His words crush what’s left of my composure. I finally have what I always dreamed of, and now, it’s all being ripped away.
“I love you, too,” I whisper. “Thanks for being my dad.”
Stepping into the hallway, my eyes burn with tears. I barely take two steps before I crash into Johnny on his way down the stairs.
He takes one look at me and sneers, “What’re you crying about?”
“I’m sad, Johnny. People cry when they’re sad. It’s a normal thing.”
“Not for you,” he snaps. “You don’t get to be sad.”
I blink at him, stunned. “And why’s that?”
“Because you killed her!” he roars. I flinch. “You killed my mom! This is your fault! You don’t get to mourn her like the rest of us!”
Before I can respond, Ben storms out of his office. “Jonathan, that’s enough.”
But Johnny’s just getting started. “Oh, it’s not enough. She destroyed everything. She’s even fucking Axel!”
My breath catches. “Johnny—”
Ben looks stunned.
“Not that it’s any of your business,” I grit out, trembling with fury, “but Axel and I care for each other.”
I turn to Ben, my voice steady even as my hands shake. “We have feelings for each other. We didn’t plan it, and I’m not ashamed of it.”
Ben processes that, slowly nodding.
“I thought you were with Nik,” he says, almost to himself.
Johnny laughs bitterly. “She is. She’s with him too. She’s a typical whore who can’t—”
Crack.
The sound of my hand connecting with his face silences the room. We both freeze.
I gasp, covering my mouth with trembling fingers. “Johnny… I’m sorry, I didn’t mean…”
“Save it,” he growls, spinning on his heel and storming off. He slams the front door behind him.
I stand there, stunned. My pulse is thundering. My palm still stings.
Ben lets out a long sigh beside me.
“Ben…” I start, but I don’t know what to say. I’ve been in a secret relationship with his son and his son’s best friend. I just hurt his other son. I killed his wife. I might’ve ruined everything.
“It’s okay,” he says at last. “I should’ve seen this coming. I saw all the signs between you two and ignored them.”
He turns to me, his expression unreadable. “I’m assuming everything between you and Axel was consensual?”
“Yes,” I whisper.
“Then that’s all that matters.” His voice is kind, even if it’s tired. “I’ll deal with Johnny. You do what you need to.”
Chapter 41
I pack what I can into the same suitcase I arrived with. It’s amazing how much a person can accumulate in a few months. I know from my first experience that DHS will provide basic toiletries and a stipend for anything else I need, so I focus on clothes and personal belongings. The things that feel likeme.
