Chapter 7
We got to my parents’ place around 8 p.m.
They were already waiting downstairs, eyes full of hope.
The second I got out of the car, my mom came over and hugged me. She didn’t say a word. Just cried.
“Sweetie… you’ve been through so much.”
“Why are you crying over something happy? Let’s go upstairs. Dinner’s ready!”
My dad looked at me with so much love. His eyes were red too.
Maverick was invited upstairs as an honored guest, naturally.
My mom hung back a few steps and grabbed my hand, whispering.
“What do you think of Maverick? Ever since he came back last pigmen
“He said you two were childhood sweethearts!”
“Isn’t that way better than that ungrateful Lincoln?”
“That jerk got a little money and lost his damn mind!”
“When it comes to loyalty, he’s got nothing on Maverick!”
h
year, been coming by to ask about you!”
“Your dad and I both love him!”
“Plus, we looked into Maverick’s whole family. Three generations back. All good people. No cheaters. No scumbags.”
I didn’t even know what to say.
Childhood sweethearts? Seriously?
“Reliable? Mom, he wants to marry me before we even go on a date.”
I meant it as a complaint.
But my mom’s eyes lit up,
“A proposal? That’s great!”
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‘You’ll Regret Leaving Me!’-Poor Thing. You Still Think You Matter? I Already Married Better!
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Chapter 7
“How about we don’t let Maverick leave tonight? You two can share a room. I’ve been dying for grandkids!”
This was getting ridiculous.
“Mom! Stop!”
When we got inside, my dad was already drinking with Maverick.
Maverick tried to refuse, saying he had to drive.
But my dad’s eyes narrowed.
“Then you’re staying the night!”
My mom grinned like she was plotting something.
Fine-I gave up.
My dad doesn’t usually drink much, but tonight he clearly overdid it.
Three drinks in, the tears started.
He grabbed Maverick’s hand and started rambling, voice breaking.
“My little girl… I gave her everything… and he just… he just threw her away… like she was nothing…”
His voice cracked.
“She deserved so much better… so much better…”
Listening to my dad’s drunken words, tears dripped into my juice one by one.
I didn’t cry when I was stuck in that mall bathroom with no pads.
I didn’t cry when I found out Lincoln cheated.
I didn’t cry when I decided to end it.
I didn’t cry when I left him and came home.
But watching my dad’s hair turn white, seeing the lines deepening on my mom’s face-
I couldn’t help.
They’d gotten old.
Chapter 7
For seven years, I chased a love that was never gonna work out.
And my parents? They ran that whole marathon with me. Every step. Every fall.
I’m bruised and broken-but so are they.
His betrayal didn’t just hurt me-it destroyed my whole family.
I felt like the worst daughter in the world.
“Mom, Dad… I’m so sorry…”
I sobbed as I apologized.
Then a hand reached over-Maverick, holding out a tissue.
“Your parents don’t need an apology. They just want you to be happy.”
I couldn’t answer. The tears wouldn’t let me.
By then, Dad was so drunk he couldn’t even hold his glass. Mo
had to help him into the bedroom.
Usually when Dad drank too much, Mom would complain and lecture him for days.
Not this time.
She wiped his face and took off his shoes-gentle as could be.
I smiled softly then turned back to table:
“You didn’t drunk, right??”
“I’m fine.”
“Then how are you getting home?”
Of course I wasn’t about to invite Maverick to spend the night.
“I already called a rideshare driver,”
When I walked Maverick downstairs to wait for his ride, he got serious.
“I meant what I said. But I also know that jumping straight into marriage is way too sudden for you.”
“So… how about we just date? See how it goes?”
Chapter 7
“Okay.”
I nodded softly.
The driver arrived. Maverick left. I stood there staring at the taillights for a while before heading back upstairs.
In the elevator, I pulled out my phone.
Our family group chat had exploded.
Because my mom posted a video clip from dinner.
Aunt Linda: [Wait, new son-in-law already?!]
Uncle John: [Why didn’t anyone tell me about this?!]
Cousin Ryan: [I thought Nina’s boyfriend was Lincoln Sterling? Did he get plastic surgery?”
Ryan’s Wife: [SHUT UP!]
Uncle Shaw: [I like this kid!]
My Mom: [Wedding’s coming soon! Everyone better show up and celebrate!]
I put my phone away with a bitter smile.
But just as I opened the door to go inside, I remembered something important.
Lincoln was still in our family group chat!!
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