Forgotten

Chapter 19

Chapter: Ultimatums and Ashes

After that dream, I was fairly shaken. I couldn’t get it out of my mind. So I didn’t go home. Maybe I’m acting childish and spoiled, but I don’t care. I’m not over what my father did—and honestly, I don’t think I ever will be. I feel safe here with Jacin, and right now, that’s all that matters.

He had to leave early for work—4 a.m. I stayed curled up under his covers long after he’d gone. Eventually, I got ready for school and called a taxi. I’m going to have to think about buying a small car soon. A second-hand one would be fine—just something to get me from point A to B. It takes way too long to call a cab, and it’s such a waste of money.

The ride was quiet. I let the cab drop me outside school like usual. I wasn’t in the mood to face classes today. I wanted to be back at Jacin’s apartment, hiding away from the world. But I knew my father would be sending the driver to pick me up after school, and eventually, I’d have to go home… and face him. And Lyssa.

As soon as I saw Liara, I told her everything. Every sordid detail. The disaster that was supposed to be my birthday, and everything that happened afterward. Her face twisted into a frown.

“I’m grounded,” she said, sighing. “My parents have never been that angry before. Your dad showed up at my house looking for you." He didn’t believe I could’ve made new friends, apparently.

My heart sank.

“He thought I was lying for you,” she continued. “They swore you weren’t there, and then turned on me. They didn’t know where you were, and I couldn’t tell them because I didn’t know either. When your dad mentioned ‘Adrianna,’ I was so confused… I didn’t know that was the name behind Adrian.”

I couldn’t stop apologizing. “I didn’t mean to drag you into this. I told my dad I wasn’t there because I didn’t want you to get involved. I knew how he could be. I never meant to cause you so much trouble.”

She shook her head, trying to reassure me. But the guilt was suffocating.

Now that she knows the truth, maybe she can explain things to her parents. I’d hoped I could get a ride with her, avoid my father for just a little longer—but now I can’t do that to her. Not again.

So I’ll go home. I’ll face him.

Strangely, for the first time, I wanted the school day to drag on. I’ve never liked school as much as I did today.

But as the hours passed, I almost forgot what was waiting for me at home. I laughed with my friends, threw myself into my classes—anything to keep my mind busy. It wasn’t until the second-to-last period that the creeping dread returned. The intercom buzzed.

-Alysson, please report to the office.- was announced over the intercom.

My heart dropped. I packed my bag and left, hoping this wasn’t what I thought it was. Maybe my father had sent someone to pick me up early, paranoid that I’d run again.

But when I arrived at the office, the secretary looked at me with a strange expression.

“You can go right into the principal’s office.”

That was odd. No pickup. Just… this. I’ve never even been in the principal’s office before. My record’s clean. No detentions. Nothing.

I stepped in—and froze.

My father was sitting there.

This must be bad.

"Is this about her birthday?" my father said immediately, not even letting the principal speak. "I assure you, she’s overreacting. She’s had her tantrum—it’s over now.”

I blinked, stunned. He thought I reported him? He must on some level know what he did was wrong.

“I don’t know what you mean,” the principal replied flatly, eyes flicking to me. Whatever this was, it wasn’t about my birthday.

“What is this about, then? I’m a busy man and you’re wasting my time,” my father snapped.

There it was. He didn’t have a minute to spare—not even for me.

“Sir,” the principal said, trying to remain composed, “as you know, this is a prestigious school. We expect our students to uphold certain standards both in school and in public. We can’t afford to have rumors—”

“Oh, for heaven’s sake,” my father interrupted. “Just say it. What did she do? And tell me what it’ll cost to fix it.”

He hadn’t even heard the accusation yet, and he already assumed I was guilty.

The principal sighed. “Your daughter appears to be involved with a… biker gang. The man she’s seeing is reportedly a member—or the leader. He’s older. She’s been seen riding with him on several occasions. This school cannot be associated with gangs.”

I stared at him, dumbfounded. A biker gang?

“That’s ridiculous! Jacin isn’t in a gang—he just owns a bike!” I blurted out before I could stop myself. My mouth clamped shut as my father’s head slowly turned toward me, his glare icy and unfamiliar.

“Like she said,” he told the principal, his tone dangerously calm, “he’s not in a gang. But rest assured, I’ll deal with it. He won’t be near this school again.”

He stood. “Come, Alysson.”

“Wait—who told you about him?” I asked.

“A concerned student,” the principal said. “They were worried you were in over your head.”

I nodded numbly and followed my father, who grabbed my bag and arm. He didn’t speak as we walked through the school. Didn’t even look at me. Just dragged me to the car and sped off.

Once the gates were behind us, he exploded.

“So this is why you threw a tantrum about the party. You made me out to be the villain. You acted like I hurt you—when in reality, you were screwing some guy with a bike!”

His words stung like acid.

“I’m not screwing him,” I snapped. “I love him. We’ve been together for a long time—it’s serious.”

His eyes narrowed. “So you’ve been lying to me all this time. Lyssa was right. She warned me you were up to no good. And all this time you made her out to be some sort of monster.” I opened my mouth to defend myself, but he raised a hand, silencing me.

“I’m not doing this right now. I have meetings I had to postpone because of your little stunt. We’ll talk tonight.” He dropped me at the house and drove off. I walked in—and, of course, Lyssa was waiting.

“The selfish girl returns!” she sneered. “You had your father worried sick. He even went to your little friend’s house. And what do you do? You humiliate him. All those men saw your true value when you walked out on your party. Now no one will want to marry you!”

“Good!” I snapped. “I didn’t want to marry any of them! I’m in a serious relationship. I love Javin. Now that my father knows, there’s no need for some arranged marriage.”

I saw the panic flicker in her eyes.

“Don’t worry, Lyssa. I’ll be out of your hair soon enough. Off to university. You can relax before you get worry lines.” I stormed upstairs and messaged Liara. I needed to tell her everything. Maybe she could even find out who started this ridiculous biker gang rumor.

Later that night, my father came home. Late, of course.

I couldn’t sleep. My thoughts were too loud. My chest too heavy. I tiptoed downstairs and found him in the kitchen.

“I can’t sleep,” I said softly.

He looked at me like I was a stranger. “Why should you have peace? You’re a disgrace. I’ve never been more embarrassed than I was today. Sitting in that office hearing how you’ve been w*****g around. Then you tell me it’s serious? What do you want me to say to that?”

“I didn’t do anything wrong!” I shot back.

“If you didn’t, then why did you hide it?”

“Because I knew you wouldn’t approve!”

He leaned in, voice dripping with disdain. “Of course I don’t. He’s a nobody. He works four jobs and can’t afford anything. He’s pathetic.”

“How do you even know that?”

“I looked into him,” he said. “He’ll never make anything of himself. And if you think you can build a life with him—”

“I can,” I cut in. “I’ll study while he covers the bills. Then when I’m done, I’ll support him while he studies. We’re young. We have time. I don’t need a big wedding—just him.” His face twisted in rage.

“No daughter of mine will live like that. You will end it. Tomorrow.”

“No!” I yelled. “I love him!”

“You’re eighteen. You don’t know what love is. Break up with him.”

“Oh, I don’t? But it was perfectly fine for you to try and marry me off, wasn’t it?”

“That was different! Those men come from the right families!”

“So what you’re really saying is that I can’t love someone who isn’t rich!”

“He’s using you for your money!”

“He barely lets me pay for anything! If you looked at your bank statements, you’d see I’ve hardly spent a cent of your money in months!”

His jaw clenched. “Then hear me now. You break up with him or I will disown you.”

My heart thudded. “I don’t need your money. I have my own.”

“You don’t understand, Alysson,” he said, his voice soft and sinister now. “I will cut you off completely. No tuition. No family. No contact. I will erase you.”

I felt my breath catch.

“And Jacin? I will destroy him. I’ll get him fired from every job he has. I’ll blackball him from every position. I’ll buy the building he lives in and tear it down. I’ll wreck his bike. No home. No job. No food. He’ll hate you for it.” Tears streamed down my face as he brushed past me.

I couldn’t breathe. I had to get out.

I ran. I didn’t stop. Not until my lungs burned and my heart felt like it would burst. I kept running until I found myself at Liara’s house. I knocked, still sobbing.

Her mom opened the door, took one look at me, and pulled me into her arms. She didn’t ask questions—just held me.

Liara and her dad appeared at the top of the stairs. Her mom kept holding me until the sobs subsided. Then Liara took me upstairs and tucked me into her bed.

Sometime in the night, I finally fell asleep.

When I woke up, I felt like I’d been hit by a truck.

“You’re awake, sleepyhead,” Liara said from beside me. “Mom and Dad said I can stay home today with you. They were so worried. They even called your dad, but he just brushed it off. Said you were overreacting to a fight.”

My lips started trembling again.

“Aww, don’t cry. I’ll make breakfast. But no judging my cooking—it might be the saddest part of today.”She rushed off to the kitchen. I followed, needing to make sure she didn’t burn the house down.

After we ate the worst eggs I’ve ever tasted, we curled up in blankets on the couch, and I told her everything. My father’s threats. His ultimatums.

She stared at me, horrified. “What are you going to do?”

I didn’t know.

But I had to decide soon.