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“Actually, there is.” I inhale a deep breath. “I’m cutting myself free.”
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me, Father. I’m done. I absolve you of your parenthood.”
“Don’t be such a drama queen, young lady. This is ridiculous. Now tell me why you’ve been ignoring my calls.”
“I’m done,” I repeat. “You made it perfectly clear that I was no longer a part of your family when you made me murder my baby and banished me here.” Pain threatens to overwhelm me as I dredge up all the emotion I’ve kept locked away for so long.
Miss Jones sucks in a harsh breath, but I don’t meet her eyes. I can’t, not yet. Not until I’ve got the rest of the words out.
“You broke me, Father. You turned me into a girl I barely recognize. A girl with pain in her eyes and darkness in her heart. And I will never forgive you for that. Ever. So I think it’s best we part ways now, before you hurt me again.”
“Oh for goodness’ sake, Hadley, you were just a child. You had no right thinking you could raise a baby. Besides, Tim couldn’t stand by you, you know that. I made a choice any sane father would.”
“It was not your choice to make,” I shriek, shaking violently. “It was my body, my baby. And you took it from me. But I will never allow you to take anything else away from me. I. Am. Done.”
“Are you forgetting who pays your tuition? Who will pay your college tuition?” he seethes. “You need me, Hadley. Don’t bite the hand that feeds you.”
My stomach knots, because I know he’s right. Without him, I have nothing. But I’d rather have nothing than have everything at a price I’m unwilling to pay for a second longer.
“I’ll figure it out. Goodbye, Father.” I hang up without waiting to hear his reply.
Pressing my hands against Miss Jones’ desk, I drag in a ragged breath.
“H-Hadley?” she says, and I wince, forgetting for a second that she was in the room with me.
Turning slowly, I meet her glossy eyes.
“Is it true?”
“Every word.”
“I had no idea. I mean, I knew you and Tim were... but your parents didn’t tell me.”
“Of course they didn’t.” I let out a resigned sigh. “They didn’t want to taint the family name.”
“You’ve carried this all by yourself?”
I nod, smothering a whimper. I can’t let it in. If I do, it will consume me.
“I’m so sorry, Hadley. I thought I was doing the right thing, I thought I was... helping. They were worried and I... I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault, Miss J.” It isn’t, not really. She didn’t know the truth, and I didn’t tell her. She had aligned herself with my parents because that’s what adults usually did. They sided with their own.
“Let me make it up to you.”
I frown.
“There are only five months left of senior year. I’m sure we can figure something out. Maybe I can speak to James Jagger, too.”
“James?”
“He managed to get those boys of his into the school. I’m sure he could work his magic again for you.”
“Oh no, I think you have things wrong.”
“So, you and Cole Jagger. You’re not... together?” A knowing glint flashes in her eyes.
