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It terrifies me, but I can’t live in fear. When this is over we’ll have to compromise, figure out how to mend our relationship for going against his wishes. If he stops paying tuition I’ll get grants and loans. I can work extra shifts, get a roommate . . . those things are fixable. I don’t know why I’ve been afraid of losing his financial support. It’s probably the way Cedric and Izzy have handled those threats.
Me, I can live without that, but not his affection. That would really break me.
I pace the room. There has to be some way I can find answers without losing the love of my father. If only the path forward didn’t feel so impossible to discern right now.
I pick up my phone again, hesitating only a moment before dialing Gabe’s number. He answers almost immediately. “This is a miracle. You’re calling me for a change.” He pauses and then his voice comes out a bit loud. “Are you okay?”
I let out a shaky breath, feeling the tears finally falling down my cheeks. “No. I’ve been . . . That call with my mother really messed me up,” I confess.
“What can I do for you?” he asks. “Do you want me to head to your place?”
“No,” I lie, because honestly all I want is for him to come over, hug me and make me forget everything. But the last thing I should do is to drag Gabe Decker into my family drama. “Maybe just let me talk this out, you know, vent.”
“Of course, I’m all ears,” Gabe says. I hear some shuffling on his end as he settles in.
I take a deep breath, rubbing my aching temples. “Izzy talked to Mom without telling me. And I’m pretty sure she’s hiding something. Dad came to threaten me. If I talk to Mom I’ll lose everything—including his support. I can’t take this anymore . . . I need to know the truth, but losing Dad is not an option.”
“I understand this is important to you. But is satisfying that curiosity worth the blowup it might cause with your dad?” Gabe’s tone is soft and calming.
I sigh, feeling almost defeated. As I do, a sharp pain stabs at my temples, the headache transforming into a blinding migraine. I struggle to focus, fighting against the pain and the disorienting blur that threatens to overwhelm my vision. I take a few calming breaths before I speak, “I just . . . I feel like I need to know. It’s like a missing piece in my life.”
“I know,” Gabe says gently. “But I don’t want you to get hurt by chasing answers.”
“Let me think how to proceed. But if I do decide to meet her . . .” I trail off meaningfully.
“I’ll be there with you, Ame,” he promises.
I manage to thank him, and as I’m about to end the call, agony spears through my skull without warning. Crying out, I clutch my head in my hands as my vision starts to blur, knees buckling. I can feel my body growing heavier like I’m wading through water.
Lately, these headaches have become more frequent and more intense. I’ve brushed them off as stress-related, but this is different and more severe. My vision narrows to a dark tunnel.
And then, everything fades to black. The world slips away, leaving me in a void where pain and consciousness blur into nothingness.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Ameline
As consciousness slowly seeps back, I find myself lying on my bed with Gabe sitting beside me. His blue eyes stare at me with concern. When I glance around, there are various medical instruments laid out next to the bed. Shock and confusion hit me all at once.
Why is he here? When did I move to my bed? The last thing I remember is being on a call with him and then . . . darkness.
“Gabe?” I rasp, then flinch as pain spikes through my skull. It feels like my head is still being crushed in a bench vise.
“Ameline, thank God,” Gabe exhales in relief, taking my hand gently. “I was about to call an ambulance. Are you alright?”
I try to prop myself up, blinking hard against the pounding agony. “Yeah . . . why are you here?”
“You screamed and then went silent on the phone,” he explains, his hand hovering over my arm as if unsure whether to touch me, hug me, or do anything else. “When I arrived you were on the floor, unconscious.”
Should I tell him that this isn’t the first time? It’s nothing major really, just a very bad migraine. I choose not to say anything though. The less he knows the better. I’m already dealing with a lot of things, and my crush for this guy is the last thing I need to add to my list of worries. Though, with his assistance, I sit up slowly, each movement sending fresh waves of pain through my head.
Don’t flinch, I order myself. Just keep it together or he might never leave.
“You shouldn’t have come. I’m totally fine, it’s just a migraine,” I say as casually as I can. Although, if I’m honest with myself I sound like a zombie. Okay, let’s try again. Clearing my throat, I continue, “It happens when I’m stressed, and with finals and the family drama . . .”
Gabe’s eyes scrutinize me. He gives me a look that says, ‘you are a terrible liar.’ Well, he can’t blame this girl for trying.
“Why didn’t you tell me you haven’t been feeling well?” he asks, and I can feel the frustration in his voice.
