#Chapter51
Even hurt, I couldn't disobey him. Even with him hurt, I accepted his comfort. He pulled me into his arms, pulling me onto his lap. His hand found mine, closing around them and squeezing.
/"I tried. I thought maybe he was right, but he wasn't. Thinking about my future, about my days without you in it, it hurt worse than this ever could./" He waved to his face. /"I love you, Oz. I meant that; tell me that you love me too. Tell me that you want me here as much as I want to be here, and I promise that he won't keep me away from you./"
/"I do./" Words failed to bring justice to how much I needed him. Wanted him. Words failed. My arms wrapped around his neck, squeezing him so tight that I could hardly breathe. /"I do, Daddy. But what if he hurts you again?/"
/"It's a risk I'm willing to take. But I don't think he will. He just lost his temper. He told me to go away. He told me twice before he hit me. I didn't fight back, either./"
/"Why not?/"
