“Dad?” I squeaked. “What are you doing here?”
“Come, baby girl,” he said, taking my arm. “Let’s head back
home.”
“Where’s home?” I snarled. “The hotel?”
“Bella, let’s just get out of here and we can hear what your
dad has to say,” Edward said quietly, his arm around my waist. I gave my dad a
glare as we made our way through the reporters and into the waiting limo.
Everyone clambered in, including my father. Edward barked that we wanted to go
to the hotel. I was grateful for him because if I opened my mouth, I would tell
my father to fuck off. I stayed cuddled in Edward’s arms as we made our way to
Swan Towers. Parking in the garage, we all got out and rode up to my father’s
suite. I was anxious and sick, even though I should be cheering that Esme was
found guilty.
“If you don’t mind, I’d like to talk to my daughter and her
boyfriend alone,” Charlie said.
“Why should she listen to you?” Rose snapped. “You abandoned
her while she was fucking recovering, you asshole.”
“Rosalie, you’re still my employee,” Charlie growled.
“No, she’s mine,” I argued. “But, we’ll be fine.” Rose gave
Charlie a glower and got off on her floor with Carlisle and Elizabeth. Edward
and I rode up to the top floor where my dad’s penthouse was located. It looked
exactly like mine, with the layout, but the décor was different. We walked
inside and settled onto the couch. Charlie tossed his coat onto the dining room
table and sat down on one of the chairs. “What do you want, Charlie?”
“Enough with the attitude, Isabella,” he snapped.
“I think her attitude is warranted, Mr. Swan,” Edward retorted.
“She’s not a child and the way you acted while she was in the hospital was
deplorable.”
Scrubbing his face, Charlie sat back and sighed. “You’re
right. I was an asshole. What I did was appalling. Bella, you are my only
daughter and I abandoned you when you needed me the most.”
“What do you want, Charlie?” I repeated. “Because, if you
didn’t hear, Esme was found guilty and we want to celebrate that fact. You kind
of put a damper on that.”
