Total pages in book: 18
Estimated words: 16786 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 84(@200wpm)___ 67(@250wpm)___ 56(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 16786 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 84(@200wpm)___ 67(@250wpm)___ 56(@300wpm)
“Are you kidding me right now?” Even I can hear the exasperated tone in my dad’s voice. “You have done everything in your power to push that girl away. She chases after you and you ignore her, even sending her away to school when I begged her to be at home. You’ve spent all your time worried about yourself and your wallet that you never stopped to worry about your own child.”
“So this is why you’ve never fucked me? You were too busy trying to get with my daughter?”
I see my father physically shake with anger as his fists clench at his side. “I never touched you because I love my wife. And she will be the only woman I love for the rest of my life. I only married you to make sure Autumn had a good life where she was safe and cared for. And the fact that you insinuate something despicable about my feelings for her shows your true character. Autumn is a daughter to me just as much as my own children.”
“I don’t believe you,” Porsha snaps, but her face has gone white.
“I worried every night that you’d somehow try to sell her off for money, so I proposed to you to keep that from happening. Autumn is the only reason you’re still in this house, and now that she’s with her father, there’s no need for you anymore.”
My dad turns to me, and I’m by his side. I’m ready to back him up one hundred percent on his decision, as long as I can have my Autumn.
“Call the number on the desk. Have them here as soon as they can.”
I nod and do as he asks. When I’m finished I hang up the phone and look to him and Porsha.
“You’re done here,” he says, pointing to the door. “Get your things and get out. I’ve got a company coming to help you, and they’ll take you wherever you want to go. I had hoped at some point we could have worked this out, but I see now that I was a fool to think there was anything good inside you.”
“Fine!” she shouts and stomps her foot. “I’ve got a list of men dying to steal me away from you.”
My dad gives her a soft smile and nods. “I hope for their sake that you treat them much kinder than you ever treated me. Goodbye, Porsha.”
She screeches as she storms out of the room. I put my hand on my father's shoulder and he looks at me. There’s sadness in his eyes, and I hate that he had to endure someone like Porsha for so long. No one deserves to be treated with such hate. I never heard him say he loved Porsha, and he doesn’t say it as she walks out of his life.
“I have to go to Autumn,” I say, but my father shakes his head.
“No, Hunter. She’s in a good place, and she agreed to be here tomorrow. I know I shouldn’t keep you from her, but you need to give her the right to choose to come home. Because that’s what this will be for her and for you from now on. Home.”
Hearing the word warms my heart. I know he’s right, and going one more day without her will be torture, but I think I have something I can do to get ready for that.
“What time is she getting here?” I ask, and my father smiles.
Chapter Nine
Chapter 9 *Autumn*
I feel nervous as I walk up to the front door. Normally I’d just walk in, but since I left a few weeks ago, it doesn’t feel right.
I smile at my dad, stepmom and the kids. They all agreed to come with me today. Neil was so excited when I asked if I could bring them, he practically shouted into the phone. I know this will be a little awkward at first, but I place my hand on my growing baby bump and decide that I’m going to be okay.
If Hunter is here, then I’ll get some alone time with him and tell him the news. He doesn’t have to be in the baby’s life if he doesn’t want to—I’m prepared to care for our child alone and without help if he doesn’t want to give any. I will do everything in my power to make sure this child is loved enough for the both of us.
Neil called me yesterday to explain that my mom wouldn’t be here. He said they’re getting a divorce but that he still wants me to be a part of his life. I never expected to gain a family all at once, but I did and it’s kind of great. It sucks that my mom doesn’t want to be a part of that, but maybe one day she’ll change her mind.