Mr Dawson looked down. He stayed at the door and put his hand on the brass knob. Luke stood in front of him and didn't move. "You're not a little boy anymore, are you?" Mr Dawson commented, looking up at Luke. It wasn't an innocent question. He said it because he couldn't walk out now that his son was physically able to stop him. Luke was bigger than his father and, just by blocking the door, there was a subtle threat in Luke's body language. I was envious of him. He had a physical strength that I, as a girl, didn't have. Why do I feel envy in this moment? My emotions were all muddled and confused. Envy of Luke. Envy of his sister. After all, she was the one who got her father talking in the first place – and not by brute force. Envy of a life that wasn't mine. "I made the call because of you," Mr Dawson said, and jabbed his finger into his son's chest, "I haven't thought much about the Ripleys in years until you went ahead and started dating their daughter." My emotions were so messed up, I couldn't make out his. Was that anger or spite or envy? I don't know. "You've changed because of her," Mr Dawson told his son, "you yell at me and judge me for my behavior. Before you went off to Dubai, you dug up the past and threw it in my face-" "Because I found out you called social services?" Luke replied angrily, "Own up to it, dad. Your mistakes." "You don't know my life. You were born when I was already-" Luke pulled his father's hand down from waving it aggressively in the air, "What does this have to do with it? Why did you call Millie's dad?" "I wanted to speak to him, that's all," Mr Dawson finally revealed it, "I just wanted to pick the phone and call an old acquaintance." Luke had finally gotten it out of him. I stared up at that, "So my dad knows how I'm doing?" I could hear the hope in my voice. Maybe my dad was in a better headspace right now and maybe he cared about how I was doing. Mr Dawson let out a sound that sounded like a sad chuckle, "He cursed like a horse when he found out who you were dating." So that's it? It's hard to believe Mr Dawson had innocently picked up the phone and called after all this time. Luke stepped away from the door to let him go. And I think Mr Dawson was torn by that action. Luke was angry and disappointed. "Luke," his father tried to apologize, "I didn't think the call would lead to anything. I just wanted to speak to the guy. Someone who wouldn't judge. Someone who'd understand. Heck, you're my son and she's his daughter." "That's the problem," I said. Luke looked at me. And slowly, begrudgingly, Mr Dawson acknowledged me too. "That's the problem with you and my dad. It's all about you. Your story. Don't you see how you've affected so many other lives? You shouldn't think of this as your story. You're not the one suffering here," I said and lowered my voice for the weight of my anger, "You make others suffer." We were a room full of suffering. A hand rested on my back and I flinched at the contact. It was Jake and he was trying to comfort me. Jake was the only one in the room who knew exactly how I was feeling – because he feels it too. He and I have been in the same situation and we were not to be alone. Mr Dawson was about to speak but, this time, Luke interrupted him, "No, dad. This is when you leave." Mr Dawson reacted, "I told you we shouldn't open this can of worms," he clenched the doorknob and twisted it open suddenly, "But I didn't do anything else. I didn't tell the guy to come back. We just talked and our conversation sparked something in him to call your mom." Mr Dawson walked out and left the door wide open behind him. I felt the deepest sigh escape my lips after he left. A weight was lifted off my chest, that I couldn't explain. It's like I'd been holding my breath this entire time and finally could breathe out. Another tear rolled down my cheek and dropped onto my hand. I was relieved to be getting answers. And I didn't want them to stop. I wanted to speak to my mother, to find out why my dad called her, what he said to make her leave. And maybe even speak to my dad – to meet him again. Would he be proud of what I've become? How would he react to Luke? And the blackmailer. I needed to find the blackmailer. I wanted to start taking control of my friendship, my relationships and everything in between. I didn't want to be used or silenced. I wanted to be free. Luke came directly towards me and didn't make any snide remarks to Jake. Jake also didn't say anything to Luke. For once. This was about both our families. Was this the first time Mr Dawson had shown guilt for leaving Jake's mother? "How do you feel, Minnie?" Luke whispered, picking up my hand. He dusted the tear off with a brush of his thumb before he raised my hand to his smooth lips and kissed it. I squeezed his hand and said, "I think your father said it best. Our dads have nothing in common except their biggest mistake." We lived in the shadow of the past. And now we had to live in the aftermath. "At least you two are not related," Charlotte sighed, sitting back, "With all the affairs and secret children in this house, there was a chance."