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“Why is she so dead set on it? It’s the twenty-first century, Dad. Stuff like this isn’t supposed to happen anymore.”
“You know our world is more nuanced than that, Olivia.”
“Something happened, didn’t it? With Judge Bancroft?” It’s the only thing that makes sense.
“Olivia…”
“I hate it, Dad. I hate that even if I could forgive him”—and I’m almost certain I can’t—“it would be for nothing, because one day, he’ll have to marry Abigail. A girl who wants it even less than Reese does. How is that fair?”
“It isn’t, sweetheart.” He lets out a steady breath. “It isn’t.”
“So I guess it doesn’t really matter if I hear him out or not, because the end result is the same. We were doomed before we ever got started. Maybe this is karma’s way of driving her point home.”
“Olivia, don’t—”
“I’m tired, Dad. You can go now.”
No way in hell am I going to school today.
He squeezes my hand gently before standing. “I’ll talk to Mr. Porter again. Of course, nobody expects you to go in today.”
“Good, because I hadn’t planned on it.”
“You know, Olivia, it feels hopeless now, but you’re young, sweetheart. You have your whole life ahead of you. There will be other boys out there. Other relationships. Ones that are less complicated.”
I lie down and turn my back on him, crushing a pillow to my chest.
“Get some rest. I have to head into the office, but I’ll call you later.”
He hesitates for a second, but when I don’t answer, he slips out of my room, closing the door behind him.
As I lie there, it occurs to me that he didn’t mention where Reese is. Whether he’s still in Saints Cross or gone.
Just like he planned.
* * *
Ihide out at home until Wednesday. By then, I’m going stir crazy and I decide to go back to school.
The longer I wait, the harder it will be. Besides, I have nothing to hide.
At home, it’s like Reese doesn’t exist. No one talks about him around the house. No one talks much at all. I think Fiona is avoiding me, and Dad has been preoccupied with work.
So I’m a little taken back when I walk into All Hallows’ and hear nothing but Reese’s name on people’s lips. Of course, my name is a hot topic too, but I tune it out as best I can.
“Olivia.” Abigail catches up with me.
“Hi.”
“How are you?”
“I… I’m not going to lie, it’s been a rough few days.”
“I heard what happened.”
“You and everyone else.”
“I didn’t look.” She gives me an apologetic smile. “I mean, I did. But as soon as I realised—”
