Page 170 of Scandalous Contract

“Ma...” Her voice dropped, hurt and bitter. “That’s why you should date someone like Hudson. Guys your age. The ones who actually want a real relationship. Not some college fantasy. Guys on campus joke about cougars all the time, how they'll do anything in bed to keep a man around. I never thought you’d be like that.”

My hands clenched. “Wait just a damn minute, India Adams. I am not like those women. And if you keep talking recklessly to me, we’re going to have a problem.”

“We already have a problem,” she muttered, snatching her phone off the couch. “And I can’t do this with you right now.”

“Where do you think you’re going?” I asked.

“Away from here,” she said, walking to the door.

“You better turn your little ass around...”

Her hand hit the doorknob. She paused. Looked back at me with tears shining in her eyes.

“I’m eighteen, Ma. I can leave if I want. And if you’re going to keep seeing Julian Cattaneo, then I don’t want to be anywhere near you. Ever.”

She opened the door. And just like that, she was gone. India stormed out of the house and slammed the door behind her. Ronnie grabbed my arm just as I reached for the doorknob.

“Let her walk it off,” he said.

“It’s not safe for her to be walking around alone,” I snapped, my panic rising.

“This is a good neighborhood,” he reassured me. “Plus, she made friends with that girl down the street, who also goes to her college, Joanie’s daughter. That’s where she’s headed. Joanie and I chat from time to time. I’ll text her to see if India went there. Just... sit. I’ll get you a bottle of water.”

I nodded stiffly and sank onto the couch. As soon as I sat, I buried my face in my hands, elbows on my knees. My skin felt clammy, my chest tight, and shame curled up inside me like smoke choking me from the inside out.

That had gone so bad. So bad. My daughter had looked at me like I was someone she didn’t even recognize. Her words were still ripping my heart to shreds even though she was no longer here.

I don’t want to be anywhere near you, ever.

That’s what she’d said to me, as if I’d done something horrible, something unforgivable. Like loving someone meant I’d betrayed her. All I wanted was to love Julian and be loved by him. Was that so horrible? Ronnie returned and pressed a cold bottle of water into my hand.

“I texted Joanie,” he told me. “I told her to hit me back if India shows up.”

I took a sip, then swallowed and asked, “Did you hear what she said?”

He nodded. “Yes. I was right there. I heard it all.”

“She’s never talked to me like that before, Ronnie.”

“If you ask me, you didn’t beat her ass enough when she was a child.”

“What?”

He shrugged. “I’m just saying, we would’ve never talked to our parents like that. Our little asses would’ve woken up in heaven.”

“Ronnie!” I gasped.

“I’m just saying,” he shrugged. “This is what happens when you follow that gentle parenting route.”

“She’s just upset, and she has the right to be,” I whispered, still clutching the water bottle.

“I know. She’s only eighteen. Right now, her friendships and reputation are her life. She doesn’t have a mortgage, car note, or credit card bill. She’s got tunnel vision. And right now, this?” He waved a hand toward the door. “This feels like the end of the world to her. But that doesn’t mean you give in just because she’s mad.”

I stared down at my phone. “I need to call her.”

“Give her some time to cool off,” Ronnie said. “She needs it. And frankly, so do you.”

“I leave tomorrow. I don’t have much time.”