Page 72 of Phillip

Uncertainty blossomed. “I don’t understand.”

He inched back, and his gaze darkened. “I told them that I loved you.”

She choked. “What?”

He swallowed hard. “And that it was my intention to marry you one day.”

Memories of her parents’ visit to Harvard clouded her mind. Mother had spoken of Ashley’s future in her company and the sky-high expectations for her class presentation. She vividly recalled Mother’s offhand remarks about Phillip’s reputation for irresponsibility and recklessness, as well as her unsought advice for Ashley to break up with him. Ashley also clearly remembered painfully seeking her mother’s approval. “What—” Her voice cracked, and she cleared her throat. “What did they say?”

His sad, helpless grin broke her heart. “They gave me their blessing.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

Ashley blared the car radio on her drive home. The noise hadn’t helped drown her anger. By the time she’d pulled onto her street, she’d reached dangerous levels of self-loathing and fury. If she’d been a stronger person. If her mother actually cared for her. If, if, if—she wanted to scream!

For the first time, she was glad that her mother was staying in the guest bedroom. There were a few things they needed to discuss. Ashley sped into the driveway and slammed the brakes hard enough for her seat belt to jerk.

She stormed toward the confrontation that had been years in the making. Her hands trembled as she fumbled for her keys before giving up and smacking the front door. It was less of a knock, and more a feeble attempt to knock it down.

The door swung open, and Mary Beth gaped from the other side. “Are you okay?”

“Where is she?” Ashley blew by. “Where is my mother?”

“She’s gone.” Mary Beth shut the door.

Ashley spun. “She left?”

Mary Beth nodded. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m going to kill her.”

“What happened?”

“I don’t know where to begin.” Ashley whirled toward the dining room and threw her purse and keys onto the table. “I’ve always known she pulled the strings in my life. There was a time that I let her.”

“But not anymore,” Mary Beth assured.

“It doesn’t matter. There are always consequences.” A flood of tears brimmed in her eyes.

“What happened this time?”

It was more than Ashley could fathom explaining. “Phillip.”

A quizzical look crossed Mary Beth’s face. “Something happened after I left?”

“No. A long time ago.” Ashley closed her eyes as devastation rolled over her, momentarily covering her rage. She thought about all that they had missed. “I’m going to be sick.”

Mary Beth followed Ashley to the bathroom. Ashley collapsed onto the floor, half certain that she would vomit, half ready to sob. “I broke up with him for the pettiest reasons.”

Mary Beth scrunched her lips. “I don’t know. A goat? You wanted someone stable and responsible.”

“I wanted love!” Ashley dropped her head into her hands. “Phillip met with my parents and told them that he planned to marry me.”

Ashley hazarded a look up when Mary Beth didn’t respond. Her jaw simply hung.

“I messed up.”

Mary Beth wrapped Ashley in her arms and hugged tightly.

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