Chosen By My Mate's Father-in-law novel Chapter 57

Chapter 57: Chapter 57: Preach

“Hi, Dad,” Michelle said nervously. “What are you doing here?”

Gareth raised one eyebrow and gave his daughter a level look. “I’m here for your parent-teacher conference. I am your father, after all. I was surprised to find that your mother was already here when I arrived.” He tilted his head toward me.

“Um...my mother,” Michelle murmured.

I could practically hear her brain working on overdrive as her eyes darted to me.

I nodded and widened my eyes by just a fraction, hoping that she would just go with it.

I noticed that Michelle wasn’t looking her father in the eye. She probably thought that she was about to be grounded for the rest of her life for trying to pull a stunt like this.

But Gareth lifted my hand and pressed a soft kiss to the back of it, causing me to let out an embarrassing squeak of surprise.

When he gazed at me with an adoring look, I had to fight the urge to snuggle into his warm side.

Michelle’s mouth dropped open in surprise. A mix of shock and relief crossed her face. She probably couldn’t believe that her father was going along with this crazy plan.

I shrugged since I was equally confused as to why Gareth was helping us deceive the principal.

“Dad, I asked...Mom to come for the parent-teacher conference because I didn’t want to...” Michelle swallowed and looked down at her feet. “I didn’t want to disappoint you. I didn’t want you to be angry with me.”

Gareth sighed and scrubbed a hand down his face. “Did you really think that I wouldn’t want to hear your side of the story or advocate for you?”

Michelle rubbed her arm nervously and nodded.

Gareth stared at his daughter with an unreadable expression.

I noticed that there was disappointment in his eyes. But I didn’t think that was directed at Michelle. I believed that Gareth was disappointed in himself since his daughter felt like she couldn’t confide in him.

“Why don’t you sit down, Michelle?” Gareth offered.

Michelle sat, and my heart panged when I noticed how young she looked at this moment.

“Why did you fight those girls, Michelle?” he continued calmly.

Michelle bit her lip and stared at her father. Then, her green eyes went to me.

I nodded encouragingly.

Her shoulders slumped. “The other girls have been messing with me for weeks...months even,” Michelle began with a hint of embarrassment. “The other day at lunch... I just couldn’t take their incessant teasing anymore.” Michelle tightly gripped the edge of her plaid skirt.

Gareth and I exchanged a look.

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