Chapter 5: Freedom and Fallout

“Dad, Dylan is hurt. Can I spend more time with him at the hospital these days?”

I nodded, not missing a beat. “Of course you can.”

“Then, I might come home late. Can you pick me up?”

“No.” My answer was flat, final. The word hung between us like a weight.

The comments instantly blew up:

[The heroine’s dad is acting up again.]

[Says he gives her the freedom to chase true love, but then won’t let her spend time with her boyfriend. This dad is really a jerk.]

Natalie’s eyes filled with tears, her voice trembling. For a moment, I almost caved—but those comments kept me hard.

“Dad, Dylan is really badly hurt. I’m really worried about him.”

“What’s that got to do with me? I need to sleep at night. I don’t have time to pick you up. If you’re scared to come back, sleep at the hospital.” I sounded harsh, maybe cruel, but years of worry had hollowed me out.

“Huh?” Natalie blinked, stunned. She didn’t know how to react to me giving up the fight.

The comments kept rolling:

[Isn’t he supposed to stop the heroine according to the plot?]

[Just letting a girl sleep outside with her boyfriend—this parent is too careless.]

[No, you people are impossible to please. If he interferes, you scold him for blocking true love; if he doesn’t, you say he’s irresponsible.]

[I still think the heroine’s dad is faking it, trying to make her give up.]

[But he doesn’t know our girl is reborn. In her last life, she killed her father for true love. Our heroine is really determined.]

That last comment made my stomach twist. Killed her father? The words echoed, cold and sour.

Ever since I became Natalie’s dad, I’ve tried to give her everything. Except for her obsession with giving up school and running off with Dylan, I’ve always given in. I’ve worn myself out worrying about her future. But in the end, would I really be killed by my own daughter? I couldn’t tell if I was more angry or just sad.

I waved my hand, exhausted. “If there’s nothing else, go out. I need to sleep. I have to take Aaron out tomorrow.”

“Aaron? Who’s that?”

“A kid. Alright, go out. Don’t disturb my sleep.” I just wanted to close the door and be alone for five minutes. My patience was worn thin.

The comments above Natalie’s head scrolled fast:

“Who’s Aaron? I don’t remember this character.”

“Probably just a random side character, not important, so he wasn’t mentioned later.”