Page 105 of Liam

I sighed. I knew what she wanted to hear.

Me: He's beautiful and smart and funny.

Freya: How beautiful? Send me a picture.

I called up my photos and picked one of us together, smiling—happy. And sent it.

Freya: Is he in a wheelchair?

Me: Yes, he is.

Freya: Oh, Liam. You could have done so much better.

I took a long breath in and exhaled slowly to calm myself. I wasn't surprised by Freya's reaction. She'd have wanted to show us off as a pair. Now, she felt she couldn't do that.

My body tensed.

Me: Jamal is the most incredible person I have ever met. I love him deeply, and I have been blessed to have him love me back. He's my person and I'm going to spend the rest of my life with him. The wheelchair brought out a courage and perserverance in him that I admire.

Freya: I'm coming into town next week. I'm bringing a friend. I want them to meet you. They don't believe you're more gorgeous in person. We can meet at The Empress for high tea.

No.

That's it. I wasn't doing this anymore. I wasn't a prize pig to be flaunted. She hadn't even acknowledged that I had told her I was in love. That's not what she wanted from me. She didn't want a true relationship with her son. She wanted a prize piece to brag about.

Me: Can I bring my boyfriend?

Freya: I don't think that's necessary.

That sealed it.

Me: No. I won't be meeting you. And I'd appreciate if you didn't contact me. You have shown absolutely no interest in my life. You've been toxic to me. And I'm done with that.

Freya: Don't be silly. Meet with me. Meet my friend. He's gay like you. Gorgeous. A lawyer. I thought you two might hit it off.

My face heated. She didn't care. She didn't care about me at all.

Me: Goodbye, Freya. I have a family and a life now. Please stay out of it.

Before she could answer, I called up her contact in my phone and blocked her. Maybe one day I'd unblock her number, but for now, it felt amazing to be free of her.

Riding that feeling, I texted Erik, my birth father. He had tried to split Jamal and me up. Threatened the man I loved. I had been formulating what I wanted to say.

Me: Despite your efforts, Jamal and I are together and in love. He has told me everything about the domestic assault charge. It hasn't swayed my love for him. You tried to tear us apart and you failed. Jamal is my everything.

I'm sorry you weren't able to see him as the amazing man he is. It's sad that all you saw was his race and his wheelchair. You didn't give him a chance. The same as you never gave me a chance. You've only ever compared me to your kids. Not accepted me for my true self.

I know you hate this about me, but I am queer and proud of it and I have found a man who sees me for who I am. Maybe someday, you'll realize your first born son was worthy of your attention. But for now, I'm cutting ties. I need to heal from the wounds you and Freya inflicted on me. I was a child and you abandoned me. I have found a loving home now with the man I love.

I clicked send and saw that hereadit. Butterflies stirred in my stomach as I waited.

Nothing.

I waited fifteen minutes, staring at my phone.

Nothing.

I was done with him. Anotherblock.

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