Who is Alex Stafford from Redeeming Love and what is their importance?

Although this character only makes an appearance in the prologue, Alex is significant in his absence. He is Angel's father, and he never wanted her to exist. He seems to have genuinely loved Angel's mother at some point, but not enough to leave his wife and other family for her. We learn late in the novel that he was once brought to his daughter but did not recognize her. Only after spending the night with him did Angel tell him who she was. He killed himself the next day.