Sally looked <b>shocked</b><b>, </b>and a bit annoyed. “Inws, I called you here to discuss the kid marriage. You should help us out. Victoria is your <b>da </b>
she’ll be to you.”
My dad’s face grow serious. “That depends on who’s at fault. If Victoria did something wrong, we’d set her straight. But she hasn’t done anything ONE
My mom nodded. “That’s right. We may not be as rich as the Hob family, but even if they do got divorced, we can still make sure ctoria <b>has </b>food on
Jared’s face went ghostly pale. He blurted out, “Mom, <b>Dad</b>, know I messed up. Please, <b>just </b>give me a chance to fix things. Let Victoria and get back
together,”
I nced at Jared, who looked frantic, but he wasn’t looking at me. His eyes were locked on my parents. Instead, my gaze met Yvonne’s. She had her arms wrapped tightly around Jared’s neck, her face buried against his chest.
When she heard about the divorce, she was clearly startled, but it didn’t <b>take </b>long before she shot me a furious re.
My dad could tell I’d put up with <b>a </b>lot. They stood up and said, “Jared, this <b>is </b>between you and Victoria, We’ve never meddled in her choices. We raised her to be well–educated and considerate.
“If there’s something she can get past, she’d have figured it out herself. She doesn’t need us to talk her into anything”
My mom nodded. “Exactly. Victoria’s always been a top student, quick on her feet. She’s gentle and never unreasonable. We know she’ll make the best decision for herself.”
“Hey, inws, why are you pushing for them <b>to </b>break up instead of making peace? This is about both our families!” Sally jumped up and hurried after my parents, trying to block their way.
I stood up as well and said to Sally, “Mom, I’ll be going, too.”
“Victoria, this is <b>your </b>home. Where do you think you’re going?” Sally blocked my path, her tone full of authority
I quickly stepped around her and made for the door.
Just then<b>, </b><b>a </b>small figure darted over. I turned. It was Yvonne
I thought she might try to hold me back, but at the doorway<b>, </b>she suddenly shoved me, and my foot <bnded </b>outside the door.
“Go away, if you don’t want Dad, don’t want me, or even this family, then just go. Don’t evere back. I never want to see you again!” wonne yelled at me, her voice echoing through the hall.
<b>Jared </b>rushed over and pulled Yvonne into his arms, trying to calm her down. He nced at me and said, “Go be with your parents for now. talk to
Yvonne.”
In that moment when she shoved me out, my heart grew even colder, Without looking back, I strode toward my car.
Behind me, I could hear Yvonne crying her heart out. No matter what anyone said,
just wouldn’t stop.
Seeing all this, my parents were clearly upset too. My mom started to move toward Yvonne tofort her, but my dad gently stopped her, shaking <b>his </b>head. Tears welled up in <b>her </b>eyes as she leaned into his shoulder.
I walked over, my eyes rimmed with tears, and said, “Dad, Mom, let’s go to my apartment.”
They nodded, got into my car<b>, </b>and we drove away from the vi together,
We drove in silence, me just keeping my eyes on the road. Before anything else, I took them <b>to </b><b>a </b>restaurant for dinner.
In the private room, my mom was still crying. Maybe it was after Yvonne shoved me and broke down herself. She just couldn’t stop
“Dad, Mom, have some coffee,” I said, guilt gnawing at me. I hadn’t been able to handle this mess, and now I’d dragged them into it too
AD