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And now?
I don’t want to fit in anymore. I don’t care if that old man’s proud of me or not. And Ford swears he’s going to take care of my mother no matter what, and she says he isn’t kidding.
“I don’t know,” I say quietly and push my chair back. Slowly, I take the ring off my finger. “I’m so, so sorry to do this to you again, Matthew.”
He laughs and puts his hand out. “I’m used to it by now.”
“You’re a decent guy. You’ll find someone.”
“My parents have a list a mile long. I’m not too concerned.”
I place the ring in his palm and he puts it in his pocket. “I hope you figure it out, Katherine.”
“I hope the next girl is very fond of you, Matthew.”
He laughs as I hurry away, heart racing, sweat beading down my back. I call for a car and head back to the house, feeling dizzy, feeling crazy. I send a few texts on the way, and I can’t believe I’m doing this, but it feels like something finally clicked inside of me.
Ford’s last words ring in my head.
I’m free.
I don’t have to do this anymore.
I don’t have to give in to whatever Grandfather wants.
I can make my own choices, go my own way. It might be hard—I’ll have to get a real job and struggle like everyone else—but I’d rather work and be free than be rich and stuck in a lovely little cage hated by everyone around me.
I head inside and go straight to Grandfather’s office.
Like always, he’s in there, reading a book in front of the fire. I stand in the doorway and clear my throat. The asshole doesn’t even look over.
“I gave the ring back,” I say loudly and he finally turns. The biography of Napoleon lowers down to his lap.
“You did… what now, Katherine?”
“I’m not going to marry Matthew. I’m not going to marry anyone. Sorry, Grandfather.”
He looks confused at first. Then he looks amused. “If this is a prank—”
“No, this isn’t a joke. I’m going to pack my bags and I’ll be out in the morning.”
“You’re serious?”
“I’m very serious.” I take one step into the room. “I’ve spent my whole life trying to live up to your standards, your impossible standards, and I’ve failed every single time. You’ve done nothing but rub my face in my shortcomings, you turned your back when everyone else in the family bullied me and mocked me and hurt me, and you have the audacity to command me around like I’m a dog. You even use my mother’s addiction against me. But I’m through with it all, Grandfather.”
“Katherine,” he says, his voice low and angry, and he slowly stands. The book slides down onto the floor with a loud thump.
“No, don’t bother. Save your breath. I don’t give a damn if you refuse to let me have my trust. I don’t want your money and I don’t need anything from you anymore. Mom will be fine and I’ll be okay. I’m only stopping in here to tell you that I’m through, that you’re an awful person, and that I deserve better.” I turn to leave but his voice keeps me pinned to the carpet.
“You always were an ungrateful little child,” he says harshly, his voice quivering with rage. “How dare you march in here and act as though I’m the enemy? Your mother ripped my heart out and spit on it a dozen times or more. I’ve done nothing but give you a place in our family, treat you as my own, try to offer you every opportunity—”
“God, just listen to yourself,” I say at him, my voice raising to the point of nearly shouting. “You’re so full of shit, you miserable old bastard.”
His face pales. His eyes go wide. His hands come up to his throat as if I’ve stuck him. “Howdareyou—”
“Goodbye, Grandfather.”
I finally tear myself away. His rage-fueled shouts echo after me, but I’ve tuned him out.
