"What?" I asked, blinking rapidly.
That couldn't be. I couldn't leave California.
"Your parents are no longer here, dear, so you're under our care. You'll have to live with us in Texas until you go to college."
My jaw dropped in shock, but I really should have imagined this would happen. Even though I was of age, and Arthur, although married to my mother, was not my legal father. The most logical thing was for me to go with my grandparents, because they were my only living relatives who could take care of me until I became independent. But I outright refused; I couldn't bear the thought of being away from Lucke. I didn't want to be apart from him for a year. I preferred to stay here. I knew Arthur wouldn't kick me out. After all, I was his wife's daughter. He couldn't do that, could he?
