Chapter 184

• Silence spreads yet again between my father and I, but this time it feels tense and strained. I can hear movement and the soft mumbling of people downstairs, but within these four walls it's as though both my father and I are afraid to even breathe. Luckily it doesn't take too long before my father breaks the silence by clearing his throat. My eyes are still fixed on the uneven floorboards as I'm still feeling extremely vulnerable after my outburst. My father's heavy footsteps move closer and soon the tips of his newly shined shoes enter my line of sight. His movements are slow, tentative almost, as though he is approaching some wild unfamiliar animal. Then he expels a deep sigh and suddenly I'm wrapped into his strong arms in a deeply awaited embrace. On instinct my arms find their way around his waist and I hold on tight, welcoming my father's comfort.
• "I'm so sorry, Bella," he whispers gruffly in my ear and tears immediately well up in my eyes.
• I bury my nose in his chest and breathe him in. The familiarity of him and his tight hold on me is exactly what I've been missing. I've desperately been needing my Dad in all of this and finally it feels as though I have him. He holds me close for a long time, repeating those much needed words of apology, and it's as though I can feel some of the rifts in my heart begin to heal.