The Billionaire Father Who Came Too Late

2: 2

2

Even at best speed, New York was three hours away.

I almost regretted picking a town this remote to disappear into, all because I hadn't wanted Robin Gilbert to find me.

I couldn't wait. There was no waiting. I hung up, grabbed the car keys off the coffee table, and ran.

My hands were still shaking when I started the engine. I hit the ignition twice before it caught.

The Delgado village was two hours out by car, and I was terrified I wouldn't be there to catch my daughter the moment she got out.

I floored it, cut down every shortcut I knew, and made it in an hour and a half.

I'd barely stopped the car outside the Delgados' little house when a dull thud came from inside, like something heavy slamming into flesh.

Then Frederick's furious shout.

"You little bitch, were you just trying to run to your mother?"

"So what if she comes? She's a small-town elementary school teacher. My family runs this whole town. You think she can save you?"

I threw the door open, about to charge in. The next second Frederick screamed instead.

"You bitch! You dare cut me? I'll beat you to death tonight!"

Then a figure dropped straight down from the second floor.

My daughter didn't care about her twisted ankle. She gritted her teeth and ran for the yard gate.

I rushed forward to steady her, but she was too far gone with panic. There was still a shard of glass clutched in her fist, and she slashed it at me.

"Get away from me!"

I caught her wrist.

"Carly, it's Mom!"

Her face was bruised and swollen. She stared at me like she couldn't believe it.

"Mom..."

I pried her fingers open and took the glass out of her hand.

"Don't be scared. Come with Mom."

I'd just gotten Carly into the passenger seat, about to start the car.

Then Frederick came charging out with several big men and hemmed the car in.

He stood in front of the car, gripping his wounded right arm, blood seeping between his fingers.

Once he made out that it was me, a smile crept across his sullen face.

"Mom. Where are you taking my wife?"

I gripped the wheel tight, forcing myself to stay calm.

"I've missed Carly. I'm bringing her home for a few days."

Frederick let out a soft snort.

"She married into the Delgado family, so she belongs to the Delgados. Showing up in the middle of the night to take her isn't very appropriate, is it?"

Then he looked at my daughter in the passenger seat.

"Carly, get out of the car now. I'll let tonight go. Don't make me say it twice."

"You don't want anything to happen to your mother because of you, do you?"

Carly shuddered all over.

I pressed down on her hand as it reached for the door lock.

"Mom, go, hurry, don't worry about me..."

"Don't be scared. I'm taking you out of here tonight, no matter what."

I held my daughter's hand and looked at the man outside the window.

"Frederick, I've already called the police. If you don't let us leave now, that's unlawful imprisonment."

I'd thought that would at least make him back off. Instead, Frederick dropped the act entirely.

"I was wondering where she got the nerve tonight. Turns out you're the one who gave it to her."

He waved a hand at the men behind him.

"Smash it!"

Before I could react, all four tires were punctured at once, and the windows shattered in a single second under the glass breakers.

One of the big men drove a fist through the broken passenger window.

I shielded my daughter beneath me. The flying glass cut a few gashes into the back of my hand and the nape of my neck.

Frederick reached in, grabbed Carly's hair, and yanked.

"Get out here!"

I hadn't thought he'd be this insane.

With no one to help us, all I could do was slam the horn and scream.

"Help! Fire! Everybody up, there's a fire!"

Someone tried to clamp a hand over my mouth, but it was already too late.

Lights came on in the houses nearby, and plenty of people came running out of their homes.

Sure enough, Frederick's hands went still.

I seized the chance, shoved the door open, got out, and put my daughter behind me.

"Everybody take a good look. This man, Frederick Delgado, beats my daughter. He's beaten her into five miscarriages."

"I came to take my daughter home, and now he's smashing my car and hurting people, won't let us leave. Is this something a family famous for its charity would do?"

My thinking was simple. The Delgados cared about their reputation. Only in a moment like this could I get my daughter out safely.

But the crowd only listened with contempt written all over their faces.