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My jaw hit the ground, and I couldn’t do anything but blink at my mother in shock. Was she seriously threatening to kick me out? Just because I slept with someone that she didn’t really approve of? I couldn't even begin to comprehend what she was thinking.

"You have got to be kidding me," I spouted as soon as I learned how to speak again.

"I assure you I am not," my mother said.

"Okay," I replied, dragging the word out. "Then you must be crazy."

Ingram shook her head so hard that her dyed blonde hair whirled back and forth.

"No, I'm not crazy either. You have no idea what is at stake here. Our business, our reputation, our life! The one your father and I built for us ALL."

I slumped back in my chair in disbelief. "Is that all you care about? Your reputation and cushy life? What about me? Your daughter! You care nothing for me and my happiness?"

To my shock, my mother looked genuinely hurt by my accusation.

"Of course I do! Your happiness means everything to me. You are my child!" She insisted.

I raised an eyebrow at her.“Obviously not. Considering that you have not only twisted everything in my life to make it about YOU. About how I could make YOUR life better. You were even willing to pass me off to anyone who could improve YOUR status. You don't even care that man was accused of rape! Do you even care that he assaulted me?"

Ingram stuttered for a few moments as if she wasn't sure how to answer it. Her stilted silence was all I really needed.

I nodded. "That's what I thought. Don't worry, I'll leave. I just hope your reputation can handle the blow of ALL your friends finding out you kicked your daughter out after she refused to date a suspected rapist."

My mother stiffened. She knew I wasn't bluffing, and I couldn't help the bitter twist of my lips that looked slightly like a smile.

"But don't worry, MOTHER," I sneered towards her. "I will be gone. As soon as Noah comes back from his trip, I will find a place for me to go to. He should be back in a day or two."

I was hoping that I was right. I didn't know exactly when Noah would be back, much less if he would let me stay with him. But I would promise anything to see the look of panic on my mother's face.

Feeling victorious, I got up and walked away from the table. If I was hoping my mother would call me back and tell me she was wrong and how sorry she was for all the horrible things that she had done to me. I was more delusional than she was. I made it up to my room before the tears began to pour out.

I threw myself onto the bed and began screaming, crying, and punching my pillow. I couldn't believe my mother was kicking me out because I had spent the night with Noah. Actually, she wasn't kicking me out. She gave me an ultimatum. I could leave and continue to see Noah. Or I could leave Noah and stay at home where my future would be decided for me with or without my input.

That would never happen. Even without Noah, I was no longer content not to have a say in my own future. With that thought, this ending suddenly seemed inevitable. Sniffling, I sat up and went to my computer to let Noah know what had happened. I wanted out of this place as soon as possible. I was absolutely ready to take responsibility for my own life now.

I hit send on the email that explained what happened, then I sat there and waited for a response. The longer I waited, the more disappointed I got. I tried to let the sadness go as I reminded myself that Noah had left for business, not to go on a vacation.

Downstairs, I heard the unmistakable sound of my parents getting ready to sit down for dinner. I could make out their voices, but they were too quiet to hear what they were saying.

It wasn’t a stretch of my imagination that they would be talking about me. I knew I should be down there defending myself. But I just didn’t have the energy for any more confrontations, and the silence that I was getting from my computer just made me a little depressed.

I crawled back into bed and pulled the covers over my head to block everything out, then closed my eyes.

Maybe I can get some good news tomorrow.

I got up the next morning and checked my emails first thing. There was nothing from Noah. Not even an indication that he had even read it. I sighed heavily and reminded myself to be patient once more.

I trudged downstairs and cautiously looked around to see if there was a sign that my mother was still home. Thankfully, it sounded as if the house was completely empty. I didn’t question it, nor did I really care. I was just glad to be alone for a moment so I could wallow in my self-pity.

Making myself some food, I sat at the table and stared at my phone. I had another task that Noah had asked me to do, and I was a little hesitant about doing it. I was not the kind of girl that took selfies. Most of the pictures of myself that I had on my phone actually had Molly in them, as well.

Despite my reservations, there was no reason to keep putting it off. I raced upstairs and made myself up as best I could, then took the picture and sent it to Noah before I could second guess it. Then I waited… waited for him to answer back.

There was still nothing. Not even praise for getting my tasks done.

Frustrated, I didn’t know what else to do, and my gut was twisting with worry. I grabbed my phone to call Molly. I had no idea what else to do, and if anyone could help her figure it out, it was Molly.

But before I could press send on the phone call, there was a loud knock on the door downstairs. Even though it was unrealistic, I raced down the stairs, hoping that it was Noah coming to get me and take me away from this place.

I swung the door open and excitedly began to greet the visitor until I saw it was Molly. Molly had a look on her face that made the twist in my gut shudder even harder.

“What happened?” I demanded.

“It’s Noah, Becca,” Molly replied quickly. “He’s been arrested.”