The Invisible Girl's Revenge (Harper) novel Chapter 185

Chapter 185

Chapter 185

ཁ་!

Chapter 185

Chapter 185

ཁ་!

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Harper

It was thirty minutes before 2 PM and I was finally about to meet my father for the first time. I stared at my reflection in the mirror for what felt like the hundredth time that day. I had even changed outfits twice already. It was nothing too formal and nothing too casual. I didn’t even know what first–time–meeting–your–father outfit was supposed to look like.

Dean had told me a few things about my father to prepare me, but they weren’t enough to actually know what I was walking into. Was he going to be warm, reserved, or regretful?

I grabbed my purse before I could overthink it any further. The only way to find out was to actually meet him.

I was on my way to the living room when my phone rang. It was a group call from Ella and Zoey.

I knew the first thing they were going to ask and it made me chuckle before I even picked up.

“Hi,” I said to them.

“Did you leave yet?” Ella asked without greeting.

“I’m on my way,” I replied, locking the door behind me.

“The time has finally come!” Zoey squealed.

Her excitement made me smile despite the nervousness in my chest.

“We just wanted to make sure you were actually on your way,” Ella said. “It’s been quite a busy day for you, huh? Have you picked out your dress for tomorrow evening?”

I hesitated as I stepped into the car. “I don’t know if I’m going.”

They both went silent, like they were waiting for me to explain.

‘Maddox told me that he’ll pick me up at 6 PM tomorrow, but after everything that happened, I don’t think I want to go.”

Zoey sighed. “Look at it this way, you told him that he should only show up in front of you when he’s ready to tell you. What if he’ll be ready to tell you the moment he comes to pick you up? You already told us that he hasn’t bothered to talk about it over the phone. You have to go. As for me, I’ve already picked out my dress and heels. I’ll be in attendance with my boyfriend!”

Ella groaned dramatically. “I wish I could go with any other guy. Dude’s been asking all week.”

‘Guess what, Harper?” Zoey giggled like she had something juicy to say. “Ella agreed to go with Adrian.”

I laughed with amusement. “We told you that sooner or later, you were going to give in.”

“Whoa,” Ella quickly cut in “I’m only going with him because I don’t want to be left out. And he’s the only one who can grant

me access.”

“Mhm,” Zoey and I said at the same time.

I finally made it to the car and after fastening my seatbelt, my friends wished me the best and expected every detail afterwards.

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Chapter 185

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I parked outside the restaurant and just sat there for a few seconds. Maddox had taken me to some of the most luxurious restaurants in the world, yet I was intimidated by the building in front of me. It wasn’t because it was all glass and marble. It was because of who was waiting for me inside.

The entrance was heavy with security, all of them in tailored black suits, dark shades and earpieces. I had driven by that restaurant before and had never seen anything like that.

For a second, I checked behind me to see if someone important was walking in, but there was no one.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped out of the car and began to approach them.

Then, something strange happened. They all stepped aside.

“Welcome,” one of them said politely.

I was caught by surprise, but I smiled. “Thank you.”

I took a few steps forward when I heard one of them quietly speak like he was passing on information.

“Your daughter has arrived, Sir.”

It registered at that moment that all that security had come with my father. They weren’t guarding the building. They were waiting for me.

Quickly, I was escorted through the lobby, my heels echoing against the floor and louder than the classical music. Everything smelled and looked expensive.

When I stepped into the restaurant area, I froze because it was empty. I thought I might have come to the wrong place, so I scanned the room slowly and then, I saw him seated in the corner. He was in a black suit, his dark gray hair contrasting sharply against the fabric. He was facing away from me, so I couldn’t see his face.

Still, I began to approach and my heart started racing so hard that I could hear it in my ears. That was the moment I had imagined a thousand different ways. Was I supposed to call him dad? Was I supposed to say his name? Or was I just supposed to walk around and stand in front of him like a stranger? I didn’t know what to do and the fact that he didn’t turn around despite my footsteps didn’t make it any easier for me.

When I was close enough to the table, he finally turned and at that moment, time stopped. I looked into my father’s eyes for the first time in my life. There was something else there too, like he was studying my facial features and trying to see pieces of himself in me.

As the silence stretched on, I felt my eyes get a little teary because of the significance of that moment, but I composed myself as I hadn’t spoken to him yet. It also wasn’t worth dropping any tears as his expression barely shifted and that made

me more nervous.

“There she is,” he finally said, his voice calm.

He swiftly stood up and awkwardly opened his arms. It took me a few seconds to move forward and it became clear that there was hesitation on both sides.

When I stepped closer, there was barely any contact. His arm didn’t fully wrap around me. Mine hovered for a second before lightly touching his back

While it was too awkward, it was unforgettable as it was the first time I had ever been hugged by iny father.

Then, he stepped back and looked at me again, his eyes scanning my features.

“You look just like your mother,” he said with so much pride.

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I gave him a small, awkward smile. “I get that a lot.”

He gestured towards the chair across from him. “Please.”

I took my seat first, then he followed. And then there was silence.

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We just looked at each other for a while as we were both still taking it all in. He gave me a small smile and I smiled back as hat moment was real. He was right there.

You must be wondering why there’s no one else here,” he finally said. “I just wanted to share this moment with you.”

Then, his small smile faded slightly and he glanced to the side before he spoke.

‘I didn’t want to show my face for so long,” he admitted. “I should’ve been there. It took me far too long to be in your life.”

My smile faded, but it wasn’t because his words had made me sad in any way.

‘I want to hear your side. I want to know why you were never there,” I said.

He exhaled slowly, looking down at his hands before meeting my eyes again.

I just got so caught up in waiting for the right time, but that turned into forever. I knew I couldn’t escape my last name. I hought I was better off staying away from you because I believed I had failed.”

His words stung because staying away was still a choice.

‘I heard from Dean that your mother died.” His composure cracked for a second. “I had no idea. I was heartbroken when I heard about it.”

I could hear it in his voice and the way his expression had changed that he meant every word.

I didn’t even get to see it that much longer because soon, his posture straightened and that controlled elegance returned.

I’ll make this right and in the grandest way possible,” he said with determination. He looked into my eyes like he was naking a vow. “I promise you.”

I didn’t know whether to feel hopeful or afraid of what “grandest way possible” really meant.

I didn’t have much time to even think about it because he soon changed the topic.

“Every year,” he said, adjusting the cuff of his sleeve, “I remembered your birthday.”

I raised my eyebrows with present surprise. “Really?”

I know the date. I’ve never forgotten it.”

My heart melted at those words. It mattered that much to me.

My lips curved into a smile as I now felt the warmth in my heart getting stronger

“Any plans for your birthday?” he asked

“My boyfriend said he’s planning something”

The words came out automatically, but right after I said them, it ruined my mood and I lowered my gaze. I now began to think about Maddox and Claire and how he still hadn’t yet proven to me where he was

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I didn’t even know if I wanted anything from him anymore, not until he would tell me the truth.

“Maddox Aldridge,” my father said, snapping me back to reality.

I looked up at his face and he let out a short laugh.

“I’ve seen your relationship online. I’ve been watching.”

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There was something comforting about that because it made me feel like I wasn’t completely invisible for as long as I thought I was.

He was in the middle of talking about some of the articles he had seen when he suddenly trailed off, just staring at me again with a faint smile.

“What is it?” I asked, now a little self–conscious.

He exhaled slowly. “I’m still not over how you look so much like your mother. She was the most beautiful woman I’d ever

met.”

At that moment, I could tell that he was trying his best to break the ice, so I decided to meet him halfway.

“Mom’s genes are so strong that my sister and I look like we share the same parents.”

His expression shifted to one of interest. “I remember meeting Anna when she was little. Is she in San Francisco as well?”

I shook my head. “She’s not. She’s been through a lot, so she lives far away. It’s complicated, but I really miss her. I just want us to be together again.”

“Look at the bright side,” he said smoothly. “You won’t miss her as much because your family just got bigger.”

Those words hit me the wrong way.

“It has,” I said carefully. “But that doesn’t change the fact that I still want to see my sister again.”

He waved a hand dismissively. “We’re both here, so why don’t we focus on that for now? Let’s talk about what’s actually important.”

“That’s my sister and she’s that important to me.”

“And I’m your father.”

I was about to respond when I remembered what Dean had told me. Our father could be inconsiderate at times. It was probably because of all the power he had.

Choosing my words carefully, I said, “That gives you no rights to talk about my sister like that.”

Though I was certain I was gentle when I said it, I wondered if I had just ruined everything, but I didn’t back down.

“Anna was there for me when you weren’t. I just thought I’d share how much she means to me.”

I went on to explain how it was growing up with her and slowly, I saw his expression change, like that pride lowered.

He exhaled slowly. “You’re right. I shouldn’t have said that. I can see how much you love your sister. Why don’t we start over again? There’s so much I don’t know about you and equally, there’s so much you don’t know about me. Tell me about your life and everything that I missed.”

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My lips curved into a smile as I liked the sound of that, so after we ordered some food, I went first, talking about my childhood, my friends, my studies, even Maddox.

Hours passed without either of us even noticing. We both got more comfortable with each other.

“I’m so glad I decided to come to San Francisco to see you,” he said. “Tomorrow, I’m going to introduce you to the world as my daughter.”

While I liked the sound of that, I didn’t smile brightly. “How about doing that on another day?”

“Don’t you want the world to know?”

“I do.” I sighed. “It’s just that tomorrow is a special day for Maddox and I don’t want to steal that away from him.”

He nodded with understanding. “How considerate of you. I see you want him to have the spotlight.”

While I was still mad at him, I wasn’t going to take away his moment. I just hoped he would tell me the truth.

5/5

It was thirty minutes before 2 PM and I was finally about to meet my father for the first time. I stared at my reflection in the mirror for what felt like the hundredth time that day. I had even changed outfits twice already. It was nothing too formal and nothing too casual. I didn’t even know what first-time-meeting-your-father outfit was supposed to look like.

I was on my way to the living room when my phone rang. It was a group call from Ella and Zoey.

“We just wanted to make sure you were actually on your way,” Ella said. “It’s been quite a busy day for you, huh? Have you picked out your dress for tomorrow evening?”

I parked outside the restaurant and just sat there for a few seconds. Maddox had taken me to some of the most luxurious restaurants in the world, yet I was intimidated by the building in front of me. It wasn’t because it was all glass and marble. It was because of who was waiting for me inside.

When I stepped into the restaurant area, I froze because it was empty. I thought I might have come to the wrong place, so I scanned the room slowly and then, I saw him seated in the corner. He was in a black suit, his dark gray hair contrasting sharply against the fabric. He was facing away from me, so I couldn’t see his face.

Still, I began to approach and my heart started racing so hard that I could hear it in my ears. That was the moment I had imagined a thousand different ways. Was I supposed to call him dad? Was I supposed to say his name? Or was I just supposed to walk around and stand in front of him like a stranger? I didn’t know what to do and the fact that he didn’t turn around despite my footsteps didn’t make it any easier for me.

“You look just like your mother,” he said with so much pride.

I took my seat first, then he followed. And then there was silence.