I don’t expect my parents to understand, and I certainly don’t think my father will own up to the role he played in any of this.
Even if he willingly entered into an understanding with Mason’s lackey.
I’m not waiting for either of them to roll out the welcome mat, but they can at least stop acting like I’m out to hurt them.
Knowing that neither of my parents believes me hurts.
“Yes, he told me about the loan, but don’t you think there was a better way to resolve the whole thing?”
“I’m all ears, Mom. I’m not going to apologize for doing what I needed to do to save Dad. And I didn’t plan a fake kidnapping just to get back in his good graces. You know me. You know I wouldn’t do that.”
Mason’s enemies were a step ahead, and targeting my father and ex to get to me had been the plan all along.
It was why they’d taken me in the first place.
I still woke up in a cold sweat at night, imagining myself in the silent room with iron bars on the windows and a guard posted outside. A small part of me still can’t believe that Mason swooped in to rescue me.
My mother sighs. “I don’t know what’s happening, London, but it doesn’t feel like we know who you are these days. You are not the woman we raised.”
I suck in a harsh breath, and my ears start ringing. “I’m still me, Mom.”
“You need to take a long and hard look in the mirror, London. The woman we raised wouldn’t have made these choices or jeopardized her future. Don’t even get me started onwhat you did to poor Noah. He wanted a life with you, and he treated you well.”
There’s a lump in my throat as I swallow.
In a daze, I listen to my mom outline all of the ways I’ve failed, and I realize she’s not wrong.
This isn’t the life we talked about, the one I dreamed about and worked toward for years.
In the blink of an eye, I turned my back on everything I’ve known, and I can’t even tell my parents why.
Even if Mason and I hadn’t agreed it was for the best, neither of them would understand.
As far as they’re concerned, Mason is to blame, sent to tempt me and lead me astray, and nothing I say or do will make them believe otherwise.
By the end of her tirade, a heavy ache settles into my bones. I perch on the edge of the bed and listen to my father ranting in the background, and tears prick my eyes. Once she’s done, I bow my head and try to keep the tears at bay.
Crying won’t change what my parents think of me, and it won’t make what I did to Noah any better.
Mason is right.
Emotions are a nuisance, and they have no room in this life. My new life.
“Fine, Mom. I’m a major fuckup,” I interrupt. I stand up and curl my free hand into a fist. “But it doesn’t change that I did what I did for the right reasons, and I didn’t call to have you list all the ways I’ve disappointed you. I know you can’t understand my decisions, but I at least expect you to make your peace with them.”
“London—”
“We’ll talk about it later when we’re all calmer,” I continue. “Just please stay safe. Both of you.”
Without waiting for a response, I hang up and squeeze my eyes shut.
A heartbeat later, I cross over to the door and wrench it open.
Katia falls into step beside me as I take the stairs two at a time, needing to drown out the roaring in my ears. I find Mason’s office and give a quick rap on the door before throwing it open. Mason is sitting behind his desk, the first few buttons of his shirt undone, and a drink in hand. He motions to Katia, who disappears and pulls the door shut behind her.
Slowly, he stands up, and his eyes sweep over me. “You look like you want to kill someone.”
I cover the distance between us, wind my fingers through his hair, and kiss him.
