Mom's eyes well with tears. "These are serious accusations."
Dad scoffs. "Yes. Accusations being the keyword."
Brax shakes his head. "Why would I lie about this?"
Dad snaps, "To cover for that snake of a wife you have!"
"Adrian! Stop it!" Mom fires back.
Dad breathes hard, staring at her like she's lost her mind.
"You are too blinded by pride," she whispers.
"Mom! Brax is lying!" I try again, desperate, voice cracking.
Brax scoffs. "Believe whatever you want, but I'm done dealing with it quietly. Keep your daughter away from me and from Valentina."
Mom nods immediately, earning a glare from Dad. Still, she says, "Brax, I'm so sorry."
He doesn't look at me. He brushes past me like I'm no one, and especially not the love of his life.
Mom says, "I'll walk you out," to Brax. She avoids looking at me and steers him into the foyer.
Dad stares at me, and I can't tell if he's on my side or theirs.
"He's lying, Dad. I swear," I add.
"Leave the room. Your mother and I need to talk," he directs.
"Dad—"
"Don't say another word, Blue," he warns, putting his hand in the air.
I cave, go into the bedroom my parents keep as mine even though I have my own apartment, and throw myself on the bed. I bury my face in my pillow, wondering how this blew up in my face.
Hours pass, but I'm too scared to move, stuck on the reels, repeating the scene from earlier in my head. Mom and Dad finally come into my room.
I sit up.
"Blue…" Dad starts, then helplessly looks at Mom.
I straighten up against the headboard, even though my insides are burning and ripping apart. I refuse to crumble. I'm an Ivanov. I don't break, and I don't lose. I'm definitely not letting anyone rewrite my love story.
If Brax wants to pretend he doesn't love me, then fine. He'll eventually come to his senses.
"It's all lies," I try again.
Mom sits on the bed next to me. "I've made you an appointment with a therapist."
My gut drops. "What?"
"You need help," she says, her eyes tearing again.
"Dad, you have to believe me, even if she doesn't," I declare.
Pain crosses his expression. He shakes his head. His voice comes out low. "You need help, sweetheart."
"I didn't do anything!" I claim.
