Rejected: A love story-Chapter 86: Go and bring Fiona home

The living room smelled like burnt something—burnt stew? Burnt pudding? Burnt everything?

No one could tell.

Catherine sprayed air freshener around for the fourth time, fanning the air dramatically.

"Mum, the whole house smells like smoke. Are you sure the food is edible?"

Valerie shot her a sharp look. "Be quiet. Your father will soon be back. Don’t spoil things."

Catherine whispered under her breath, "The food already spoiled itself."

Valerie ignored her.

A few minutes later, they heard a car stop outside. Catherine quickly dropped the air freshener like she hadn’t been fighting for her life with it two seconds ago. Valerie straightened her apron and wiped sweat off her forehead again.

Duncan entered the house looking tired, dusty, and ready to collapse. His shirt was wrinkled, and his tie was halfway loosened. He placed his bag on the floor and fell into his usual chair.

"Welcome, honey," Valerie said sweetly.

Catherine rushed to remove his shoes like the perfect daughter. "Dad, you must be tired."

"Tired is an understatement," Duncan muttered, massaging his neck.

Valerie clapped her hands twice, before speaking. "Catherine, bring his food." 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Catherine whispered, "God help him," then hurried into the kitchen.

She returned with a tray holding a plate of food... if it could still be called food.

The pudding was too thick, the sauce looked like porridge, and the chicken was the only thing that looked edible.

She set it carefully on the table. Duncan looked at it, blinking twice before swallowing

Duncan swallowed.

"Eat, honey," Valerie said proudly.

He picked up his spoon, took a deep breath, and tasted the food.

The spoon didn’t even reach his throat before his eyes widened.

He coughed hard and Valerie rushed to him. "What is it?! Is it too hot?"

Catherine leaned to the side and whispered, "Hot? Mum, that thing is fighting for its life."

Duncan waved them off quickly. "No, no—I’m fine. Perfectly fine."

He took a sip of water like someone who just survived danger, He had always managed Valerie food but this particular one was worse.

Valerie placed her hands on her hips. "Honey, tell me the truth. How is it?"

Duncan straightened in his seat. "...It’s good."

Valerie raised a brow.

"It’s... really good," he added too fast.

Catherine burst into laughter but disguised it as a cough.

"You like it?" Valerie asked again, staring at him suspiciously.

Duncan nodded fast—too fast. "Yes, yes. You’re the best cook."

Valerie sat beside him proudly. "I tried my best."

Catherine muttered, "That’s the scary part."

Duncan pushed the spoon around the plate, pretending to eat even though he wasn’t taking anything in. He moved the chicken slightly and winced when it made a thud on the plate.

Valerie still watched him. "Eat more. You’ve barely touched it."

Duncan gave a painful smile. "Actually, I was thinking..."

Both Valerie and Catherine leaned forward.

"...I want to spoil my two beautiful ladies tonight."

Catherine gasped with joy.

Valerie blinked. "Spoil us? With what?"

"Pizza," Duncan announced like he was offering them the world. "And soda."

Catherine almost screamed. "Yes! Yes! Yes! Pizza is life!"

Valerie didn’t hesitate either. "Actually... the food wasn’t very good today," she admitted, snatching the plate away from Duncan as fast as possible.

He almost sighed in relief.

"Let me get the menus," Catherine said, running to get her phone before Duncan changed his mind.

Soon, they were settled on the couch, with pizza boxes spread out, and their soda bottles open. Duncan finally relaxed, chewing happily.

"This," he said between bites, "is real food."

Valerie gave him a playful slap on the arm. "So my food wasn’t real food?"

Duncan froze. "I didn’t say that."

Catherine giggled. "Dad, you looked like you were about to faint when you tasted it."

"Eat your pizza and keep quiet," Duncan grumbled.

They continued eating, laughing at random things—mostly at how terrible the earlier food was. Even Duncan joined in.

Valerie waited until Duncan was full and relaxed before she struck.

"So, honey..." she began casually, sipping her soda. "I was thinking about Fiona."

Duncan didn’t even blink. "I don’t have a daughter called Fiona."

Valerie and Catherine exchanged a quick look.

Valerie tried again. "Honey—"

"She ran away with a man," Duncan said flatly. "So she’s not my daughter."

Catherine poked her pizza crust. "Dad, she didn’t exactly run—"

"She left this house," Duncan said firmly. "Without permission. Without explanation. And didn’t show up for my birthday. After everything I’ve done for her? She’s ungrateful."

Valerie placed a hand dramatically on her chest. "We know. It was terrible. Unbelievable. A huge insult."

Catherine nodded quickly. "Very disrespectful."

Duncan exhaled sharply. "If she wants to act like she doesn’t have a family, then she shouldn’t come back."

He sounded completely sure.

Valerie folded her hands, looked away sadly, then slowly turned back to him.

"It must hurt you," she said in a soft, emotional voice.

Duncan shifted, uncomfortable. "I’m not hurt."

"You are," Valerie pressed. "It’s okay to admit it."

"I said I’m not."

"But she’s your daughter," Valerie continued.

Duncan’s jaw tightened. "Not anymore."

"She is," Valerie insisted. "Whether she behaves badly or not, she’s still your blood."

Duncan kept quiet, but Valerie leaned closer. "Honey... she disobeyed you and she walked out. She embarrassed you. You can’t just let her get away with that."

Catherine chimed in with a supportive nod. "It’s true, Dad. She needs to be corrected."

Duncan frowned. "Corrected how?"

Valerie seized the opportunity. "You need to bring her home. Make her face you. Make her understand that actions have consequences."

Catherine added, "If she keeps thinking she can disrespect you, what comes next?"

Duncan rubbed his chin, thinking.

Valerie kept pushing. "And that man she’s living with—"

Duncan stiffened. "I know about him."

"You know he’s rich," Valerie said quickly.

"Yes," Duncan admitted. "Too rich for his age. Spoilt and loves trouble."

"So what?" Valerie challenged. "Are you afraid of him?"

Duncan’s eyes widened. "Afraid? Me? Afraid of some rich, spoiled boy? Never."

Catherine smirked. "Exactly. You’re not afraid of anyone."

Valerie nodded proudly. "You are the man of this house. No rich boy with no manners can intimidate you."

Something in Duncan’s expression changed. Pride lifted his shoulders.

Valerie saw it and pushed harder.

"You’re Duncan," she said with confidence. "You’re strong. You’re respected. You handle your family. You don’t let anyone take what belongs to you."

Catherine added like hype-woman number two, "You’re the boss. Everyone knows that."

Duncan straightened up. "Of course I am."

"Yes, you are." Valerie smiled sweetly. "So you should go and bring Fiona home."

Catherine clapped softly. "Yes! Teach her a lesson. Make her understand you’re still her father."

Duncan hesitated—but only for a second, then he nodded slowly.

"You’re right," he finally said. "I shouldn’t let her run wild. That man can’t scare me."

Valerie and Catherine exchanged a victorious smile.

"I’ll decide what to do soon," Duncan said firmly. "But one thing is sure—she can’t stay there forever."

Valerie’s smile widened and Catherine almost squealed.

Their plan was working.