Chapter 9 #2
I stared at the screen, debating how much I should say. I didn’t want to freak her out or make her feel awkward.
Scarlett:
I left the convent about a year and a half ago.
My dad doesn’t know.
Her response came fast.
Sofia:
What?
Scarlett, what do you mean he doesn’t know?
Scarlett:
He thinks I’m still a nun.
I took a deep breath because I knew I needed to explain this impossible situation in a way that would make sense to her.
I haven’t been close to my father since I left home. He’s been so wrapped up in the city and now his Senate run that he barely knows I exist.
I don’t know why no one from the monastery hasn’t told him I left. Maybe it’s the money he donates every month, maybe because they have other reasons.
Sofia:
That’s not okay.
At all.
My throat tightened.
Scarlett:
I know. I’ve been pretty stuck.
I chewed on my lip, not wanting to say what had to be said. But it was now or never.
I don’t want to go back to Spain.
Sofia:
Of course you don’t!
Jesus. Your mom would lose her mind if she knew this was happening to you.
My eyes burned.
My mother will be livid when I tell her.
They’d been best friends since they were in high school…you know, like we were.
For the first time since breakfast, the panic eased just enough for me to breathe. After a long pause because I wasn’t sure how to respond, another message appeared.
Sofia:
Can I call you?
I stared at the screen for a second, then typed back my number before I could overthink it.
The call came through almost immediately.
I pressed the phone to my ear and whispered, “Hi.”
Sofia quickly replied. “You’re whispering. Why are you whispering?”
“I’m in a closet. I can’t talk loud.”
“Scarlett—” The way she said my name made my chest tighten. “What’s going on?”
I shifted against the wall, pulling my knees in closer. “I don’t have much privacy. My dad’s security is everywhere, and if they find out I don’t want to go back, who knows what they will do to me.”
She didn’t respond right away.
“That’s so messed up,” she huffed. “And also very on-brand for Mayor Hayes.”
I let out a quiet breath that might’ve been a laugh.
“So, you left the convent,” she said, getting right to it. “A year and a half ago. And he doesn’t know.”
“No, he thinks I’m still living in the monastery.”
“How?” she demanded. “How does that even happen?”
“I don’t know,” I said, resting my head back against the wall and closing my eyes.
“Since I left for Spain, my life has been…a nightmare. No money. Nothing. I’ve barely been scraping by.
When I tried to call my father, he ignored me.
Then, a few weeks ago, I finally got through to him, and he agreed to let me come home for a holiday visit.
He was more than happy to parade his devout daughter beside him for Christmas, right as he was leaving his position as mayor and announcing his Senate run.
I couldn’t tell him I’d left the sisterhood. ”
“That’s disgusting. I’ve always said he was fake. A sanctimonious asshole. All speeches and zero follow-through.”
I swallowed. “He’s sending me back.”
“When?”
“New Year’s Day, on a five p.m. flight.”
There was another short pause.
“Okay, then I’ll come get you before your flight.”
My heart dropped. “I don’t think you can.”
“Why not?”
“My dad has a campaign event first thing that day at the children’s hospital, and I’m expected to stand beside him for it. After that, I won’t be alone again. I’ll be under supervision until they put me on a plane.”
“Oh my God, Scarlett, that sucks.”
“My only chance to get away is tomorrow night. The city will be pure chaos, and the mayor will be busy pushing the giant switch for the ball to drop.”
She exhaled slowly. “This is really terrible timing, isn’t it?”
I dropped my head. “I know. I’m sorry, I didn’t—”
“I don’t mean because of you,” she cut in. “I’ve just had New Year’s Eve plans set forever. My cousin Margaretta is in town from Atlanta, and she’s only here for a few days.”
“I get it,” I said. “I really do. I’m not asking you to change anything.”
“Scar, this situation is not okay; you’re not okay,” she huffed, her voice loaded with concern. “But don’t worry, I’ll figure something out.”
“I don’t mean to be an inconvenience,” I said, hating the desperation in my voice.
“I just need somewhere to go. Maybe I could hide at your place for a while. I won’t be any trouble.
I’ll get a job as fast as I can and be out of your hair in no time.
I just can’t go back. I can’t get on that damn plane. ”
She went quiet long enough that I wondered if the call had dropped.
“You are not an inconvenience,” she said firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument. “Ever. I just need to think this through without screwing over Margaretta.”
“I understand, and I’m not asking you to cancel,” I tried to assure her. “Really. I know this is coming at you from left field, and the timing sucks.”
“I never imagined in my wildest dreams I’d be hearing from my best friend from high school and helping her make escape plans from the mayor of New York,” she giggled. “But that doesn’t mean I’m not helping you. It’s actually all pretty thrilling.”
I couldn’t stop the smile that spread across my face as a burst of nervous excitement shot through me.
“No matter what happens tomorrow,” she said without hesitation, “I’m getting you out from under your dad. One way or another. We’ll figure out how to ditch his security.”
“Oh my gosh, Sof, that’s amazing.”
“And if you want,” her voice bursting with excitement, now, “you could come out with us. We’ve got a whole New Year’s Eve night planned, like you wouldn’t believe.
Bars, a private club, the works. Absolutely reckless.
It’s all about the decadence. You know, living our best lives before we’re old and boring. ”
Then she checked herself. “But if that’s too much, you can always just crash at my place. No pressure. Seriously. You don’t have to decide right now.”
I swallowed. “I’d actually…love to go out.”
“You would?” she squealed, clearly thrilled.
“It’s been so long. I haven’t really done anything fun with girlfriends since I left Manhattan. I just want my life back.”
She laughed. “Okay. I love this version of you.”
I smiled to myself. For the first time in years, the idea of New Year’s Eve didn’t feel like something I had to survive.
“All right,” she said, switching gears. “But first—important questions.”
“Oh?”
“Do you drink? And are you going to panic if a hot guy flirts with you? Because this is not a quiet-dinner situation.”
I snorted. “Honestly? Madrid nightlife makes Manhattan look tame. And who doesn’t love a Lemon Drop?”
She gasped. “Who are you right now?”
“You don’t even want to know.”
“Girl, now you have to spill all the tea as soon as we are together. You’ve got my curiosity fully piqued. I can’t wait to see you.”
“Thank you, Sof. Seriously. This means everything to me. I can’t wait to see you too.” I hesitated, then added, “You’re so…glamorous now. Like an actual rock star.”
“Oh my God, stop,” she laughed. “I’m still me. It just took a couple of unhinged college videos going viral, and suddenly, people wanted to pay me to be myself. It’s been a wild ride.”
“Your life looks fabulous. Maybe you can help me get mine launched.”
“Absolutely. And we’re starting with New Year’s Eve,” she said without missing a beat. “You’ll come over to Margaretta’s mom’s place in Jersey to get ready with us. We’ll pregame, do hair and makeup—the whole thing. Do you even have party clothes with you?”
“I wish,” I groaned. “I had to play the nun so no one would get suspicious about me coming home. And trust me, a brown wool habit is not Manhattan clubwear.”
“Can you imagine? Don’t worry. I’ll bring everything you need. Do you still wear the same size shoe as me—a seven?”
“Yes.”
“This is destiny,” she declared. “Dressing you is officially my favorite part.”
I shook my head, smiling so hard my cheeks hurt. “You’re really doing this?”
“Obviously. It’s New Year’s Eve. My best friend is back. And we are not letting you sit at home while the city loses its mind.”
I hesitated, the nerves finally catching up. “I don’t know if I’m the same person anymore.”
“That’s fine,” she said, unfazed. “Neither am I.”
She rattled off the address for Margaretta’s mom’s place. “Seven o’clock. Tell your dad and his people it’s dinner out in Jersey with a couple of old friends from high school and their mom. That will throw them off the scent.”
“Okay. Got it.”
“We’ll handle everything once you’re here,” she paused, just for a second. “And Scarlett—no more spiraling. I’ve got you. I’m a girl’s girl. Always. Call me if you need anything. Anytime.”
“Thank you, Sofia,” I whispered, the emotion choking me up.
“Of course,” she said softly.
The call ended, and I sat there in the dark closet, staring at my phone, my heart racing.
I was scared, but underneath it all, I was excited.
My father came home late after a day of press events, winding down his administration.
I heard him before I saw him—the low murmur of a call ending, the thud of a cabinet door, the soft clink of ice in a glass. He was in the living room when I stepped in, his jacket off, tie loosened, Scotch in hand. The TV glowed in the corner, paused on a frozen panel of arguing faces.
He settled onto the sofa and motioned for me to join him.
“Hey,” I said lightly.
He smiled, the tired version this time, his shoulders easing as the day finally caught up with him. “Everything okay?”
“Yes,” I said, taking my time to stand next to him. “I wanted to ask you something.”
He tilted his head slightly, assessing me. “What’s up, sweetheart?”
“There’s an old friend from high school I want to see tomorrow night,” I said, trying to be nonchalant so he wouldn’t suspect I was up to anything. “Just dinner. At her mom’s place in Jersey.”
He didn’t answer right away. His thumb circled the rim of his glass as he gazed at the silent TV. After a long moment, he took a deep pull from his drink and turned to look at me.
“Tomorrow’s New Year’s Eve,” he said at last. “I’ll be dealing with a lot. I’m not sure that’s the best time for you to be out.”
“Yes, but—” My mouth went dry. I swallowed hard. “I’ll be back early. Well before midnight.”
He leaned back farther, one arm draped over the sofa. “Scarlett, after what happened at the church—”
“I know,” I said quickly. “But your security is on high alert now. There’s no way anyone could get past them. You’ve made sure of that.”
He drew a slow breath, eyes fixed on the amber swirling in his glass.
“It’s been so long since I’ve been allowed to come home,” I added quietly. “I’ve been careful. I’ve done everything you asked. I stood with you at your events. Kept quiet.” I pressed my hands together, as if praying for him to agree. “I’ve tried to be…everything you wanted.”
His gaze lifted to meet mine.
“And don’t worry, I’ll be right by your side the next morning at St. Catherine’s,” I said softly.
“I just want dinner with a couple of old friends before I leave. They’ve seen me on the news.
They don’t understand why I wouldn’t want to see them after being gone so long. If I don’t go, they’ll think I’m rude.”
I pressed my palm to the back of the sofa near his arm, hoping he wouldn’t overthink it.
“Please,” I said. “Just for a couple of hours.”
He sighed, then scrubbed a hand over his face.
“I don’t think so,” he said. “There are dangerous people out there who would love to use you to get to me.”
“I understand,” I pleaded. “But I’ll be with your security the entire time. You won’t even notice I’m gone.”
He was quiet again. The ice shifted in his glass, making a small clinking noise.
“All right.” He exhaled. “Dinner. And you come straight home after.”
Relief washed over me. Another step of my escape plan checked off.
“Yes, of course.”
“I’m assigning two men,” he continued. “They’ll stay close. No detours.”
“Whatever you think’s best, Dad.”
He nodded, decision made.
“Thank you.” I smoothed my hands against my skirt, offering a soft smile.
As I turned away, he added, “And Scarlett—”
I paused, glancing back.
“I love you.”
“Love you too,” I whispered.
The words sounded hollow. I couldn’t tell if he meant them or if he said them because it was what a father was supposed to say in moments like this. Maybe it was both. Maybe neither.
He’d said he loved me before—right before he sent me away. Right before he stopped calling. Right before he decided silence was easier.
I love you, I’d learned, was easy to say.
It was the showing up that mattered. Doing the hard thing when it would be easier to walk away. Words were cheap. Actions were the only thing that meant anything at all.
And he hadn’t shown up for me in a very long time.