt it would be best to live separately," he replied. "My mother and Miriam... they don’t wish to see her anymore. I’m still reeling from what Seraphina did to us, the lies she wove into this family." He paused, a hint of guilt clouding his gaze. "But as the head of this family, I need to start making ands, to correct my mistakes—even if it’s painfully late."
He looked back at Layla, his expression softening. "That’s all I’m asking from you as well. I know I’ve asked too much already, but please consider seeing your mother. She’s carrying a burden she shouldn’t have to bear alone, and right now... she needs you."
"I’ll think about it," Layla replied, giving her father no clear assurance. After a brief pause, she added, "But there’s sothing I’ve always wondered—why did you never allow to work in this company? Was that your idea of protecting too? Or did you just find worthless?"
Darius’s gaze darkened. "I don’t want to answer that," he said, his tone guarded.
Layla gave a small, humorless laugh. "How convenient. I hope you applied the sa standard to Orabela. She used to tell you how ’incapable’ I was, how I wouldn’t even qualify to work as an intern here. Maybe it’s ti she finds her own path instead of relying on the privileges you handed her," she suggested coolly.
Darius furrowed his brows, but chose to stay silent.
"Don’t forget, either, what she did with the beauty brand," Layla continued. "And I heard you were considering declaring her as the Rosenzweig heiress." She gave him a steady look, voice steady but firm. "Perhaps it’s ti the world knows who I am. Think about it, Dad."
She rose from her chair, adjusting her expression back to polite indifference. "I’ll et with my mother, since you’ve asked—twice," she said, giving him a slight bow before turning to leave. Without looking back, she walked out of the office, leaving Darius in tense silence.
As Layla stepped out, she saw Lucius was talking sothing with Roger in a hushed tone, but turned quiet to see her.
"My father wants to see you," Lucius then inford her.
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