Chapter 4: The Wall

After we got together, I thought it’d be easy to win her over, but nothing went the way I planned.

I tried every hint in the book—suggesting she move in to save money, making excuses to spend more time together. But she was stubbornly old-fashioned, turning down every suggestion with a polite but firm smile.

I figured I understood why. After everything her father put her through, how could she ever feel safe with a man?

But that didn’t fix what was broken inside me. The longer things dragged on, the more her innocence made me crazy. So close, but always out of reach. Every day felt like my chest was being clawed apart, and my patience was running out.

A few days back, I dropped her off after work. I had the next day off and invited her to a midnight movie. She flat-out refused, saying it was too much trouble that late at night.

I lost my cool. "Are you really my girlfriend, or what?"

Her eyes filled with tears. "Brian, I know what you’re thinking, but I have my principles. If you really love me, wait until we’re married—I’ll give myself to you completely, okay?"

I bit back my anger, forced a smile, and changed the subject, coaxing her all the way home.

But when we got to her building, there was Harold again, waiting out front. Natalie must’ve been in a bad mood. Before her dad could even open his mouth, she snapped at him.

"Didn’t I just give you money last week? I don’t have any more! Why don’t you just sell me and be done with it?"

Harold didn’t even flinch. "Who said I’m here for you? I’m just here to see my son-in-law."

He turned to me, grinning. "Son-in-law, my luck’s been garbage lately. Maybe it’s because a woman’s money brings bad vibes. I need a man’s cash to turn things around. Lend me some, and I’ll pay you back as a wedding gift."

He kept calling me son-in-law, but every time he said it, my blood boiled. Who knew if Natalie would even stay with me?

Fed up, I shoved Harold aside. "Back off, man. I’m done with your crap."

Harold staggered, shooting daggers at me, but when he saw Natalie’s mood, he just snorted and shuffled off.

My outburst made Natalie frown, but she didn’t say a word. She just walked upstairs.

"Daughter, this man can’t be trusted!" Harold yelled after her, then shot me one last glare before disappearing into the night.

My fists clenched, and his shouting pounded in my skull. Damn it, tonight, I was going to teach him a lesson.