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That seemed to erupt Michael. "Of course you're fucking safe here, Lucy. I'm your father! What's the matter with you?"

I turned to Michael, my temper at being separated from my girl, causing my already sore jaw to throb even more. "I'm leaving. Please just...hear her out. Be gentle with her," I pleaded.

"Get. Out. Of. My. House."

With my heart in my throat, I squeezed Lucy's hand before I walked around Michael, careful to avoid more of his wrath. Luckily I left my car keys at the hook by the door, and my phone was with me. My overnight bag was in Lucy's room, but I doubted her Dad would let me retrieve it.

"Oh, and Roman?"

I paused and waited, my back still turned.

"Don't bother going to work tomorrow. Or any day. You're finished."

Lucy sobbed at her father's words, stabbing my heart at the pain I was causing her. It took Herculean effort for me to walk away.

Chapter 10

LUCY

I was sobbing uncontrollably as Roman left the room. I knew I was in deep shit. I knew my Dad was angry. Disappointed. Horrified. I know he thought that Roman had taken advantage of me. That I was some naive girl who fell for an older man's manipulations.

I wanted to get it together, to plead my case with him—our case. Plead for Roman's job. But all I felt was devastation at being separated from my love. And anger.

Once I heard the door close behind Roman, I turned fierce eyes at my Dad. Despite my embarrassment at being caught half-naked with a guy by my Dad, I was pissed off at him as only a teenager could be.

"Howcouldyou, Dad?" I accused.

The lack of Roman's presence calmed my Dad down a bit. He turned saddened eyes at me and sighed. "Sweetheart, what did you expect? What he's done is wrong."

"No! You don't understand. I love him!"

His face darkened in fury. "Stop it! You barely know him. He's your teacher, for Christ's sake!" He ran a hand through his hair as he turned around in uproar. Without warning, he slammed his fist into the wall.

I flinched and fell back, whimpering in trepidation.

He turned and noticed my retreat. His face turned remorseful, and he took a few steps to me. "I'm not mad at you, Sweetheart. I'm mad athim. Everything is fucked up. It's my fault you got taken advantage of. I should never have moved us here. I should've taken up your Uncle Rob's offer to help at the farm until I found permanent work."

"No! Dad, no. I know you're mad, but please," I begged as fresh tears poured down my face, "please don't blame yourself. If we hadn't moved here, I would never have met -"

"Don'tsay it," my Dad warned as his face shifted in rage. "You're not going to change my mind about this, Lucy. What he did was wrong. You don't love him; you don't know what love is."

"Yes, I do!" I yelled. "I love him, and you can't stop us from being together!"

My Dad sighed, almost as if he felt pity for me. "Lucy -"

"If you hurt him, I'll never forgive you! I'll run away, and you'll never see me again!"

My Dad's face pinched in distress at my words, but I was too heartbroken to feel guilty. With a shaking sob, I turned and ran to my room.

Two hours passed when I heard my Dad's hesitant knock. He didn't come after me when I took off, wisely knowing that I wouldn't have been receptive to his presence. And it was good that he didn't follow me, too, because I hadn't changed my sheets or aired my room. The evidence of our lovemaking was still lingering heavily in the air. I immediately changed my sheets and opened my window before curling in a ball on my bed.

I couldn't even call or message Roman because I had left my phone on the coffee table in my haste to escape my Dad. I doubt my Dad would've given it back to me.

The door slowly opened, even though I had never invited him in. The truth was, I was too distraught and tired to go to war with my Dad again. No doubt he probably already reported Roman to the superintendent.

I felt him sit on my bed, but I didn't move a muscle. I tensed when his comforting hand touched my back before he started to rub it gently. My face crumpled as a sob escaped. My eyes felt sore and tired, and I had a headache from crying so hard.

"Sweetheart," he started, "I'm sorry to do this, Honey, but you need to pack a bag."