A Father’s Fury

Chapter Eighteen: A Father's Fury

The days passed slowly after Diane was discharged from the hospital. 

Despite Gabriel's insistence on round-the-clock care, Diane couldn't quiet her thoughts. 

The attack didn't haunt her. If anything, she was used to way more than this. 

She sat on the edge of her bed, tracing the bruise under her eye with her fingertips. 

It was painful, but all she could think of now was Leon.

Was her father safe? Had Riot really managed to reach him? Would she see him again?

Just as she was starting to drift into uneasy thoughts, a loud commotion outside shattered the stillness. 

Raised voices, the rumble of engines, and hurried footsteps reached her ears. 

Diane frowned, crossing the room to peer out the window.

Her heart stopped.

Outside, two groups of security personnel clashed in a tense standoff near the driveway. 

Men in black suits gestured aggressively, while others in tactical gear stood their ground. 

Diane's throat dried out. 

She knew this was trouble, but her worst fear gripped her.

"Adrian," she whispered, her hand tightened on the windowsill.

Before she could think, Riot entered the room. "Stay here," he instructed.

"No," Diane snapped, already moving past him. "I'm coming with you."

"Diane—" Riot began, but she replied to him with a look that brooked no argument. 

Eventually, he followed her as she hurried down the stairs and out the front door.

The scene outside was a mess. 

The two teams were nose to nose now, shouting threats and insults. 

Diane's eyes moved to the sleek black car parked just beyond the line of security. 

Her breath caught in her throat as the door opened.

And then she saw him.

"Dad!" she screamed, her voice starting breaking within seconds. "Dad!"

Leon stepped out of the car.

 His striking blue eyes looked over the scene before locking on Diane.

"Diane!" he called back. 

Diane didn't wait. 

She shoved through the wall of unfamiliar security, ignoring their protests and Riot's attempts to hold her back. 

She reached Leon and threw her arms around him, clutching him tightly.

Leon wrapped her in a protective embrace, his strong hands held her as if he'd never let go.

 "My baby girl," he murmured, and water started falling down his cheeks. "I'm here. I'm here now."

Tears blessed Diane's face as she buried her head against his chest.

 "I thought I'd never see you again," she sobbed. "I thought—"

"Shh," Leon said, smoothing her hair. "I'm here now, Diane. No one will hurt you again. I promise."

Riot approached cautiously, giving the reunited pair some space but staying within earshot. 

Leon glanced at him over Diane's shoulder, giving him a small, grateful nod. 

Riot returned the gesture. He knew Diane needed this.

 >__<

Inside the house, the tension slowly eased. 

The two opposing security teams retreated, with Leon's men stationed outside. 

Diane led her father into the grand living room, where they finally sat down. 

Riot was by the doorway, ever-watchful.

Leon studied Diane closely, his jaw tightened even more as he took in her bruised eye and weary expression. 

"Tell me everything," he said firmly.

Diane hesitated, her hands twisting in her lap. 

She glanced at Riot, who gave her an encouraging nod. 

Taking a deep breath, she began.

"Dad," she started in a shaking voice, "there's so much you don't know. Rachel... she sold me. She sold me to the Ravenhoods."

Leon's face darkened, he paused whatever move he was going to make. 

"S-sold you? What do you mean?"

"She made a deal with Richard Ravenhood," Diane said, her voice gained strength as anger replaced her fear.

 "They sold me off to marry Gabriel so they could use me to get to his wealth. It was all planned. From the beginning, I was nothing but a pawn to them."

Leon's fists clenched, his jaw was so tight, his teeth started gritting while he spoke.

"That woman—Rachel—did this to you? My wife??"

Diane nodded, tears glistened her eyes. 

"She promised me it was for my own good, but it was all lies. Richard and Adrian... they're monsters, Dad. They've hurt me in ways I can't even explain."

"And Gabriel? What's his role in this?"

"He's... innocent," Diane admitted, her throat went dry again. 

"Gabriel is the only one who is-"

"Diane, you don't need to lie to me."

"I'm not, dad…"

Leon stood abruptly, pacing the room like a caged animal. 

"How dare they," he growled in a hushed, low and dangerous voice.

 "How dare they touch my daughter. Rachel... Richard... Adrian... they're all going to pay for this."

"Dad, please. I need your help…. They're powerful, and they won't hesitate to hurt anyone who gets in their way."

Leon stopped pacing and turned to her. 

"Diane, listen to me. No one—no one—gets to hurt you and walk away unscathed. I'll destroy them if I have to. I'll tear down everything they've built to protect you."

Diane reached out, taking his hand. 

"I want revenge, Dad. I want to live my life without fear."

Leon knelt in front of her, his hands enclosed hers. 

"You will, sweetheart. I'll make sure of it. You're my daughter, and I'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe. You're not alone anymore."

"Dd-dad…" Diane started trembling uncontrollably. "You-you don't know what they did to me."

"I'm so sorry for failing to protect you."

"D-dad," Diane was crying so much, she couldn't even say the words properly. 

"M-my back…dad, look," her lower lip couldn't stop trembling, as she started removing the top of her pyjama, exposing her back.

Her entire skin was marked by burns and scars from whips and belts, like an evidence of the inflicted pain she had to endure.

"Wh-who did this to you?" Leon thought his heart was going to stop after seeing this. 

Her daughter, his own blood…the girl he thought he'd lost forever was now alive, sharing the trauma she had to go through because of his neglect. 

"D-dad, I'm sorry…I'm sorry for hating you…I'm sorry for despising you…I did-I didn't know what Rachel actually did. She told me it was your idea."

"Diane…"

"I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry. I was so stupid," she covered her face with her hands.

"Diane, listen to me. Diane…" Leon was looking at her, not knowing how to comfort his daughter. 

His little girl. 

"I-I will kill them for you. Diane, I-I promise to kill all of them."