Chapter 7
By the time I finished, I was sobbing uncontrollably.
“I’m so sorry, Isata.” Gralin’s voice was a broken whisper. He pulled me into his arms. “I messed up… I’m so sorry, Dad… I’m damned…”
pushed him away, slapping him hard across the face.
“My father shouldn’t have saved you! He shouldn’t have wasted his life on a piece of trash like you! If he hadn’t saved you, he wouldn’t be… like that! And you! You dared to accuse him of assaulting that… that… secretary! You were so quick to defend her, Gralin, because you were already screwing her, weren’t you?! Office affairs are exciting, aren’t they? Playing murder games with your mistress is fun, isn’t it?!”
My words seemed to break him. He slumped to the floor, whimpering.
I glared at him.
My father was dead. What good were apologies now?
“Isata… please… forgive me..” He looked up at me, his eyes pleading. “I don’t think your
father would want us to be… enemies. Please, let go of the hate. It won’t bring you happiness. Just… forgive me. Please. Or I’ll never forgive myself.”
Was he serious?
I’d grown up with a single father. He’d worked his fingers to the bone to raise me. And before I could repay him, he was gone.
Nobody understood my pain.
If I let go of this hate, what would I have left?
“I’ll never forgive you, Gralin,” I said coldly. “I hope you live with this guilt for the rest of your life.”
He left, his eyes hollow.
14:26
