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Both Ivy and I take a seat across from him, she pulls my hand to her lap while my dad drags his hand down his face.
“As you can see, we are together and that’s not going to change. I know it makes you uncomfortable because we’re both your children, but I love her, and she loves me.”
He sits back in his chair with his arms crossed over his chest, “It definitely makes me uncomfortable that my two children are dating. I don’t think that needs to be said, but that’s not my biggest issue with this situation.”
I sigh and wait for him to tell me the real problem.
“You aren’t good enough for her, Nash. You never will be. You went to prison for attempting to rape my wife after kidnapping her. You are a drug addict. You will never, and I do mean never, be fucking good enough for Ivy.”
“Dad,” Ivy looks heartbroken, “He treats me so well. Did you know he bought me a gallery so I could pursue my dreams?”
He runs his hand through his graying hair, “I did not. It changes nothing, Princess. You’re beautiful. Many men would be willing to spend obscene amounts of money on you.”
My dad stands, “We are done here, Nash. I don’t want to see you again. The court order has expired, I expect you to be out of my house in seventy-two hours.”
Ivy gasps, I rise out of my chair and help her up, “It’s okay, baby. It’s nothing other than what I expected.”
I look at my dad one last time, “I’m well aware I’m not good enough for her. But I love her like you do Mercy. And by some fucking stroke of luck, she loves me back. I don’t want to lose what little family I have left. But I can’t walk away from her. I won’t. This runs too deep. I respect your decision. I will be gone in seventy-two hours. I’m taking Ivy with me. You will not see me again.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
IVY
After we left my dad’s office, Nash got quiet. I know it’s bothering him, but I also know he won’t walk away from me. There’s nothing either of us can do to change his mind. We are back in my bedroom at my parent's house to pick up all the paintings I’ve done recently. We’ve decided on a gallery opening event in three weeks.
Once we get them all out to the vehicle, with our overnight bags, we head to the gallery where we are staying tonight. After what my dad said, neither of us wanted to sleep another night in his house. I know my dad well. He will get over this eventually, but it might take a while. I write my mom a note. I didn’t even say goodbye since she had taken Riley to a horse camp for autistic teens. Nash found it for her after spending hours researching how to help kids on the spectrum.
Mom,
I’m sorry to tell you by leaving a note. I won’t be home tonight. Dad knows where I am, but I don’t want you to worry. I promise we’ll do lunch and shopping soon.
Love,
Ivy
Standing outside, I glance at the house, filled with surprising sadness. While I’ll be back to get the rest of my things, I’ll never sleep another night here. I remember when I came to live here as a small child.
We walked into the house; the biggest one I had ever been inside. I tried my best not to look shocked, but I’m sure I failed.
Mercy says, “Let me show you your room.”
Now the shock was apparent when I said, “I get my own room?”
She giggled and said, “Where else would you sleep?”
My mom had a one-bedroom apartment. She had the room, and I slept on the couch. It’s how it’s always been. I never questioned it. I hug her tight, “I’ve never had my own room.”
When I walk into the Princess bedroom, I think I must have died and gone to heaven. There are princesses on the wall, including Elsa, my favorite. There’s a princess comforter, sheets, pillowcases, and toys galore—my heart pounds in my chest from excitement.
First, I look at the life-sized Elsa doll on the bed, and then my gaze travels to the bookshelf lined with hundreds of books.
The best part of this memory is bringing Mercy a book and asking her to read it to me. We snuggled up on the bed while she told me the story about a princess. I listen to her every word, and her voice is mesmerizing. Before I know it, I fell asleep in the comfort of her arms.
Nash places his arms around me, holding my back to his front, “Are you okay, baby?”
I hum in his arms, “Yeah, I was thinking about the day they brought me home to live here.”
He brushes the hair off my neck and leans in, kisses my neck, and says, “If you want to stay you should stay, baby girl. I won’t push you into something you’re not ready for.”
