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“I called to confirm, but you didn’t pick up.”
“Well, I didn’t answer because I was still upset with you for standing me up two weeks ago.”
I rub my hand across my beard in confusion. “Standing you up?”
“Yeah. Why do you think I’ve been cold to you? I thought you would figure it out. I was so mad that I spent the weekend with Grace.”
I exhale loudly and shake my head. Linda! That woman will rot in hell for doing this to my daughter and me.
“Sweetie, I went over to the house to pick you up. Your mom told me you went for a sleepover with your friends. I tried calling you, but you switched your phone off.”
“But she told me you canceled because you had to work on the election project.”
“I promise you I told her no such thing.”
“I was so upset that I switched off my phone and went to Grace’s. And Mom now told me to call you about picking me up after school.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose in frustration, not wanting to state the obvious to my daughter. Linda wants to spoil my weekend plans and make me look bad to Amber. I can only hope Amber figures out her mom has been meddling. No way will I blacken her name in my defense. I won’t play Linda’s game because Amber will suffer for it.
“Oh, Dad. I’m so sorry.”
“Why? You don’t have to apologize for anything.”
“No, really, I do. I heard her tell Aunt May yesterday that she will make your life miserable. I promise I wasn’t eavesdropping! I was passing by the living room. I didn’t really understand what she meant until now.” Amber’s voice rises in distress. “I can’t believe she’s been using me to get to you! Sometimes the things she told me didn’t make sense, but when you didn’t show up, I just thought—”
“Sweetie, it’s fine. It’s not your fault. If I had been there for you in the past, you wouldn’t have believed her.”
When I hear her sniffing, my heart tightens.
“Tell you what, I’ll tell Steve to turn the car around. We’ll spend the weekend together.”
“No, Dad. I don’t want to ruin your plans.”
“No, Pumpkin, you’re the most important person in my life. I’m more than ready to change my plans for you.”
“I don’t want you to. I’ll go to Michelle’s after school and see you when you get back.”
“Will you be alright?”
“Yeah. I need to get away from Mom for a while.”
“I understand. Next time, when in doubt, call me to verify. I’ll do the same. I won’t act until I confirm with you first.”
She sniffs. “Okay, Dad. I’ll do the same.”
“That’s my girl.”
“I love you, Dad.”
My heart bursts with joy. “I love you, too, sweetie. We’ll spend some time together when I get back.”
“Alright, Dad.”
I hold the phone to my chest after she ends the call. I feel as if I’m in a dream. I’m so elated, I want to laugh out loud. I can’t remember the last time Amber told me she loved me. I knew this day would come, when she would finally see Linda for who she truly is, but I didn’t envisage it would be so soon.
As I arrive at the airport, I’m told my private jet is already waiting on the tarmac. I’m completely blown away when I see Hailey in the private lounge. She looks like a million bucks, dressed in an olive-green jumper and a wide black belt cliched at her waist. Her heels click on the floor as she walks towards me and sizes me up with a dazzling smile.
“You’re the most beautiful woman in the world.”
