His Captive Obsession Chapter 16

His Captive Obsession Chapter 16

I didn’t even remember how we got back home. By the time I woke up, the sky was pitch black.

Mom had found out about everything that happened the night before, and she and Daddy had stayed by my side the entire night before bringing me back to the hospital.

Daddy kept me with him while Mom took care of Ashton.

Since Daddy was physically much larger and stronger—having survived the brutal internal politics of a massive dynasty—Ashton was a total weakling by comparison.

Daddy had a few cuts on his face that he refused to let anyone treat.

He sat in the corner holding me like a statue, staring intensely in the direction of Mom and Ashton.

“Valerie, I wasn’t just acting back then,” Ashton said, managing a weak smile as Mom patted his shoulder. “If you ever need anything, just tell me.”

Ashton blinked back tears. “I just hate that I’m too young. Happy summer, Valerie.”

Mom smiled warmly. “Happy summer, Ashton.”

Once Ashton left, Daddy immediately hurried to the kitchen to make me a snack, hovering around us constantly.

The scratches on his face had started to scab over, but he kept picking at them until they bled again.

Mom ignored him entirely, heading out to the greenhouse to prune the roses.

“Daddy, are you okay?” I asked.

He shook his head, putting on a brave face. “I’m perfectly fine.”

He turned his back to me, but I could clearly see him wiping away tears. “It tastes good, Daddy. You’re the best.”

He stared at me blankly as I ate, completely silent, but his face was entirely soaked with tears.

His pale skin was flushed a soft pink, his eyes wide and pitiful. “Zoe, can you ask the judge to let me be your dad?”

What?

Daddy washed the dishes and then tucked me into bed.

Later that night, I couldn’t sleep soundly. I was worried because he had refused to put ointment on his cuts, claiming it didn’t hurt.

I crept over to their bedroom door and heard muffled, desperate sobbing from inside.

The door was slightly ajar.

“Valerie, please don’t leave me… I’ll lock myself up properly next time, I swear.”

“That day, you told me to wait for you at home. But I missed you so much, and then I heard a young man’s voice over Zoe’s watch. I was so terrified you’d leave me for someone younger… That’s why I ran out and got hit.”

“Thank goodness I tattooed your face on my body, but you still hid from me on purpose. You don’t want me anymore, do you? You’re tired of me…”

He was crying so hard he could barely breathe.

After a long pause, Mom asked softly, “Does it hurt?”

“No.”

“Tell the truth.”

With a soft whine like a kicked puppy, he threw himself into her arms.

“It hurts so much.”