That’s a no.
“I don’t get it.”
“Don’t get what?”
I shake my head. “You’re never satisfied, are you?”
“In what context?”
I let out a groan. “I know about the other woman.”
“Your friend Wilder needs to stay out of my business,” he snaps.
I roll my eyes. “Wilder didn’t tell me. He didn’t have to. I just want to know how many other half-siblings I have in this town that you’ve kept a secret.”
Dad crosses his arms over his chest. “Don’t get smart with me, young man.”
“Did you even love Mom?”
His eyes shift to the carpet. “What do you want, Cash?”
What do I want? I want my family back together. No, not that. I want a new family. One that doesn’t manipulate, control, and destroy one another.
Wait… I think I have that.
Wilder and Ingrid.
They’re my family now.
And I think I know what I want.
“I know I can’t access my trust fund until I’m 25, but I’d like my college fund,” I tell him. “I want to go to New York and figure out what I really want to do with my life.”
“New York?” Dad gasps. “Are you serious, Cash!”
Dead serious, Archibald.
“I know you’ve worked hard your whole life for everything that we—you—have,” I say to him. “And I understand if you don’t want to give it to me, but I just need to cover rent while I explore my options. I won’t blow it on tattoos or drugs or alcohol.”
“What about Johns Hopkins?” Dad says, more resigned than I thought he’d be.
“If it ends up being what I want, I’ll figure out a way to pay for tuition.”
Dad nods slowly. “I guess after everything your mother and I have put you through, running away to New York isn’t the worst thing in the world.”
“I’m sorry if I’ve disappointed you,” I say.
“You haven’t disappointed me,” he returns with a small smile. “You’re much stronger than your mother ever gave you credit for.”
“Uh... thank you?”
Dad studies me for a long moment, like he’s seeing me for the first time. Not as Fanny’s son. Not as his legacy. Just me.
“I’ll give you the money on one condition,” he says.
Oh great.
“What’s the condition?”
