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I frown, swinging my legs off the bed. “Yes. What do you mean?”
“I was at your apartment that day,” she says. “The day she left.”
A soft gasp leaves my lips. “What? You spoke to Jasmine?”
My mother nodded and explained everything that happened. When she finishes, the room is plunged into a tense silence that’s broken only by my labored breaths.
Oh, Jasmine.
I can’t believe how she must have felt sitting across from my mother, being torn down until only a skeleton was left. Tears sting my eyes. I’ve been mad at her for days, but it is I who let her down. I should have been there for her. I should have gone after her!
My blood runs cold.
“Lillian, how could you?” My father springs to his feet. “How could you do that?” His tone is harsher than I’ve ever heard, but it’s several years too late. “You had no right to meddle! I am disappointed in you!”
“I’m sorry, I just wanted her gone!”
“Have you forgotten that you were her not so long ago?” Father growls. “I defended you in front of my parents and kept you beside me regardless of everything, yet you turn around and do the same thing to Jasmine! I am so disgusted by your actions!”
“David, I’m sorry, I—”
“No, you’re not! Why did you—?”
“Enough!” I bark, and the room goes silent as everyone turns to me in shock.
I get out of bed, shaking my head at my father. “What’re all these theatrics for, hmm?” I laugh. “Why are you surprised by her actions? It’s not the first time she’s tried to ruin my life.”
“Alec!” They chorus, but I keep my gaze on my father because I cannot bear to look at my mother.
“For years, she has done things like this. She meddles in my life, forces my hand, threatens me, blackmails me, disregards my privacy, yet you always look away.”
“Alec…”
I raise my finger to stop him. “You’ve never had my back, Father, so don’t start now. I’m good. I can handle myself. I don’t need you anymore.” I head to the door, and someone grabs my arm.
“Alec, please…” It's my mom.
I jerk away from her, turning to pin her with my unforgiving gaze. She slinks back from the anger in my eyes. “Alec!”
“I may not hate you because you’re my mom, but right now, there’s no one I dislike more than you.”
She gasps, but I’m too upset to stop. “My happiness has never been your priority. As long as you have your way, others can go to hell, huh?”
“No, it’s not.,.”
“Over the years, I’ve overlooked so many things you did.” I purse my lips. “But this…this is too much. I will never forgive you for it.”
“Alec, please…” Tears pool in her eyes, and it’s the first time I’ve seen her this way.
“I wish I had a mother who cared for me.” My voice shakes terribly. “But you’ve always been my number one enemy. I don’t understand it. Without you, my life would be so much easier, and it’s heartbreaking to realize that because you’re my mother, for goodness' sake! Why can’t you act like it for once?”
“I’m sorry, Alec,” she says. “Forgive me.”
She has never said those words to me before, but right now, they carry no weight. I only want to make things right with Jasmine.
“No.” I shake my head. “I’m done with you.”
“You cannot mean that,” my father says, and I glance at him. “You, too. I’m done. I don’t want any of this. I only want a family who loves me. To hell with this!”
