Page 52 of Three Reckless Words

“To be clear, that includes your grandmother’s trust, too,” Dad says. “Until you come back home, you’re not getting another cent from us.”

“Dad.” My voice cracks with panic.

Here come the hot, furious tears.

“Did you think I’d fund your reckless daydreams indefinitely? If you want to do this, you’ll do it alone.”

Tears sting my eyes.

I’m not relying on my dad to bail me out.

I’m relying onmymoney. It’s always been mine, to do whatever I choose.

“You can’t,” I whisper.

“Can’t I?” He softens his tone, placating me. “Come home, and you won’t have to worry about this anymore.”

“So what, this is blackmail, then? A threat?”

“This is reality, Wynne. Welcome.” He’s back to being the hard, icy man I remember from my childhood. “I only hope you wizen up soon. Come to your senses before I contact any lawyers.”

Before I can say anything, he hangs up.

I stare at my phone blankly.

Lawyers? Is he going to sic his lawyers on me because I don’t want an arranged marriage?

Shit.

I shouldn’t have spent so much on that stupid last-minute bachelorette party in the Keys with my best friend Lyssie. It was miserable, anyway.

I was sick with anxiety from marrying the wrong man the entire time.

I couldn’t enjoy it.

Without the trust money, I have enough for maybe another week or two, if I’m frugal. Then I’m completely homeless.

I drop my head in my hands.

This is awful. Complete disaster.

I have literally nowhere else to go that doesn’t involve crawling back to Springfield and winding up at Dad’s mercy. Even if I crash with Lyssie, he’ll find me.

It’s tempting to cry, but after two days of feeling at peace, I don’t want to ruin it by bawling my eyes out again.

No matter how short-lived it is now, this place is happy.

When I leave—and I will almost certainly have to leave—I can cry then. I’ll spill my tears in a crappy hotel room, if I’m lucky, and a cardboard box if I’m not.

No way am I going back home.

Dad can blackmail me all he likes.

I can get a job as a waitress or something.

I can figuresomethingout. I just need time.

I glance at the kitchen and all the sleek new equipment I haven’t used yet.

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