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She blinked back tears. “I don’t care. If he’s gotten involved, then I’ll go to the administrative office and refuse. You’renotfor sale, Nadia. I’ll never, ever accept you being his….”
She didn’t say whore, but she didn’t have to. I could see it on her face—the anguish, the disgust.
My heart broke into pieces. I turned away and held myself.
Mom touched my back. “I don’t mean to hurt you, honey. I’m saying it because I love you. Dad would rather meet his maker than allow you to use your body in exchange for Paul to pay for his surgery.”
“That’s not how things are with Paul. He’s very kind to me.”
“It’s only because he’s gaslighted you into thinking his arrangement is okay. It’s not for a decent young lady like yourself. If I’m unable to get through to you, then maybe Dad will have to.”
I understood Mom was only trying to do what she thought was right as a parent. In her shoes, I’d probably react the same. However, after hearing her rejection, risking Dad’s rejection was more than I could bear.
I buried my head in my hands and cried.
Mom put her arm around me, and I stiffened. “Mom, please. Don’t tell Dad anything about this right now. The last thing I want is to hurt his. Please.” My voice broke.
“Dad and I love you. But your father would never forgive me if he found out I knew and continued to allow this man to shame you.”
Shame. Mom wasashamedof me.I had no defense to give her. Paul told me he would never love again. There was no future for us, and I’d only become sadder over time.I have to leave him.
“Give me time, Mom. I…I will leave him.”
She hugged me, and while I felt comforted, my heart didn’t mend because Paul had already taken space in it. The hardest thing was knowing that Paul didn’t want my heart.And he never would.
“Let’s try to enjoy the rest of our night. Are you ready to cook?”
Mom had the answer she wanted—that I’d leave Paul Crane—and now she was ready to move on. However, I wasn’t. I felt like I had gone a round in a boxing ring, beat and exhausted.
“I’m tired. Would you mind if I took a nap?”
“Are you still feeling sick?”
“No. I’m just tired.”
Mom frowned but didn’t question me more, and I was grateful for small mercies.
“Okay. I’ll wake you up for dinner later.”
I waited until she entered the kitchen before picking up Paul’s gifts to take to my bedroom. I clicked the lock on the bedroom door, then looked through the bag again. There was my skincare, makeup, and barely-there underwear.
I wish he’d warned me to open it when I was alone.
Mom wasn’t a prude, and I had hoped I’d have the chance to talk with her now that sex was part of my relationship. But that’s never going to happen.
I was about to put the bag away when a slip of paper caught my eye. It was a handwritten note from Paul.
Nadia,
Your song has grown wings. The hook is insane, and I can’t wait to share it with you. Maybe you’ll sing it for me? You have a voice created to share.
I also have a craving for Flaki stew. Can you make it and serve it wearing one of those polish folk dresses? I swear, if I see that headscarf, I will lose it.
I laughed out loud.
I bet you’re laughing. I miss your laugh. Hell, you’ve only been gone two days, and I feel like it’s been forever.
Tell me what you need from me, and it’s yours. The fact that I’m asking means you have me on my knees. How did you do that?
