Page 76 of After the Vows

Madison forces her way in between me and Mrs. Wurth. “Why don’t we all sit down and stop using the word bully?”

I frown. “Why? Because Sheila’s been a bully all summer and you didn’t do anything about it?”

Guilt flashes on her face. And I am done. I do not put up with bullies. And I definitely don’t put up with summer camps that don’t do anything about bullies.

“Okay. This is what’s going to happen,” I begin.

“Who do you think you are?” Mrs. Wurth asks.

“I’m the person who’s going to have her daughter report every single incident of bullying by your daughter until the camp does something about it. I’m the person who’s going to phone every other parent in the school and make sure they know your daughter is a bully. I’m the person who’s going to speak to the school district about their bullying policy. Need I go on?”

Mrs. Wurth shrinks away. “No.”

I address Madison. “Are we done here?”

“I can’t allow Natalia to return to summer camp.”

“Fine.” Summer camp is over in two days anyway. We’ll figure out some way to keep Natalia occupied until school starts next week.

“I’m sorry, Chloe.” Madison wrings her hands together. “I know how you feel about bullying after what…”

I hold up my hand before she can mention my past. “Apology accepted but this stops now.”

“Understood.”

I grasp August’s hand. “Let’s go.”

She squeezes my hand. “I’m with you, Chloe.”

I open the door and Natalia rushes to me. I drop August’s hand to hug her.

“I’m sorry, Clo-Clo.” She bursts into tears. “I didn’t mean to get you in trouble.”

“It’s okay.” I sway her from side to side until she stops crying. I lean back and wipe the tears from her eyes. “This is not your fault. You hear me? Not your fault.”

I wait for her to nod before releasing her.

“Okay. Let’s get out of here.”

I wave to August who’s holding a distraught Piper. “I’ll call you.”

“You can send Natalia to my house for the next two days. I work at home anyway.”

I thank her before exiting the building with Natalia. I frown when I notice Lucas still isn’t here.

“Where’s your dad?”

“Um…”

“Out with it.”

“I didn’t phone my dad.”

Fear rocks through me. Will Lucas be mad at me for handling this situation? For not reaching out to him?

Shit. Shit. Shit.

If Lucas says Natalia ishisdaughter again and I have no say in her upbringing, it’ll break my heart. I can’t handle it.

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