Chapter 7
Td rather die alone than marry Adrian” Calistas laughter died abruptly, her face turning to stone. You’ve got it all wrong. When I said time. I
I’m taking your advice and getting out. You can all play happy families without nur
catata had been a boarding school kid since middle school, her relationship with Simon growing more distant b
by the year
showered
In blended famines, the leftovers from the previous marriage often get the short end of the stick. Whatever fatherly love sumon had was sh on Mira and Jason, leaving Calista with table scraps.
Sumoni
she’d hit her limit. She was done.
face twisted with rage as he jabbed a finger at the door “Get out then! You’re dead to me. Go on, get out of my house!”
“Gladly” Calista replied. She’d imagined this scene a thousand times, but now that it was happening she felt oddly at peace. It was almost lib Shed always been the square peg in this family’s round hole, it was high time she found somewhere she actually fit
Without another wont, Calista headed upstairs to park. Ella could barely contain her glee but managed to paste on a concerned frown. “Don’t be so harsh,” she cooed at Stmen “She’s just a kid. I’ll go check on her
Mira, her face still burning from the slaps, couldn’t keep the smirk off her face, “Don’t worry. Dad. You’ve still got me. I’ll always take care of you
she said
Simon’s anger towards Mira evaporated as he looked at his favorite daughter’s bruised face. His tone softened, a complete 180 from how he’d just spoken to Calista. “That’s right, sweetheart. You’re all the daughter I need”
Jason watched Calista climb the stairs, his face a mask of disgust. Good riddance to that freeloader, he thought.
Upstairs. Calista peeled off her wedding dress and started throwing things in a suitcase. She heard footsteps and turned to see Ella leaning against the doorframe with a triumphant smile.
“Don’t worry. I’m not taking anything valuable. Calista said coldly.
Els chuckled. “As if there’s anything worth taking in this dump. Take what you want. Consider it our parting gift.
Calista stared at her for a long moment before wordlessly slamming the door in Ella’s face.
Ella just shrugged, too pleased to care about Calista’s attitude. She painted on a worried expression and headed back downstairs.
Inside, Calista slid down against the door, the weight of her situation finally hitting her. She was alone. At just twenty, she felt like she’d lived a whole liferime
She could stay in this city anymore, she needed to get far away. But she was penniless. The thought of begging Simon for help turn. She’d rather die.
But she couldn’t ge
ip made her stomach
give up. She had to live, to prove all those who mocked her wrong. Yet other than dead, there seemed to be an impossible escape from this n nightmare
Suddenly, an idea struck her like lightning. She might have one last shot. With trembling fingers, she
she dialed her academic advisor. Elise Knight
After a few rings, a cheerful voice answered. “Calista Congrats on tying the knott Wish I could’ve been there, but this conterence abroad could rescheduled”
Calista i throat tightened, her voice barely above a whisper. Professor Knight, I need to ask you something
be
Trill me.” Elive and
Taking ar
a deep breath, Calista forced out the words “I was wondering if there’s any way I could get back into the Elise’s surprise was evident. I thought you were staying put after getting hitched. What changed? Is your husband on board with this?”
study ab
abroad program.”
The word “husband felt like a punch to the gut. The wedding was a realized what a golden teken that full ride abroad really is
s a joke. Calista forced a smile into her voice, trying to keep it steady. “No, I just
Elixe uld. Thu. Only three spots in the whole school, and you were the top dog
gold is practically a free pass in Wall Street after graduation”
Κ.ΑΠ.
1 offer from a top–tier foreign finance pro
program is worth its weight
Calista was at a loss for words. She couldn’t bring herself to almat ut she’d flushed her future down the strain for a forever, only to end up as the punchline of some cosmic joke,
a guy she thought was
Calista? Yossi still there! Lise added
omated “Profruna Knight, I’m hor
5:40 PM c c.
Chapter 7
Elise’s silence spoke volumes. “It’s not looking good. Your spot’s already been filled”
Calista bit her lip so hard she tasted blood. Gripping her phone tightly, she pleaded, “Please, there has to be something you can do. Anything”
