Chapter 13
After paying their respects to Mateo, everyone left the cemetery
Sean finally snapped, turning to Alyssa. “Alyssa, why are you treating Hailey like this? She’s just trying to look out for you, and you’re making her feel awful on purpose, aren’t you?”
Alyssa blinked, feigning innocence. “How? What did Hailey do to embarrass herself?”
“Look, Hailey’s got your back. She’s just freaked out that your dad’s friends might not be cool with you showing up. She’s really looking out for you, and honestly, you’re not exactly being the best friend to her, Sean pointed out, his tone edging
into frosty
“I was only telling the truth. Alyssa replied. Then she turned to Hailey and asked, “Is it true you don’t want me here to honor my father, Hailey?”
Hailey was caught off guard by the question and felt like she was being wrongly accused. She cleared her throat and said, “I just don’t want you to face any trouble with them.”
Alyssa continued to act innocent and said, “I just said my dad’s friends are fine and haven’t blamed me yet. What did I do
wrong
Hailey, frustrated, said. “You did nothing wrong
As Sean remained silent, Alyssa began to walk away, but Sean called after her, “Hey, where do you think you’re going?”
Alyssa retorted, “What do you care? Didn’t you say you’re too scared to marry me?”
Sean, visibly angry, struggled to find words. Just as Alyssa was about to leave, he reluctantly said, “Come home with me.”
They were throwing Megan a birthday party tonight and needed Alyssa to cook.
Hailey stepped forward, grabbing Alyssa’s arm. “Alyssa, just go back with Mr. Rivera, okay? It’s late. If you don’t go with him, where else are you gonna stay? It’s kinda sketchy for a girl to be out at night. My dad always says that girls from decent families don’t stay out late”
Hailey was trying to make a point to Sean and show off her good–girl image, but Alyssa heard it differently.
Honestly, where could I go at this hour? With my dad gone, I don’t even have a place to call home, Alyssa thought, feeling the weight of her grief.
The house where she and Sean lived was a birthday gift from her dad back in the day. At that time, Sean was just starting out, with nothing to his name.
He had once hugged her and said, “Living here with you, in your house, always keeps me on edge. People are talking–saying I’m just mooching off you. Maybe I should just leave. Our finances don’t exactly line up, and I’m starting to think this might not work out.”
That scared Alyssa to her core, enough that she ended up putting the house in his name.
Thinking back, Alyssa could kick herself. ‘How could I have been so gullible, so ridiculously naive? I’m getting that house back sooner or later this time, Alyssa pondered.
She shut her eyes, inhaled deeply, and managed a small smile. “Okay, let’s head back.”
When she agreed, Sean couldn’t help but snort, surprised by her lack of resistance. He turned on his heel and jumped into the driver’s seat.
宙
hapter 13
G
43%
Hailey strutted over, thung open the passenger door, and said, “Alyssa, you know I get carsick, so I’ll take the front seat, okay?”
Alyssa just shrugged, not caring at all. She pulled open the backseat door and slid in. “Yeah, whatever. Go ahead”
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