TAKEN BY LUCIFER

"I want you to get married."

Adley's brow furrowed in confusion. Her father's request for her to get married felt like a stark departure from everything he'd instilled in her. He'd always championed her independence, her ability to stand on her own two feet. But all of a sudden, he wanted her to get married. Why?

 "Dad, what happened? Why so abruptly?" she pressed, her voice laced with confusion.

Her father, Mr. Evans, cleared his throat, his usual booming voice reduced to a murmur. "Ley, I'm getting older," he began, a hint of vulnerability in his eyes. "I'd like to see you settled. Otherwise, what will I tell your mom?"

The sentiment tugged at Adley's heart, but the explanation felt hollow. "I know you're lying, Dad," she said gently. "There's another reason, isn't there? But I'm not going to force you. I know you only want what's best for me."

Mr. Evans sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. "Oh, Ley. You're the best daughter a man could ask for." He pulled her into a tight embrace, the gesture conveying more than his words. "I apologize, sweetheart. There are things I can't explain right now."

Adley squeezed him back, her heart swelling with a mix of emotions. "That's okay, Dad," she murmured. "I have something to tell you too, actually."

Mr. Evans looked up, a flicker of curiosity replacing the earlier tension. "What is it, Ley?"

Taking a deep breath, Adley blurted out, "I love someone, Dad." It was a confession that had been on the tip of her tongue for a while, but fear had held her back. She wasn't sure how he'd react, especially considering his grief over her mother.

"Who is he, Ley?" Mr. Evans's voice was neutral, making it difficult to decipher his emotions.

"I know I should've told you before, Dad," Adley began, her voice dropping to a whisper. "But I didn't want to remind you of Mom. I'm so sorry."

Mr. Evans reached out, gently lifting her chin. "Hey, look at me," he said softly. "I'm not mad at you, sweetheart. I just want to make sure he treats you right,.

Relief washed over Adley. His acceptance was more than she'd dared to hope for. "You mean you are ready to meet him?" she asked, her eyes wide with surprise.

A hint of a smile played on Mr. Evans's lips. "Of course, darling. After all, he's the man who captured my daughter's heart." He reached out and patted her head affectionately. "Ask him to fly down here before Saturday. We'll have a chat, and if he passes my little test, well, let's just say there might be an announcement at the family gathering this weekend."

Adley's heart soared. Her father, surprisingly, seemed open to the idea. And she knew Liam, with his kind heart and genuine nature, would surely win him over. In contrast to Adley, Mr. Evans was a softie at heart, even if he put up a gruff exterior. 

"Sure, Dad, I'll call him right away," she replied, hugging him tightly. The feeling of his embrace, a constant source of comfort in her childhood, filled a void she hadn't realized existed.

"Excellent," Mr. Evans said, his eyes twinkling. "Now, I have some work to attend to. Enjoy your time here, Ley."

After her father left, Adley wasted no time. She dialed Liam's number, a giddy excitement bubbling in her chest. "Guess what?" she announced as soon as he picked up. "Dad wants to meet you!"

"What really!?" Liam's voice held a surprise.

"Yes. He asked you to meet him before Saturday."

"Ok, I will book the tickets right away." Liam took a deep breath. "I hope he likes me. I don't want to lose you, Ady."