Not for me. Never for me.
I press my hand over the small curve of my stomach, my throat tightening. I don’t want him here out of obligation. I don’t want to be something he has to deal with.
I’d rather have the distance.
Even if it hurts. Even if part of me hates the thought of him actually letting me go.
I keep my eyes closed, even though I woke moments ago. Their voices pulled me out of sleep.
Dad and Ray.Talking like I’m not in the room.
“They’d like to keep her longer,” Dad says quietly. “But the fees are . . . well, they’re not small. And she’s insisting she doesn’t need this anymore. Says we’ve made a fuss over nothing.” He exhales. “I don’t think she understands how scared we were.”
“I’ve told you, I’ll pay.” Ray’s voice is low.
“I don’t want anything from you,” Dad replies. “We’ve been through this.”
“If it’s what’s best for her, why the hell would you let pride get in the way?” Ray snaps. There’s a sharp edge to his voice now. Something restless, like he’s losing patience playing the nice guy around my dad.
“You’ll understand one day, son,” Dad mutters. “When you have children of your own.”
“I have a son already,” Ray says. “And in four months, I’ll have another child. I’m more than capable of taking care of the mother of my baby.”
My stomach twists. Not Wynter, justthe mother of his baby.
“You think that gives you any rights over my daughter?” Dad asks, and I can hear the faint amusement in his voice. “Wynter wants to go home,” he continues. “She’s had enough of thisplace. And she’s doing better. I’m going to speak to her key worker and do what’s best for her.”
“Home?” Ray repeats. “As in Stamford?”
“Yes, of course.”
“No,” Ray says immediately. “No, that’s not happening. She’s seeing a therapist here, and she needs to continue that. She can stay with me and still attend her sessions.”
Stay with him?My stomach drops with dread.
“She needs her family,” Dad says firmly. “And let’s not forget you’re one of the reasons she’s here.”
There’s a beat. “A lot happened,” Ray says finally, his tone quieter now, less assertive. “We both said things we shouldn’t have. We were both hurting. But now I know about the baby, I’m not going anywhere.”
“What exactly do you plan to do with Wynter once the baby’s here?” Dad asks. “Because I know your type. And I won’t watch you break her again.”
“I haven’t thought that far ahead.”
“Do you love her?”
The silence that follows is heavy and suffocating, I feel it settle over the room like something thick trying to choke me. I decide it’s enough and open my eyes, avoiding looking at Ray altogether, and instead I focus on my dad.
“Just for the record,” I say, my voice cutting through the quiet, “I make the decisions. Not either of you.” They both turn to look at me. “I’m ready to go home,” I continue. “I don’t need therapy, or supervision, or people whispering about me like I’m not here. I need my own bed and some peace.”
I glare between them until Dad shifts uncomfortably. “I’ll go and get some coffee,” he mutters, backing out of the room.
The door clicks shut behind him and silence settles again.
“Why doesn’t anyone listen to me?” I snap.
“Because you’re in here for a reason,” Ray replies. “You don’t get to decide what’s good for you and what’s not.”
“I’m taking the tablets,” I fire back. “I’m going to therapy. I’m doing everything they’ve asked, and I feel fine.”
