I stood there, frozen, as Richard Windsor's words hung in the air like a challenge. "I'm your father," he said, like it was a fact, not a question.
The air was thick with tension as he took a step closer, his eyes filled with a mix of sadness and apology. "I'm so sorry for your loss, Avery. And I'm sorry for not being part of your life all these years. I didn't know you existed."
I felt like I'd been hit by a truck. A father? I had a father?. The room started spinning, and I thought I was going to faint. I didn't know what to say or do, so I just stood there, staring at him like a deer caught in headlights.
I know I saw everything in Grandma's letter but the reality of seeing that I really had a father was different.
"Avery, I know this is a lot to take in," he said, his voice gentle, like he was trying to calm a wild animal. "But I want to make things right. I want to be a part of your life now. Will you come with me?"
I thought about Grandma's letter, about her wanting me to go with him. I thought about staying in this small town, living a simple life. But then I thought about the possibilities, about getting a better life, about going to college...
My mind was racing, but my heart was beating calmly, like it knew what to do. "Okay," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
Richard's face lit up with a smile. "Good. Pack up your things, we'll be leaving immediately."
I nodded, still feeling like I was in a dream. I packed up my important stuff, we went to Em's house to say goodbye to her, and handed her the key to the diner.
"Take care of it, Em," I said, hugging her tight.
Emma was crying, but she smiled and nodded. "You go, girl. Live your best life."
I got into the car, and we drove off to the airport, leaving the only life I'd ever known behind. The city lights blurred together as we sped by, and I felt a sense of excitement mixed with fear.
When we arrived at the airport, Richard led me to a private jet. I had never seen anything like it before. "Is this...?" I started to ask, but he just smiled.
"Yes, it's ours. We'll be flying in style."
I felt like a princess, stepping onto the plane like it was a red carpet. The interior was plush, with soft leather seats and champagne on ice.
As we took off, I felt a rush of adrenaline, like I was leaving my old life behind and starting a new one.
When we landed in New York, a driver was waiting for us at the airport. We drove through the city, the skyscrapers towering above us like giants.
As we drove through the gates of a massive mansion, I felt like I'd entered a different world. This wasn't a house, it was a palace!
The driver took our bags, and Richard led me inside. The interior was just as impressive, with marble floors and paintings on the walls.
I was still staring at everything in fascination when a woman, probably in her 40s, walked in with two girls who looked around my age.
"What do we have here?" she said, her voice dripping with venom. "It's my husband's bastard child from the love of his life."
The girls looked at me with a mix of curiosity and hostility. I felt like I'd interrupted something, like I was the outsider here.
"Just so you know, you have signed your ticket to hell if you're staying here," the woman said, before turning on her heel and walking away angrily.
I looked at Richard, confused. What was going on?
"Avery, this is my wife, Vivian," he said, his voice calm. "And these are my daughters, Sophia and Olivia."
Daughters?. I had sisters?
Sophia and Olivia looked at me with a mixture of curiosity and disdain. I felt like I was being sized up, like I was the new kid in school.
"Hi," I said, trying to sound confident.
They stared at me but didn't reply to my greeting. I felt like I was already on thin ice, like I was walking on eggshells.
Richard smiled, trying to break the tension. "Avery, I'll show you to your room. You must be tired from the trip."
I nodded, feeling a sense of relief. I was exhausted, and I just wanted to collapse onto a bed.
As we walked up the stairs, I felt like I was entering a new world, one that was full of drama and surprises. What had I gotten myself into?