*Lilian*

Walter grabbed my hand as we waited, “Do you want to speak with him alone?”

“I don’t want to speak with him at all.”

“I don’t want you to regret this later Lili. News like this should be shared, and if he isn’t happy we don’t have to do this again.” He’d been saying as much for a couple of days till he finally managed to convince me to even sit in here. 

Yet all i could hear was the commotion outside now. I admit I’ve been in a foul mood as of late. 

When the doors flung open I had not expected to see Pamella here, not today, I would have prefered it been a different day. Her head hung low, and looking behind herself. That’s when I saw Nora, holding that same smile she gives to me on her face. 

“Lili-”

“You can stop.” I couldn’t even look at her. 

“Nothing happened, it didn’t mean anything.”

Walter stood up, “I’m sorry Miss Dusa but Lili and I already had plans today and we rather they not be stirred in a different direction.”

I could hear Pamella stuttered and hesitate on her words, “I’m sorry, I’ll be out now.” Her steps were such a clear sound to me even as I heard them get away. 

“Oh my Lilian, that’s no way to treat an old friend.” I heard Nora saying, “much less when shes just gotten back from a trip.”

I took a deep breath, “Where is father?”

“I’m right here.” From the tone of his voice alone, I could already tell were this was going, “I can’t understand your behavior right now.”

“Oh you know exactly why father-” I stopped, I looked up seeing as Walter was standing in front of me, his face glaring at my father, “Walter… give me a minute with my father.”

“Are you sure?” He looked at me, his brows furrowed. 

“Yes, I just need a minute.”

He nodded, walking past my father and out the doors. But I could still see Nora standing besides father, “Well Nora, this is a family meeting, get out.”

“Lilian!” Father yelled.

“Either she leaves or I do.”

Father sighed, “Nora, give us a minute.”

“You can’t keep enabling her like this Albert! She’s a married Lady now, she’s no little girl.” Nora huffed, glaring at father, but he didn’t say a word back, “I can’t believe you’re still like this.”

When the door slammed behind her father let out a breath he’d been holding, “Now Lili, I understand-”

“Understand? You sent Marcus on a trip, one he hasn’t even returned from-”

“It’s business Lili, he’s a businessman.”

“You’re a Liar!” I yelled, standing from my chair and pointing at him, “You wanted him to leave… so I’ll forget about him. But I wont!” I took a deep breath, “I love him, I can’t help it. Even now, I’d leave if he asked me to.”

“You’re talking nonsense.”

“It’s only nonsense because you let Pamella go with him! You allowed it, and you know how he feels about her! How could you let this happen?”

“Be sensible Lili-”

I glared at him feeling my eyes burn, “Stop it!” I couldn’t take it covering my ears for a moment as I sat back down, “You don’t care about how I feel…”

“I care Lili, You’re my daughter.”

“Then maybe that’s the problem. I’m a daughter when I should have been a son.” 

He stood up suddenly, “It’s nothing like that!”

I couldn’t keep sitting in this room, listening to him, “I hope I never turn into you.” Standing up again this time I kept walking. 

Feeling a yank on my arm. 

“Don’t-”

I pulled back, staggering for a moment. Watching as he just stood there, “You know this isn’t even what I came here for.” I laughed, “This was so far down the list of things I wanted to talk about…” I turned back to the door pulling it open, “I’m having a baby dad, and you won’t be a part of it.” Removing the shawl I’d been wearing, “I’m done with you.”

Walter stood there looking in between me and father, “Lili, you alright?”

I nodded, turning my back on father one last time, “Let’s go Walter.”