Of course Dad had invited him. Of course my parents had planned to parade Madison in front of him while I served food in the background like hired staff.
“I didn’t know,” I said.
“I believe you,” Victor replied. “Would you like me to leave?”
I looked at the house through my rearview mirror.
“No,” I said. “Go inside.”
That was all.
I did not tell him to humiliate them. I did not ask him to defend me. I did not need revenge dressed up as a scene.
I only allowed the truth to arrive wearing a navy suit.
When I got back to my apartment, I had fifteen missed calls.
Mom. Dad. Madison. Mom again.
Then a text from Madison:
PLEASE ANSWER. MOM IS FREAKING OUT. DAD IS LOSING IT. VICTOR HALE KNOWS YOU???
I made tea.
At 6:42 p.m., Dad called from Madison’s phone.
I answered.
His voice was low and tight. “Emily. Where are you?”
“Home.”
“You need to come back immediately.”
“No.”
“Do you understand what you’ve done?”
I leaned against my kitchen counter. “I left a party.”
“You humiliated your mother.”
“No, Dad. She introduced me as unemployed help to my own boss. That was her choice.”
Silence.
Then he said, “Victor is asking questions.”
“Then answer them honestly.”
He exhaled hard. “This is not the time to be childish.”
“For once, I agree.”
I ended the call.
For the first time all weekend, my apartment was quiet.
But I knew my family.
Quiet never lasted long.
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