Page 124 of Fame & Rhythm

She nods. “I’ve arranged for a mental health nurse to come and have a chat with you, Annie—”

“I don’t need—”

“You might not think you do,” Indi cuts me off gently. “But they can help you manage what you’re feeling. It’s just a conversation. And you can do it alone, if you’d prefer.”

“She’s not being alone. I’ll be here,” Dad cuts in immediately.

Indi smiles politely. “I understand, Mr. Slade. But if Annie wants to speak privately, she should be able to. Sometimes it’s easier to be honest that way.” She tilts her head slightly. “Wouldn’t you rather she receives the help she needs than holds back because you’re in the room?”

There’s a beat of silence.

Not many people push back on Dad.

I press my lips together, trying not to smile. Around the room, I can see the others doing the same.

Dad grunts.

Indi’s smile widens slightly. “Good. I’m glad that’s settled. The nurse should be here shortly.” She turns back to me. “Is there anything you need in the meantime? Something to eat?”

I shake my head. “No thanks… Pixie.”

She smirks.

“Don’t call her that,” Caleb mutters.

Indi smacks his arm lightly. “I like it. You can call me Pixie whenever you want, Annie.” She sticks her tongue out at Caleb.

He leans in slightly, muttering something under his breath, but I catch it anyway. “Careful, or I’ll bite that tongue.”

I giggle, the sound surprising even me.

And I sink back into the bed, finally letting myself relax.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Annie

The mental health nurse comes in, and I let Mum stay with me, but I don’t want Dad here. He’s angry at first, but Mum calms him down, and eventually he leaves.

We talk about my birth parents. About the way I see myself, and he says it’s normal to feel this way, but that my thoughts don’t match reality. That people can love me regardless of how my life started.

For a second… I almost believe him.

But it always comes back to the same thing.

They didn’t want me.

So how could anyone else?

He gives Mum a psychologist’s name and number and suggests I make an appointment. Says my anger, my reactions… they all tie back to this. That with the right support, I could learn to manage it.

His words, not mine.

Because from where I’m sitting, everything is clearer than it’s ever been.

I knew from the beginning that Aston couldn’t love me—not really. No matter how much I wanted him to. And now I’ve been proven right.

The nurse leaves, and I sink back into the bed, oddly lighter after saying everything out loud. Having Mum there helped more than I expected.