47

I stare back at Nate because I’m thankful. He didn’t need to say those words, but he did, and now, I can finally breathe. “Nathaniel!” Debra clutches her pearls. “This is serious. I will not allow you to endanger how far your father and I have come.” “I’m also serious, Mom. If you see it as a problem, prevent it beforehand or afterward with your media play. Otherwise, I don’t give a fuck. Gwyneth is old enough to make her own decisions and neither you nor anyone else has a say in it.” Debra twists her lips. Me, however? I want to hug him, but I can’t, because he’s an asshole and I can’t have feelings for him. Because even though he’s standing up for me, he’s doing it in a way a guardian would. In a way where I’m just under his care. Where I depend on him. “I don’t approve of this, and neither does Brian,” Debra announces. “You need to divorce her.” “With all due respect, I couldn’t give a fuck about what either of you think.” “Nathaniel! How dare you speak to me in that tone?” I sense