Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 79438 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79438 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Dad comes around the corner, and when he sees me, his features instantly harden. “Let’s talk in my study.”
Mom and I follow him to his sacred space, and once we’re all sitting down, he levels me a glare, a stern expression darkening his frown. “What do you have to say for yourself?”
Giving my parents a pleading look, I ask, “Can you just hear me out without getting angry?”
Dad just stares at me while Mom sighs.
Swallowing hard, I say, “I want to be independent. I understand image means a lot to you, but I have different priorities. I want to achieve things at my own pace.”
“Achieve what?” Dad snaps. “You’re unemployed, for God’s sake.”
“I’m not,” I argue. Anger starts to simmer in my veins. “I’m starting my own business. I’ve already found two stalls at markets where I’ll sell my artwork. Once I complete the collection I’m working on, I’ll approach galleries until I find one that will give me an exhibition.”
Looking horrified, Mom shakes her head while Dad glares at me as if I’m not his daughter.
Heartache bleeds through my chest, and the urge to cry becomes strong.
Gathering all my courage, I stand up for myself. “I can’t do this anymore. You’re my parents, but you treat me like crap.” I turn my attention to Mom. “You say you love me, but it doesn’t feel like you do. You ignore my texts. You arrange family gatherings and forget to invite me. How do you think that makes me feel? What did I do to deserve this?”
Mom just stares at me in total disbelief.
My gaze turns to my dad. “You’ve never seen any of my paintings. All that matters to you is law school. I’m more than a degree, Dad. I have my own dreams.”
“Enough!” Dad shouts, his face turning red with anger. “I can’t believe what I’m hearing. Where the hell did we go wrong with you?”
His words hit me like a slap across the face.
He leans forward, and folding his hands together, he addresses me as if I’m a criminal in his court. “This is the last chance I’m giving you, Lillian. You will continue to live in my apartment and keep up the pretense that you’re a part of this family. Your mother will send you the application for law school, and you’ll enroll. I’m done putting up with your whims. You’ll do as I say, or I swear, I’ll disown you.”
“Oliver,” Mom whispers. Her eyes dart between my father and me before she gives me a pleading look. “Just listen to your father. This unpleasantness is killing me.”
No.
I swallow my tears back, and my voice is hoarse as I say, “I wish you could’ve loved me for who I am and not who you want me to be.” Getting up, I’m unable to stop a tear from escaping, and it rolls down my cheek. “It’s clear you won’t listen to what I have to say. I apologize for wasting your time.”
When I walk to the door, Mom cries out, “Lillian! Don’t do this. You’re breaking our hearts.”
You broke mine first.
I glance back at my parents. My tone is filled with bitterness and heartache as I say, “I’m sorry I’m such a huge disappointment to you. I’ll let myself out.”
“Let her go, Sophia,” Dad grumbles, his eyes hard on me. “We’ve done everything we could. She has to learn the hard way.”
Lifting my hand to my mouth, I smother a sob as I rush into the hallway. When I reach the front door, I yank it open and flee the house where I grew up.
With every step I take, the crack in my heart grows bigger until it’s a gaping gorge.
God. It hurts.
Feeling like I’ve been abandoned by my parents, I walk back to my apartment, and when I shut the door behind me, I sink to the floor.
Sobs burst from me, and desperately needing comfort, I wrap my arms around my middle.
I don’t know for how long my tears flow, but when they dry up, I’m exhausted. I lean back against the door and stare at the luxurious apartment my father is paying for.
I’m going to make it on my own. I’ll show them they were wrong.
Even if it takes years.
As I get up off the floor, my cell phone starts to beep like crazy in my handbag. I walk to the living room while digging the device out, and taking a seat on the couch, I see one message after the other from Mark and Sadie.
Sadie: What have you done??? Have you lost your mind??? Mom is hysterical, Lillian. How could you hurt her like that?
Mark: Stop being a spoiled brat. You’re becoming a nuisance. You’re twenty-five, Lillian. Get your shit together!
Sadie: Call Mom and apologize right this instant. God, you’re infuriating. You better grovel for their forgiveness.