With that mystery solved, I continue. “Is the copycat the one who keeps leaving me gifts, or is it some other crazed fan?”
John still smiles like a clown and gives me a simple shrug.
“He gave me gold daisy earrings and a necklace,” I inform him.
John’s eye twitches.
I’d bet a big amount of money that he knew about the gifts, but not what they were.
“Dad?” I prompt him.
I hate giving him that title, but I’ll do it for now if it means this nightmare will end.
John sits up straight. “I’m guessing, yes.”
Done with the games, I grit my teeth. As I respond, my volume increases. “I don’t have time for guesses. I have a stalker out there leaving me bleach in a flask like we’re having afternoon tea!”
“He gave you…” John blinks several times, looking me over. “Are you no longer clean?”
All I can do is gawk in his direction.
He leans forward, placing a hand on the counter and rising to his feet. “Have you been defiled?”
I shake my head. “That’s not what’s important right now.”
John slams a hand on the glass. “Answer me!” My mouth falls open, but not a sound comes out. My heart races in my chest. “Do I need to perform an exam?”
The exams.
I’ve spent years forgetting what those were like.
I can’t think about them right now.
Needing to de-escalate the situation, I try to calm him with a soothing tone. “John, please, listen to me.”
“Don’t call me that! I am your father!” He drops the receiver, backing away as he points his finger at me. “Your garden has been unlocked. I can’t believe you gave your most precious gift away.”
I raise my voice so he can hear what I have to say. “Virginity does not determine value. I’m worth more than a small piece of tissue in my body.”
He slashes his hands through the air as he shakes his head. “You’ve ruined everything!”
Guards rush toward John, and the door on my side slams open as a few bodies rush inside.
Jeremy Milton strolls forward. “Why do you insist on having these meetings without me present?”
John makes eye contact with Milton and frowns. “You.”
Milton waves his hands at the rest of us. “Get out. Nothing said from this moment forward is usable. My client is far too upset.”
An arm engulfs my shoulders and guides me away, and two more bodies flank me. I have zero doubt about who the three people are.
My eyes are glued to my feet as everything finally hits me. What was said, what was implied, and what John reminded me about.
“She’s not staying around to answer any questions.”
“Go.”
The two statements are muffled, like I’m underwater and barely able to hear what’s going on around me.
