Mommy, Where's Daddy? The Forsaken Daughter's Return

Chapter 61: The Unexpected Visit

"Chef Sam, someone... is here to see you," said one of the servers of the Pearl Diamond Restaurant on a Friday afternoon.

Samantha was just about to finish the lunch service with her team when she was informed of a visitor so formally. She frowned and asked, "Is it, my husband?"

"No, Chef... It's General Davis," said the food attendant. "What should I say?"

Feeling her heart racing, Samantha paled at the name of her father. She repeatedly flickered her eyes for seconds. Only after seeing the strange expression coming from the food attendant and some kitchen staff did she say, "Ummm... Why don't you bring him to the lobby lounge and I'll follow."

"Yes, Chef Sam."

"You okay?" Matteo asked, seeing her expression. "What's with you and the military? You had the same scared expression when you went to see the Brown couple."

Turning to Matteo, Samantha answered, "Ummm... It's a long story. Do you mind taking over?"

"Of course," said Matteo. "We are about done here, anyway."

Leaving the kitchen, Samantha made the slowest walk to the hotel lobby lounge. It was nearing the coffee shop where she found her father, drinking a cup of coffee while in his uniform.

When Samantha stood a meter from her father, she asked, "General Davis. I heard you asked of me? What can I do for you?"

Winfield Davis stared at Samantha blankly for seconds. He took a sip from his coffee and asked, "Is that how you address your own father?"

Samantha wound up looking around before she took the seat in front of him. She settled in, clearing her throat before asking, "I'm sorry, but I thought we were going to pretend like we don't know each other... just like the last two occasions when we saw each other."

A scoff left Winfield's lips. He shook his head and said, "We need to have a proper talk."

"What about?" She plainly asked.

"I kicked you out of the house because you angered me with your carelessness," He reminded her.

"I get that," Samantha answered. "But can't a daughter not make a mistake? Was my sin that grave for you to ignore me all these years?"

"You have shamed me - "

"Granted," Samantha cleared the air with her acknowledgment. "I grieved and suffered the consequences, but even if I am given the chance to change everything, I would not change any."

"I have two lovely children and I love them so dearly," Samantha told. She frowned, thinking if she should tell her father that Ethan was the father, but they had both agreed to tell them at the right time.

"They brought me so much joy and I would never regret keeping them," she added.

"You have two children?" Winfield asked with a frown.

"Yes. I have fraternal twins; a boy and a girl. The girl looks like me - like mom," she made sure to include her mother, Sarah Davis, into the picture. "They are your flesh and blood... your grandchildren."

Samantha saw how her father's eyes fluttered. She heard him ask, "Does Ethan know - "

"Of course, he does," Samantha cut off her father's words. "Why would I keep that from him?"

For seconds, there was silence between them. Then Samantha asked, "What brought you here, father?"

It took another second for Winfield to speak. He cleared his throat and probed, "Are you and Ethan responsible for the scandal that came out against Annie? The one that is spreading all over the internet?"

Samantha frowned at her father's probing. She inquired, "What scandal?"

"There is an article that mentions a rising starlet involved in a scandal with a director and producer. It was also shared severely on social media. The article seems to point to Annie," told Winfield. "If you and Ethan had anything to do with it - "

"What makes you think we had something to do with it, father? Why us?" Samantha shot back at Winfield. "And what if it's true? Is it not that hard to believe?"

She sneered and added, "Well, I would not be so shocked. I mean, you believed in your adoptive daughter more than your own."

"Enough, Samantha. What happened to you was not your sister's fault! She did not get pregnant, you did!" Winfield's voice raised, making some food attendants look in their direction.

"This conversation is not going anywhere, but going back to your question, no! Our lives are too busy and occupied to be bothered by one rising star," Samantha said while getting up from her seat. "If you'll excuse me, General. I have work to do."

"Sam!" Called the general. "Whatever it was in the past. Let's forget about it. Forget about what's causing the hatred between you and your sister and I'll - I'll forget about your wrongs... Just make

sure that you or Ethan had nothing to do with the scandal... And... can your husband help me clear this gossip that is going around the internet?"

Samantha could not believe her ears. Clearly, he was here for Annie. He was never really here to make amends with her, but her father was still here to protect her stepsister.

She took a deep breath and collected herself. She sat back down, trying to remember what Ethan told her when the time comes she would face her father once more... For now, she had to eat her pride.

Turning to Winfield Davis, she asked, "And where does that leave me? Am I... your daughter again? Or is Annie still your only daughter?"

"Of course, Sam. You are my daughter," said the general. "Annie is your stepsister."

"Ah, yes. That's right. I almost forgot I'm your real daughter. Sometimes I think I was the adopted one," Samantha murmured, giving a sarcastic tone. "I'll talk to Ethan and see what he can do."

"But Annie needs to be prepared, father. Since I'm back and you'll acknowledge me as your daughter, she needs to remember her place. Remind her how I am your real daughter and she is just the adopted one. Otherwise, I will not help her." Samantha got up and just before leaving she said, "After nearly six years, it was nice talking to you, father."

*** This is property © NôvelDrama.Org.

On the evening of that same day, Samantha and Ethan rode together on the way home.

While Edgar was behind the wheels, Samantha told Ethan about her unexpected visitor that afternoon. She reported, "My father came to see me at the hotel."

"Hmmm." Said Ethan while still typing on his laptop.

"He suggested we might have something to do about a certain scandal that Annie got involved with," she added. "He asked if we could stop if or help him get rid of the gossips going around the internet."

Ethan closed his laptop and kept it inside his bag. He leaned over and kissed Samantha's cheeks. He said, "Good evening, honey."

"Did you hear me?" Samantha asked, raising her brow at Ethan.

"Yes, I heard you," Ethan answered. Without explaining himself, he grabbed his mobile and called for his hacker, Aiden.

On the phone, he spoke, "Aiden, you can turn down the articles and the trolls that are spreading the truth of Annie Davis... for now. I'll tell you when is the next phase."

Hearing her husband's conversation, Samantha's eyes widened. She leaned back in horror and asked, "You - you! It was you all along?!"

"Of course. That woman cannot badmouth my wife without getting punished," said Ethan. "That was just a warning. I have more dirt on her; reason enough for her to leave the country. I'm just waiting for her to make another attack on you and she... she will pay the price."

"How do you even know she will counter?" Samantha probed.

"Sam, she drugged you, guided you into a stranger's room. A scheme like that does not come from a normal girl. Women like her... will always be jealous, vengeful, and bitter. Trust me when I say, she will conspire against you again, " told Ethan.

Ethan took out some documents in his bag and showed them to Samantha. He said, "I had the changes to the children's name done. It won't be in the government's system yet, but at least the paper works are done."

"Sam, both Kenzie, and Kyle are now a Wright. Tell your father, we will be visiting his home this Sunday... together with my parents. It's now the right time to tell your father everything," added Ethan.

Samantha gawked at the papers in her hand. She nearly cried about how Ethan made the amendments to their birth certificates. She looked at him and said, "Ethan, thank you."

"No... being a Wright is yours and our children's rights. You and my children deserve it," Ethan answered. "You are a Wright... so claim it!"

A tear fell down her cheek as she said, "Yes, I am a Wright and I love you so."

"Hmmm. And I too." After pecking on Samantha's face, he leaned back and said, "I wonder what your father has to say when he learns I am your children's father?"

"I am... more interested to see Annie's reaction," said Samantha with a grin. "Gosh, it makes me excited and nervous."