Playing along with him is the only thing I know how to do. So, I draw closer to the books. “I’m going back to school?”
“You’re also going to drop out of the business program. I’ve enrolled you in the culinary one instead.”
Shocked, I turn to look at him, glancing for only a second before looking away. “You had no business doing that.”
“And you have no business continuing to study something you hate when we both know it’s not your passion. You love cooking, and you shouldn’t have to do something else just for your family.”
I don’t know whether to be pissed off or touched that he’s paid enough attention to know what I really want to do with my life. I told him that I wanted to be a chef when we were messaging. It was a one-off. Something I mentioned in passing that I didn’t expect him to pay attention to in the slightest.
And that’s the part of this that’s the most confusing.
He’s the one paying attention to me. He seems interested in who I am.
He also locked me in a cabin for days and left me with food he knew I wouldn’t like just to piss me off.
I decide on anger. It’s safer. “You have no right to change my program. I’ve spent years in business school, and then you go ahead and decide that I don’t get to do something I’ve been working on forever!”
“Okay, sure.” He shrugs and leans against the counter, crossing his arms over his chest. “If you want to be unhappy for the rest of your life, then who am I to stop you?”
“Screw you.” I storm over to him with some of the papers in my hand. “I don’t have time to do this. I made a commitment to myfamily, and you walked in here and decided that wasn’t going to be happening.”
“I did.” He grabs the papers and sets them on the counter. “And I’d do it again. You’re miserable going to business school. You told me you hated it and wished you could stop. I’m giving you the push you need!”
“You’re doing nothing but coming into my life and screwing it up!” Or allowing me to go and do the thing I’ve always wanted to do but was never brave enough to tell my family. But I can’t tell him that.
He can’t be my savior when he is also my stalker. My enemy.
I bite the inside of my cheek, trying to hold onto the anger.
I don’t want to be excited about this. Not when Ezra is standing in front of me and making decisions about my life for me.
If he holds me hostage for the rest of my life, is he going to keep doing that? Am I never going to get the chance to live how I want?
Then again, isn’t what he is offering what I wanted all along?
I let out a deep breath. “Look, I don’t know what you think you’re doing beyond trying to control me, but it’s not going to happen. I’m my own person, and I want to live my own life."
He taps the papers on the counter. "And this is the way to do it."
"No, it's not. I'm supposed to go to business school and take over from Skyla so she can go out and live her life in Vermont. I had this all planned, and you’re taking it away from me!”
“I’m giving you what you know you need since we both know you’re never going to do it yourself.”
I throw my hands up in the air, spinning away from him. “You don’t know me!”
“We spent over a year talking, Jade. Whether you want to admit it or not, I know you better than anyone else. I’m the one you told your secrets too. You came running to me at the end of a bad day, and you told me things I quite frankly don’t think you ever would’ve told anyone else. So, if playing the victim in this is going to make you feel better, then go ahead. It’s not going to stop me from pushing you to live the life you want. The life you deserve!”
He strides out of the kitchen, his footsteps echoing down the hall before he slams the door shut.
The entire cabin rattles and when I rush to the door behind him, I find it’s already locked.
I let out a slow breath and turn around, slumping against the door and sinking to the floor. I bury my face in my hands, the tears coming hard and fast.
After a couple of minutes of feeling sorry for myself, I get to my feet and go into the kitchen.
At least if I go back to school, I can see Haven again. She’ll be able to get word to my family that I’m fine and to start working on a plan to get me out of this shit.
I just need to keep playing along with him and everything is going to be fine.
