“Is she not safe at home? I need something concrete to go on here, Sebastian. I can’t do anything unless you tell me something specific. I don’t want to make her situation worse by intervening at the wrong time.”
“I told you about her childhood, what more do I need to say?” Sebastian asked with frustration.
“Okay, but did she explicitly say something happened recently,” my dad asked patiently, in his voice I recognized as ‘Agent Reznikovsky’.
“She didn’t spell it out, but it was implied,” Sebastian muttered. “Look, if you can just sit down with us, explain to her that she has options, maybe she’ll be able to give you something that will let me step in as her temporary guardian until she’s eighteen. She’s…” Sebastian sighed heavily, and I realized he must be crying because my dad squeezed his arm and held itthere in comfort. “She’s got no one else and I want—Ineedto protect her.”
This is definitely about Shiloh.
I don’t know why I was so jealous of the fact that Sebastian knew something that I didn’t, something clearly important enough to try and get her removed from her home. I should’ve been happy that he was trying to get her help, but I was sad that I wasn’t the one to do it.
“Look,” my dad said with a sigh. “I would be happy to sit down with her and you but only if she’s willing. And you don’t even know that she wants you to intervene.”
“That’s why she needs to know that she’ll be protected, she’ll be safe,” Sebastian stressed.
Wait, help her with what exactly? What the hell is she dealing with that she would need protection? Like, from her dad?
“I understand. But you need to prepare yourself for the fact that she might not want to leave. She’s nearly an adult, there’s really not much that we can do without any proof that there’s anything wrong where she is. I’ve already asked her about any drug use, but she’s denied it.”
What? When did he ask her that?
There was a pause before my dad spoke again. “You don’t know how she feels, do you?”
“No,” Sebastian replied dejectedly.
“It’s great that you care so much about her. And I know you just want to help, but it isn’t as simple as saying she wants to leave home. There’s rules, protocols. And there’s no guarantee that the court would even grant you custody. It’s a long bureaucratic process, are you sure you want to go through that? Does Eden know about this?”
“Yes, I’ve told her, and we’ve talked about it. She’s on board. I just want Shiloh to know she has options. She can have a betterfuture if she wants it.” He sighed with such dejection I was half-tempted to walk over and give him a hug myself. “I don’t want to push her and cause her to shut down, but maybe she’ll listen to you if I’m there. I can try and persuade her to talk to you.”
“You’ve got a big heart, Sebastian. And I know she clearly means a lot to you. So, yes. If you can get her to talk to me, I’d be happy to have a more direct conversation with her.”
“Thank you,” Sebastian said, letting my dad pull him into a hug.
“Now cheer up, birthday boy. We’re supposed to look surprised here in a minute so our wives feel like they’ve succeeded.”
Sebastian pulled away, wiping his face and chuckled.
“Alright. Alright. How’s this?”
Sebastian made a mock surprise expression, and my dad grimaced. “Could you try just a little bit harder?”
Sebastian rolled his eyes and turned my dad towards the house.
Shiloh needs help. I just need to find out what exactly she needs help with, and how to get her to accept it.
I’m tired of being left in the dark. I’m going to get answers one way or another.
???
November 19, Friday
Shiloh
Ijumped when I felt arms around my shoulders but relaxed at the sound of Seb’s voice.
“Hey, güerita,” he sang, resting his chin on top of my head.
I cringed at the nickname, instantly reminded of when Peter called me that while his dick was in my mouth.Vacant brown eyes stared at me.
