“She’s destroying everything we built!” my father snapped.
“She’s our daughter!” my mother cried, pulling me into her arms. “She’s not even healed yet. Please, just let me talk to her.”
He glared at both of us, his chest rising with restrained fury. “Fix this,” he said finally. “Make her apologize. I won’t allow our name to be tainted by a family scandal. And don’t you dare mention divorce again.”
When he left, the room fell silent except for the steady rhythm of the heart monitor. I couldn’t hold it anymore—I broke down.
“Mom…” I whispered through tears.
She wrapped her arms tighter around me, trembling herself. “I’m sorry,” she said softly. “I’m sorry for being weak. For never leaving your father when I should have. For letting you grow up thinking this kind of pain was normal.”
I cried harder, gripping her hand. “Please, help me. I don’t want to live like this anymore. Nathan—he’s been lying to me. Amber… she’s not innocent. Lorenzo—he’s Nathan’s son. She lied to everyone.”
My mother stiffened. She looked at me, eyes wide, shocked, then whispered, “If that’s true… then ask for help from your brother. Reid will know what to do.”