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Without deterring his gaze from me, Mr. Thorne spoke again.
“Evie has the job. We leave for New York first thing in the morning.”
two
Evie
It was the next morning, and I felt a weird surge of energy. Which was weird, considering how I barely got any sleep.
The whole encounter with Ethan Thorne in my dad’s living room the previous day kept playing in my head.
I was never one to shy away from altercations, but I had no idea how I had managed to gather so much confidence to face him as I did. I was glad I did though.
This was a way to finally kickstart achieving my dream of teaching at Everest Academy.
But more importantly, I had to figure out a way to help Sophie.
Dad had told me about Sophie’s condition after Mr. Thorne left. Apparently, she suffered from selective mutism, and she sometimes exhibited repetitive patterns.
I knew selective mutism was an anxiety disorder where a person couldn’t speak in certain situations because of overwhelming fear or anxiety. But in Sophie’s case, it was a trauma response… a coping mechanism for whatever trauma she might have experienced.
Dad did say she’d witnessed something… an accident maybe, but he didn’t say what. When I asked, he’d told me to ask Mr. Thorne.
I’d also asked why he didn’t inform me about Sophie earlier. He said he planned on telling me when the time was right. Well before that time came, his friend visited.
Typical Dad. Sometimes he liked to keep things to himself. He almost did when Mom died— he didn’t want to hurt me with the news yet. But his face gave it away.
When I heard this, it was difficult for me to process. Dad had it a lot worse though. Still, he did his best to be there for me. He was always there.
Sophie didn’t deserve to go through that, and I wasn’t about to fumble the chance to help her.
I had spent all night packing and getting ready for my return to New York. It had been three years since we left, and I was lowkey excited to be going back.
The fact that this experience could bring me closer to achieving my dream was another positive to look forward to. The fact that it was also my mother’s dream made me even happier.
This would help me tick some requirements off the list and bring me a step closer to Everest Academy. Overall, a lot was riding on this.
A wave of guilt washed over me as I stood in front of Dad. He still had no idea that I made out with his best friend. He probably wouldn’t have suggested I leave with him if he knew.
Watching him be so optimistic about this opportunity almost made me want to tell him and apologize. But that was a risk I wasn’t willing to take.
It was just a one-time mistake. Nothing more. It would never happen again.
“I’ll miss you, Dad.” My voice was heavy as my five-foot-five frame melted in his embrace. I really would miss him. Bald head, average height and with a great sense of humor, my dad was my best friend.
“I’ll miss you too, Princess. But you need this. And I know you’ll do great.” He smoothened the top of my hair.
I couldn’t help the tears that rolled down my cheeks. “Thanks, Dad.” His support had brought me this far. “Take care of yourself.”
As if on cue Mr. Thorne’s ride arrived as planned. I knew because of the horn.
My heart felt heavy. I waved at Dad as I stepped out of the house.
When I saw the car, my eyes widened. Momentarily, all other thoughts disappeared.
I’d almost forgotten how loaded this man was.
The driver pulled up to the front of my dad’s humble abode in a thirty-foot-long limo. The car was white. It screamed luxury.
