Broken

• Chapter 146 •

- ASHTON -

"MY CUPCAKE!"

My eyebrows furrow as I step into the house and set the keys down, my heart sinks as I hear Clementine's distressed cry. She's on her knees, crying over the cupcake on the floor.

"It's fine, I'll just get you another one," I suggest.

Clementine sobs even harder and my eyes pop open in fear. "I WANTED THAT CUPCAKE!" she barks.

I press my lips together, afraid that she's going to murder me over her dead cupcake. "Um... I'll just get you the same one..." I go to grab the car keys and rush back out.

"It won't be the same!" she wails as she mourns her cupcake.

Girls on their periods are literally bombs. I hesitantly step towards her to hand her the pads she made me go buy for her. She frowns when she looks inside the bag, "What the hell is this, Ashton? I TOLD YOU THE ONES WITH THE WINGS, WHAT THE FUCK AM I SUPPOSED TO DO WITH THESE?" she roars.

My eyes widen in fear, I'm officially scared for my life. "I'll be right back," I mumble before rushing out the door.

"WHERE ARE YOU GOING?"

I wince as I hear her yelling from inside the damn house, it's like Satan has possessed her. Fuck's sake it's just a cupcake! And what the fuck are wings? Pads have WINGS, now? Don't even get me started on the wide range of tampons they had on display. Why do they need all these different kinds? They just need the blood not to pour out, right? Why can't they just decide on one fucking kind and relieve males from this stressful duty?

I drive to the nearest pharmacy, ask the lady for pads with wings, and proceed to head over to the bakery to pick out a few cupcakes in a hurry. I rush back to feed the Kraken before she blows the house up.

"Here you go," I mumble as I slowly and carefully hand her a box full of cupcakes and her WINGED pads.

She sniffles, still in the same spot I left her. She finally wipes her cheeks and opens the box, stuffing her face in the cupcakes, "Thank you..."

___________________

"Pizza's early," my eyebrows furrow as the doorbell goes off. Clementine groans as I shift from under her on the couch. I scoff a laugh, "Okay, Clem... I gotta actually answer the door if you want your food."

She whines and waves me off, sitting up on the couch. I shake my head at her as I pull out my wallet and go to open the door. Only it's not the pizza man. It's my father.

"Hello, Ashton..."

My heart trudges, "What are you doing here?"

He shakes his head, "Came to drop off my keys... And, I would really appreciate it if I could speak to you for a moment."

I frown, what game is he playing? "I have nothing to say to you."

He clicks his tongue in irritation, "Ashton..."

"Hello, there..." Clementine cuts through the tension as she joins us.

Father's eyes dart from me to her, "I didn't realize you had company..."

I clench my jaw, "You don't realize a lot of things."

Clementine presses her lips together as father sighs, "I know you don't want to see me right now... But it will only take a few moments."

Clementine squeezes my arm, her eyes plead with mine, "Just go... Hear him out," she breathes into my ear.

I roll my eyes, "You've got two minutes."

He gives me a tight-lipped nod before heading out the door. I purse my lips in thought.

"What do you think he wants?" Clementine asks me.

I shrug, "No clue."

She sighs, "Well you're about to find out... Good luck, I'm here if anything goes wrong. And don't beat him up," she narrows her eyes at me.

I smirk before heading out the door, "I'll try."

"What do you want?"

My father clears his throat, "I came to... Apologize, I suppose. I know I haven't been the best of fathers, or a father at all," he shakes his head, "But I want you to know that I loved your mother very much. She was everything good in the world, I didn't deserve her. I... Didn't know what to do after what happened to her... I was a coward. I didn't want to acknowledge what had happened to her. I didn't want to believe something so terrible. I was a complete prick, I left her alone... I got a letter from her when I was in Switzerland on business..." he shuts his eyes tightly.

His jaw trembles and my heart falls slightly when I realize that he's crying. This is the first time I've ever seen my father cry. "It... It was a suicide note... I rushed straight to the airport. I called everyone I knew to go find her, to help her, until I got there. I wanted to apologize to her for everything, tell her how much I loved her and how I would never leave her side again... But, I was too late."

Tears fall off his cheeks. "I got a call while I was boarding the plane, saying that she was found dead... I couldn't get on that flight, knowing that your mother was no longer in this house," his gaze shifts to the house.

I clench my jaw, "And you didn't think of me or the twins?"

He shakes his head, "Of course I thought of you. I didn't think about how my absence would affect you... I knew I couldn't raise you. You reminded me too much of your mother, and I could never do it without her. I thought you'd be better off without me, I thought I was doing what's best for you. So I sent my best, loyal, kind friend to take care of you..."

"Aiyana..." I breathe. He nods sadly. I thought she was just a random woman he sent to take care of us because he couldn't be fucked to do it himself.

"I realize that I'm a terrible parent, and there isn't a day that passes by where I don't wish I had done things differently. I treated you so toughly because I've always seen your potential, I don't want you to spoil it. So I was always hard on you. Tried to make you a man... But honestly, you're more of a man than I'll ever be... When you said those things to me last time we spoke, it really woke me up. I had no idea you were feeling like this... You gave me a lot to think about," he admits.

My eyes lock on his, and he clears his throat, "However... The past is in the past, I suppose. I know I can't make up for all those years, but I thought you should know my side of the story... It was never my intention to hurt you, Ashton. You or your mother... She was everything to me... Anyway, I've transferred money to your bank account, and I'll keep doing so monthly. Should be enough to pay for the kid's education, and yours... If you decide you want to go to college."

My stomach knots up, "Thank you..."

He nods, and we remain silent for a while. "I truly am sorry," he tells me with a faint smile before he starts towards his car, "And I hope you achieve your goals in life, son."

I cringe slightly. A strange sensation comes over me, there's a stinging in my throat. Forgiveness surges through me. I want to tell him that it isn't too late, that he can still be part of our lives. But I know better... I know he's not fit to be a parent, no matter how pure his intentions are. And that's okay. It's just not who he is...

He gives me a sad smile and nods in comprehension before climbing into his car, "Goodbye, Ashton."