Build And Break novel Chapter 70

"Do not call me that." Angela exclaimed in a harsh tone and couldn't hold back the hurtful sob that rose in her throat. "Don't call me that."

Her mind went back to relive her teenage day. When she was the young woman who searched for her father's guidance and comfort while growing into a woman, the young woman who struggled to reach high in her studies and career to maybe win her father's approval, the young woman who whatever good she'd done in her life, she never got her father's attention.

But all the hope she had that her father was a better man now was gone. Her father had known she was pregnant. He had known she was living the poor, hard life and he did nothing. He ignored her and rather, he pushed her away even more. He cut her from his life. All she saw before her was the same man she always remembered. The man who she always believed had no heart.

Angela backed away in little steps as she shook her dismissive head at Jack. "I thought I might give you a second chance in my life. But, no, you don't deserve that."

And without missing another beat, Angela dashed for the door, ignoring her father's plea to stay.

She ran down the same corridors as before. This time, she was somehow running even faster and she was running the opposite way. She had to get away. She had to run away from the man who she thought she could put everything behind and start over with. The man who had ruined most of her life.

When she had passed through the exit and the chilly air hit her fresh tears, her body shivered but that didn't stop her from running. She was only aware of her need to escape. She wasn't aware of anything else. Not of the people staring at her, not of the cars blurring past her as she raced into the parking lot. She was much less aware of the footsteps following her or the multiple calls of her name until a hand grasped her arm impeding her from moving further.

"Let me go. Just let me go."

"Never." Was Steven's reply when Angela frantically struggled and squirmed to free herself.

He tried to catch her free flying hand but she fought it. So he just let her hit him, let her dig her nails into his skin, let her strike her fist at his chest and he just held onto her other arm tight. He just let her go of her much repressed emotions.

"I can't... I have to... I... can't... be..."

And when her knees buckled with defeat and her body dropped on the concrete, he crouched down to her and he held her again. This time, wrapped completely in the solace of his comforting arms. He didn't speak. All he did was hold her still.

Angela couldn't fight anymore. She just wept in breathless sobs and trembled with the pain coursing through her. And she held onto Steven, her fingers balled on his shirt. "I can't do this. I feel... so much hurt. So much. And it's not fair. I don't deserve any of this."

"Yea. Me too." His lips transformed into a full happy smile.

"But I don't think I can."

Steven's smile dropped. "Why not?"

"I'm not ready to do that yet." Angela placed a hand at his cheek, caressed the skin with her thumb. "I really wish I am because... I need you too. But you hurt me, Steve. You really did."

Steven tightened the fingers wrapped around hers tighter. "I'm not asking you to forgive me and I never will but I think I earned my second chance. Just take all the time you need but please don't keep me waiting too long and come back to me. I miss you. And I still love you. You know that, right?"

Angela nodded barely.