Chapter 7 - THE MAN WHO ABANDONED HIS DAUGHTER
Adrian Vale appeared at Fay's apartment three days later.
He wore an expensive suit.
His hair was perfectly styled.
He looked almost exactly as he had six years earlier.
Fay opened the door.
Then froze.
“Adrian.”
He smiled.
“Hello, Fay.”
Her stomach twisted.
“What are you doing here?”
He looked past her.
“Is Josie home?”
Fay stepped into the doorway.
“No.”
His smile tightened.
“I'd like to see my daughter.”
Fay stared.
“After five years?”
He shrugged.
“People change.”
She looked at him.
“Have you?”
Adrian's expression hardened.
“Don't make this difficult.”
Fay felt cold.
“What do you want?”
He lowered his voice.
“Celeste says you've been spending time with Rafferty Cain.”
Fay said nothing.
Adrian continued.
“You need to stop.”
She stared.
“Excuse me?”
“He's dangerous.”
Fay crossed her arms.
“And you care because?”
Adrian looked away.
“Because Celeste is family.”
Fay laughed bitterly.
“Of course.”
Adrian stepped closer.
“Listen carefully. If you keep seeing Rafferty, things could become complicated.”
Fay's heart hammered.
“Are you threatening me?”
He smiled thinly.
“I'm reminding you that I have rights as Josie's father.”
Fay went still.
Before she could answer, a voice came from behind Adrian.
“Then perhaps you should start by fulfilling your responsibilities.”
Adrian turned.
Rafferty stood in the hallway.
His expression was calm.
Dangerously calm.
Adrian swallowed.
“Mr. Cain.”
Rafferty looked at Fay.
“Are you alright?”
She nodded.
He turned back to Adrian.
“You haven't seen your daughter in five years.”
Adrian stiffened.
“That's private.”
Rafferty nodded.
“It is.”
He stepped closer.
“And you should keep it that way unless you're prepared to handle it responsibly.”
Adrian tried to smile.
“I'm her father.”
Rafferty looked at him.
“Biology doesn't excuse abandonment.”
Silence.
Fay stepped forward.
“Adrian, if you genuinely want to be part of Josie's life, we can discuss it through appropriate legal channels and with her wellbeing first.”
Adrian stared.
She continued.
“But you don't get to use her to threaten me.”
Adrian looked from Fay to Rafferty.
Then walked away.
Rafferty turned to Fay.
“I'm sorry.”
She shook her head.
“You didn't do anything.”
He looked toward the apartment.
“Is Josie okay?”
Fay nodded.
“She was at a friend's house.”
Rafferty smiled faintly.
“Good.”
That evening, Fay received a message from an unknown number.
YOU THINK RAFFERTY CAN PROTECT YOU?
Then another.
ASK HIM WHAT HAPPENED TO THE LAST WOMAN WHO TRUSTED HIM.
Fay stared.
Her hands began shaking.
At the Cain Estate, Rafferty opened an old locked drawer.
Inside was a photograph of a young woman.
A woman who had died years earlier.
He stared at it.
May you like
Then whispered:
“Not again.”
