Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 74390 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 372(@200wpm)___ 298(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74390 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 372(@200wpm)___ 298(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
“I see.” I could see the worry in her eyes, but she did her best to keep a brave front. “Just give it some time. It’ll all sort itself out.”
“I don’t know, Mom. It was pretty bad. I’m not sure Malcomb will be able to forgive me.” Dalton was standing in the corner, and I couldn’t help but notice that he seemed to be slightly intrigued by the mention of Malcomb. I didn’t want to say something I shouldn’t, so I told her, “Regardless, I think it’s best if we go.”
Dad nodded, then said, “I’ll help you get your bags in the car.”
“That’s okay. Jackson can...”
“I’ll do it,” he insisted. “It’ll give us a minute to talk.”
“Okay.” I turned to Jackson and Dalton as I said, “You guys do a quick walk-through and make sure we got everything.”
“Sure thing.”
Dad grabbed what bags he could, and I got the rest, then followed him out to the car. Once we had everything in the trunk, he turned to me with a serious expression on his face. “I want you to know that I really thought I was doing the right thing. I thought you would eventually get over him and put all this behind you.”
“I don’t know what you’re saying, Dad.”
“I’m the reason Malcomb broke things off with you.”
“What?”
“It was me.” He let out a breath before adding, “I told him if he really loved you, he’d let you go.”
“But why would you do that?”
“I knew you’d never take that scholarship if he was around, so I told him to break it off with you.”
“You didn’t!” I stepped back in horror. “You knew how I felt about him. You wouldn’t have done that to me.”
“I did,” he admitted. “You earned that scholarship! You deserved a chance at a good life.”
“But I loved him!” I screeched. “And he loved me!”
“You were just kids. You didn’t know what love really was.”
“I can’t believe you’re saying this!”
“I know you’re upset, but I still think it was the right thing to do.”
“And what about when you found out I was pregnant with his child? You watched me spend all those days and nights heartbroken and crying. You watched me struggle when Dalton was born. I could’ve had someone there to help. Maybe then, I could’ve kept that scholarship. Did you ever think of that?”
“You could do so much better than that boy.” He sounded utterly defeated as he admitted, “I’ve always thought a lot of Cotton and Cass, but everyone knows what that club is all about. Those men are dangerous criminals who have no regard for anyone but themselves. I know you don’t want to hear it, but I didn’t want you or my grandchild involved in that. I still don’t.”
“That’s not your choice to make. It never was.”
“Of course, it is. I’m your father,” he spat. “It’s my job to protect you.”
“But you didn’t!” I argued. “You hurt me, and you hurt my son!”
“Malcomb isn’t the man for you. He never was. You need to let him go and move on. For your sake and for Dalton’s.”
“I can’t let him go! I love him! I always have.”
“Then, you’re a fool!”
“Just stop!” I ordered. “I don’t want to hear another word.”
I felt like my world was crumbling beneath my feet. I couldn’t believe that my father had done such a cruel thing. His actions cost me more than he could fathom. Not only had I lost Malcomb, but I’d also lost my trust in him, and I wasn’t sure if I’d ever get that back. Infuriated by it all, I turned and shouted towards the house, “Jackson! Dalton! Let’s go!”
“Don’t leave like this.” Dad reached over and took hold of my arm. “You know I love you and only want what’s best for you.”
Before I could answer, Dalton and Jackson came rushing out with Mom. Having no idea what was going on, Jackson smiled at my father and said, “It was good to see you, Mr. Hollings. I appreciate you letting me hang out with you for a couple of hours.”
“The pleasure was all ours.”
Mom helped Dalton into his car seat and then hugged him one last time. After she closed the door, she walked over to me and wrapped her arms around me, hugging me tightly. “Are you okay, sweetheart?”
“No, Mom. I’m not.” I was overcome with emotion—a mix of betrayal, anger, and devastation. I had to know if my mother was a part of it all, so I took a step back, looking her right in the eye as I asked, “Did you know?”
“Know about what, sweetheart?”
“About Dad’s conversation with Malcomb.”
“He talked to Malcomb?” She glanced over at Dad with anger in her eyes, “What did you do?”
“He broke my heart. That’s what he did.”
Without saying anything more, I got in my car and pulled out of the drive. I was an absolute wreck. I felt like my entire world had been turned upside down, and I had no idea what I was going to do about it. Noting my unease, Dalton whispered, "Momma... you okay?"