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“Dad, listen to me,” I beg. “It isn’t how he’s making it seem.” There’s so much to say that it all gets swept up into a tornado in my head as I try to explain to him that this is a huge mistake. Quickly, I tether my thoughts and blurt, “Mom lied.”

“What do you mean?”

“She’s lying.”

He tilts his head, perplexed.

“Didn’t she talk to you?”

“Talk to me about what?”

She said she was going to be honest with him about the affair when he got back, but my gut is telling me that she hasn’t done that.

“What is she supposed to talk to me about?”

I want to tell him, but I hesitate. There’s confusion in his eyes, and suddenly, this all becomes too real, and I don’t know if I can hurt him like that. None of this is my doing—it’s hers—but if I tell him, then it’s me stabbing the sword of truth into him when it should be her.

“Sweetheart?”

I can’t hurt him.

“Nothing. Never mind.” I drop my head for a moment and gather my thoughts before returning to him. “Dad, I really need you to trust me when I tell you that I don’t belong here. I promise, you have nothing to worry about. I’m fine.”

His hand cups my cheek when he says painfully, “I want to believe you.”

“Dad, please.”

With furrowed brows, he presses his lips together, and I watch as he fights back his emotions, which only deflates my hopes of going home.

“Dad, I swear to you.”

He shakes his head, and his lack of trust stirs my frustration. “I love you.” His eyes begin to water. “I love you so much, but ...”

“Please.”

“I almost lost you once, I can’t ... I can’t risk it again.”

“You’re not.”

“Just use this time, okay? Use it the best you can.”

I yank my hands out of his. “Why are you doing this? Why don’t you believe me? I thought you loved me.”

“I do love you.”

“Then why aren’t you on my side?”

“Your side is the only side I’m on.”

But it isn’t. He’s taking Mom’s word for it, having no clue that she’s been lying to him for I don’t even know how long while I’m left here to suffer in this place. Anger eclipses frustration, flaming my skin and sending a current of heated tingles through my bones. I get up from the couch and pace a few steps, but distance does nothing for the burn of outrage boiling inside me.

“Harlow—”

“Why are you doing this?” I lash out. “It isn’t fair!”

He stands, but the glare of outrage in my eyes keeps him in place.

“You can’t leave me here!”