Chapter Fourteen: A Father's Realisation
Riot drove through the quiet streets, pressing and gritting his teeth as he glanced at Diane in the passenger seat.
She sat slumped against the door, her arms wrapped protectively around herself.
Her nose was still bleeding, and her left eye was swollen, the dark bruise already formed a sickly blue.
He reached into the glove compartment and handed her a tissue.
"Hold this against your nose," he said softly.
Diane took it wordlessly, pressing it to her face.
Her other hand trembled as it rested in her lap.
Riot's protective anger still remained the same, but he kept his tone calm.
"We'll get you to the hospital. Just hang on."
She nodded faintly. "Thank you."
The car pulled up to a private location, a small hospital on the outskirts of the city.
Riot parked and opened the door for Diane. "Let's get you inside. No one knows we're here."
But as Riot helped her out of the car, Diane stopped moving her body.
Across the street, a group of security personnel was ushering a tall man toward a black SUV.
It was Leon Hoffman. Her father.
"Dad?" Diane whispered and her voice began to crack.
"Save your energy," Riot said gently, placing his hand on her arm. "You need to rest. We'll deal with him later."
But Diane shook her head, her eyes widened. "No... That's him. That's my dad!"
Her voice grew louder, so hoarse and strained.
"Dad! Dad!"
Leon, distracted by his security team, didn't hear her at first.
He was deep in conversation, his attention seemed to be focusing on the men around him.
"Diane," Riot said firmly, pulling her gently back. "You're hurt. Let it go for now."
But Diane refused to listen.
She tore away from Riot's hold, stumbling toward the street. "Dad! It's me! Dad!"
Leon froze mid-step, his back straightened.
He pivoted, his brow furrowed as his eyebrows arched in surprise.
His mouth parted slightly, lips trembled as if struggling to form words.
Standing there, appearing thanks to the streetlights, was a woman who looked like his daughter.
But it couldn't be.
Diane was gone...And yet...
"Diane?" he murmured.
Rachel was at his side in an instant, her hand gripped his arm tightly.
"Leon, get in the car," she hissed. "Now. We need to leave."
But Leon didn't move.
He remained locked on Diane, scanning the bruises on her face, the blood staining her tissue, the unmistakable resemblance to the little girl he had once called his own.
"Leon!" Rachel snapped, her voice started growing shriller. "It's not her. It can't be."
He shook her off, his steps quickened as he moved toward Diane. "Diane? Is it really you?"
Diane's throat tightened, her tears fell freely now.
"Dad! It's me!" Her voice broke, yeard of abandonment and pain flowed into those three words.
Leon reached her, his hands trembled as he stopped in front of her.
His eyes searched hers, and there was no mistaking it.
This wasn't a stranger. This was his daughter.
"My God," he whispered in a heavy voice. "It is you."
Diane let out a choked sob, and before she could say anything else, Leon pulled her into his arms.
His embrace was fierce and desperate, as though holding her could somehow undo the years of separation.
"I thought I'd lost you forever," he murmured, removing the grief.
Diane clung to him, her tears soaked into his jacket.
"You didn't lose me. I was sold."
The words cut through Leom like a blade.
He pulled back slightly, his hands still on her shoulders.
Leon's hands trembled as he touched Diane's shoulders.
Her nose was swollen, blood fell onto her bruised lip.
The bruises under her eye stood stark against her pale skin.
"You need a hospital," Leon said, shaking as he cupped her face gently. "You're hurt—badly. Let me help you."
Diane blinked back tears, her throat tightened. "You... You're finally here," she whispered.
Riot stepped forward.
"We can't stay here. Too many people have seen us."
He placed a hand on Diane's back. "I'll take her to the hospital. Somewhere safe."
Leon glanced at Riot, small wrinkles of concern formed onto his forehead. "I'm coming with you. She's my daughter."
"You can follow us," Riot replied. "We need to go now."
Leon nodded, brushing Diane's hair back as he stared into her eyes.
"I'll fix this. I promise. But we need to get you help first."
Before they could move, a small voice broke through the tense air. "Papa?"
Leon turned around.
Arthur was just a few feet away, with eyes full of confusion as he clutched his toy car tightly.
"Arthur," Leon said, softening his voice briefly. "Stay back—"
But before anyone could react, one car covered him and his mother.
Rachel's hand darted out, giving Arthur a shove.
The boy stumbled backward, right into the path of another oncoming car.
"Arthur!" Leon's roar tore through the air as time seemed to slow.
Riot acted instantly, sprinting toward the boy with lightning speed.
"He's not going to make it..."