Tangled Love

CHAPTER 128

An hour later, I'm settled in Gran's old pyjama's with a warm hot chocolate in my hand. A blanket is draped over my knees, providing me warmth. I've showered, removing last night's makeup. My hair is clean and drying naturally, falling down past my shoulders.

"Are you sure you don't mind me wearing Nana's pyjama's?" I ask him, looking up at Pops as he enters the room. He shakes his head at me, placing a small plate of pie in my lap. The delicious smell instantly wafts towards me and my stomach grumbles loudly causing Grandad to chuckle —

"Of course I don't mind Elly, you remind me so much of her," he says sadly, his eyes full of love as he speaks of Nana. I swallow the lump in my throat, remembering the news that she'd died a few years ago. Trevor wouldn't let me go to her funeral and I cried for days, locking myself in my room. I'll never ever forgive him for forbidding me to say goodbye.

"I miss Nana so much," I mumble, settling further into the couch.

"She missed you too, once your father died we never really saw much of you. . . " Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

"My father dying changed lots of things," I mumble, averting my eyes away from him. Moments of silence pass and when I look back up at Pops, his eyes glisten with tears.

"You know now that he wasn't your biological father?"

I nod grimly, the pain still clear in my chest. "He'll always be my father," I whisper quietly. Pops places a hand on my knee, giving me a reassuring smile.

"I always liked him, he was a good man and absolutely adored you. His little princess, that's what he called you."

I smile warmly at him before a thought crossed my mind —

"Did Dad know I wasn't his?" I ask and Pops looks away sadly, nodding at my question.

Wow. I have no words.

There are so many secrets within this family, I'm struggling to keep up. I look away, feeling hurt that I was kept in the dark from all this. I'm the one who it would effect the most yet no-one told me. As if Pops could read my thoughts, he spoke up again —

"You adored your father Emily and your real father wasn't someone suitable to be in your life. You were such a delicate little thing and he was a nasty piece of work. That's why we didn't tell you, it would break your little heart."

I nod at his words, understanding where he's coming from. Jones isn't exactly the type of father who would tuck you into bed at night and read you silly animal stories, doing all the voices.

My hand hovers over my stomach and I silence, debating on whether I should tell Pops what happened. They'd kept me in the dark over so many things and now here I am, doing the same.

How exactly do you tell your grandad your real father shot you and put you in a coma for several weeks?

So that's exactly why I decide to keep quiet about it, I don't want to hurt him any further.

"What happened Elly?" He asks me quietly and I inhale a deep breath, knowing he would ask this question soon enough.

"I don't think I want to talk about it Pops," I shake my head sadly, feeling fresh tears form at the brim of my eyes. I think of Jake, his beautiful smile and the cheeky glint in his eyes.

How can someone so precious to me be involved in something so evil?

"That's okay honey, whenever you're ready, I'm here. You're welcome to stay here for as long as you need."

I nod thankfully at him, giving him a warm smile.

"Thank you, I didn't have anywhere else to go," I say truthfully. There's no way I'm going back to live with Mum and I explained that to Pops on the phone.

"It'll be nice having some company, I get lonely sometimes," he says, taking a bite of his pie. I immediately feel my heart drop to the pit of my stomach. Sadness washes over me as I realise I haven't visited him once since leaving Mum and Trevor.

"I'm here now Pops" I say quietly and he gives me a toothy smile which I happily return. Even though my heart is broken and my life is a mess, I know I can rely on my Pops to get me through it.