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I straighten, open the door, and go downstairs towards the dining room On the way I meet one of his men He nods to me and I nod back automatically

I open the dining room door and my father looks up and smiles To look at him you would never believe that he sent so so she would cohter I don’t smile back I just stare at him Shocked that all these years I never really knew him at all

He puts his fork and knife down ‘Co his food

I don’t move

He smiles ‘Just because it is delivered in a friendly tone do not regardbut a direct order’

I walk stiffly into the roo I hold it in my left hand and scratch it furiously

‘Come closer,’ he purrs ‘What are you afraid of?’

I take a few more steps

He stands up and, bending down, takes soust it is a blue Dobere with shock Surely not The puppy is the exact age Sergei hen he gave him to me

My eyes move slowly up to his

‘This is a present for you,’ he says, jerking it slightly in my direction

I stare at hiht my father was a s My s He killedit with a puppy He can give then take it away and give it again What a sick freak Only aHe jerks the puppy again to encourage me to take it

I take a step back ‘I don’t want it,’ I say

He scowls ‘If you don’t take it I’ll have to get the staff to drown it’

My mouth drops open and he takes a step towardsin his outstretched hands I put my hands out and take it from him Its body is soft and warm and I feel the tears start to burn the backs of my eyes

I turn around so he will not see therand foyer Rosita is on her hands and knees polishing the marble steps I walk up to her