Samuel sounded anxious, but his next words came with a jab.
"It was just a joke. You really had to run away over that?"
I shot back, my voice flat. "Then tell me, would you be okay with it?"
He choked on his words. Then Lillian's soft voice came from beside him.
"Charlotte, how could you just leave without a word? You have no idea how worried we were."
Samuel's tone went cold.
"Lillian's right. You can't let everyone think I didn't take care of you."
I bit my lip. "So me getting kicked out in the middle of the night, that matters less than you losing face in front of your friends?"
He dodged the question. "Just tell me where you are. While I still have patience."
I almost laughed at him.
He actually thought that condescending command was him compromising.
"Come back now," he sai
