I hastily wiped the tears away with the back of my hands, but I knew my eyes were still going to be red.
"Becca! I didn't expect to see you out here," my mom said, surprised. Then her voice turned stiff. "Does this mean you've finally decided to stop sulking and giving me the silent treatment?"
I turned to face my parents. Their faces immediately became concerned.
"Honey, what's wrong?" my dad said. "Are you okay?"
"Are you feeling well?" my mom asked urgently. "Is something—"
"I'm fine," I said quietly.
"What's wrong?" she repeated. "Why are you crying?"
I exhaled a shaky breath and opened my mouth to speak but nothing came out.
Her lips pressed in a firm line. "It's that boy, isn't it?"
"Grace, don't start," my father said, holding up a hand. He turned sad eyes to me. "Honey, I'm upset you didn't think to tell me about this boy you're dating."
"I figured Mom would tell you," I murmured.
"I would have preferred to hear it from you directly," he said.
"I'm sorry." I shook my head. "It doesn't matter now, anyway."
My dad stared at me, then sighed deeply. "Does that mean it's over?"
Fresh tears filled my eyes. "Yes."
My mom tsked. "I knew he was going to hurt you—"
"Grace…" my dad said in a warning tone. "She doesn't need to hear an I told you so."
My mom frowned at him before turning back to me. "Honey, I know you're sad, but this is for the best."
"I know!" I cried. "Don't you think I know that?I'mthe one who broke up withhim."
They both looked surprised.
"I know it's for the best," I said, my breath hitching. "I know how much you guys have given up for me and I didn't want to do that to him so I broke it off. He was the best thing to ever happen to me and I threw it away. I'm going to be alone forever. Are you happy now?"
My mom's face softened, pity filling her eyes. "Becca, you're not alone. You have us."
I let out a derisive laugh. "You mean I have two parents who are constantly sniping at each other and fighting behind my back and smothering me and treating me like I'm still a child."
I was yelling by the end, but I still saw the pained look on their faces, shock and hurt and guilt.
"Knowing I made the right decision doesn't make it hurt any less," I bit out. "So if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go back to the basement apartment I had tofight for permission to live inand cry my eyes out."
I whirled around and stomped back down the stairs, slamming the door behind me.
I did exactly what I told my parents I was going to do. I sat on the sofa, buried in a pile of blankets, tears burning as they fell from my eyes.
I knew I couldn't put my burdens on Nathan. I cared about him too much to do that to him. It wasn't fair.
But…
It wasn't just that I cared about him.
