85

Erina’s POV

The expression on her face indicated that she hadn’t expected this conversation to arise in front of them. The tension grew, and I could feel the discomfort surrounding the dining table.

“So, you’ve decided to talk about child support without Neo’s presence?” Alexander finally spoke, his tone flat but laden with pressure.

Maisie stared at me with a sharp gaze, as if trying to assess the situation. I wanted to explain, but the words felt difficult to articulate. In my mind, I kept thinking about how to control the direction of this discussion.

With all eyes on me, I knew this was my chance to show that I was ready to face the consequences of this decision, even without Neo's support.

“If it’s about that, you should discuss it with Neo. He’s the father of the child, not me,” Alexander replied bluntly. His tone remained flat, but there was tension woven between his words.

“But where is he now? Why isn’t he here?” My dad looked at the door, as if waiting for Neo to appear.

The uncertainty hung heavier in the air. Without Neo’s presence, all this conversation felt incomplete. I could sense the doubt among everyone in the room, and anxiety began to creep into my mind.

Maisie gazed at me with a mix of emotions—whether it was sadness or anger—while Alexander maintained his cold demeanor. In my mind, I tried to formulate a plan to navigate this situation.

All my hopes and plans hinged on Neo’s answer, and with every passing second, the urgency to find a solution intensified.

“Neo is no longer in this house,” Alexander replied.

“What?” I gasped. “You mean he’s not here… he was kicked out, Dad?” My expression turned horrified, as if I couldn’t believe what I had just heard.

Alexander shook his head. “He moved into his own house.”

Those words shook my thoughts. Fear and anxiety enveloped me. Without Neo, all the plans and hopes I had built felt shattered. I couldn’t imagine how he could leave without telling anyone, especially when the situation was so critical.

The atmosphere at the dining table grew tenser. My dad looked confused, while Maisie and Alexander exchanged glances. The silence that enveloped the room made me increasingly restless. In panic, I began to think about my next steps. Without Neo, I had to find a way to face the consequences of this decision on my own.

“His own house?” I was increasingly taken aback. “You mean you bought him a house, Dad?”

“Yes,” Alexander replied calmly.

“Then where is his house?” I asked impatiently, my curiosity peaking.

In my mind, various possibilities began to emerge. If Neo had his own house, it meant he could be managing everything without involving us. Anxiety enveloped me, and I felt I was losing control of this situation.

My dad remained silent, as if waiting for the next question. Alexander seemed uninterested, while Maisie continued to watch attentively. Neo’s existence became increasingly mysterious, and I felt trapped in an ever-deepening uncertainty.

“Ask Neo yourself,” Alexander replied flatly, then continued eating.

I cursed inwardly. This was the problem: Neo had blocked all my numbers and even my social media. Frustration and despair began to cloud my mind. How could I face all of this without being able to communicate with him?

The uncertainty deepened, and I felt trapped in a labyrinth without an exit. All the plans I had prepared felt futile without Neo’s presence. In my mind, I tried to find a way to reach him, but despair gnawed at my spirit.

The dining table, once full of hope, now felt so quiet and tense. I knew that without clear communication with Neo, this entire conversation would simply go around in circles.

“So there’s nothing we can discuss tonight because the person concerned isn’t here,” Alexander concluded, then resumed eating.

His words added weight to the already tense atmosphere. I felt as if all hope for clarity had vanished in an instant. Frustration and helplessness consumed my mind.

In my heart, I was determined to find a way to contact Neo. Even though he had blocked me, I couldn't let all this end without trying. The courage to face this issue had to emerge, even if it meant confronting painful realities.

Meanwhile, my parents had been shooting me sharp glances. They looked very embarrassed, coming here without knowing that the person who should be responsible was no longer present. A sense of awkwardness enveloped the room, and I could feel the heavy burden of responsibility that Neo shouldered now falling on me.

My parents seemed disappointed, as if they felt betrayed by this situation. What was supposed to be a moment for discussion had turned into a moment full of uncertainty. Without Neo's presence, all hope of finding a solution felt increasingly distant.

In my mind, I began planning my next steps. Although this burden felt heavy, I knew I had to take the initiative to seek answers and not let this situation control me.

“How could you not know that Neo moved out, huh?!” my father snapped as we finally settled into the car to head home.

“Neo never told me, Dad,” I replied, my voice a little squeaky from the front seat next to the driver.

The tension inside the car rose. My father looked very angry, while my mother remained silent, watching this argument with a worried expression. I felt caught between guilt and the desire to defend myself.

Throughout the journey, the atmosphere felt oppressive. Every second stretched on, and I struggled to find the right words to explain this situation. However, all my efforts seemed futile. The uncertainty about Neo's whereabouts and what would happen next haunted my thoughts.

“And now you can't contact him?” My father was still furious, deeply embarrassed and upset with my behavior, which he deemed wrong.

I shook my head, glancing at him through the rearview mirror.

My father huffed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “When have you ever done anything right?!”

I lowered my gaze, my face feeling hot as if all my mistakes were flowing into me. “I tried, Dad. But Neo isn't responding to my messages. Maybe he’s busy or…” I struggled to find an excuse to explain the situation, but the words caught in my throat.

“There’s always an excuse!” My father sighed, his disappointed voice echoing in the small car. “This is all because you’re too caught up in your own world. Do you realize how important friendship is? Be a good friend!” His voice rose, and I could feel the intensity of emotion between us.

Finally, my mother spoke up, “Alright, dear. Maybe we can try contacting his other friends or find out at school?” Her voice was gentle, trying to ease the tension. However, I knew she felt the same worry about Neo.

I nodded, as if agreeing with my mother’s suggestion. “I can ask his classmates. Maybe they know where he is now.”

My father fell silent, but I knew he was still angry. As we drove down a quiet road, my mind focused on one thing: I didn’t want to lose Neo. He was my best friend, the only one who had always been there for me during tough times.

“Dad, please believe me, I didn’t mean to ignore him. I really didn’t know he was going to move,” I said quietly, hoping to soften his heart.

“Believe? This isn’t about belief or not. It’s about responsibility,” my father replied sharply. “You have to take responsibility for your relationships. Don’t wait until it’s too late to regret it.”

His words left me speechless. I knew my father wasn’t wrong. Maybe I really needed to be more aware.