Page 76 of The Beat of her Heart

“At least say her name right,” Giselle snapped.

“It doesn’t matter. She was just a distraction, Giselle. You don’t need to ruin a stable life over someone temporary.”

Giselle felt a surge of anger rise again,hotter than before. “Adrienne isn’t a distraction. Did either one of you hear anything I just said?”

“We did,” her dad said. “And we’re telling you?—”

“No, I’m telling you,” Giselle said. “Addie cares about me. Not about what I do for a living or how many accolades I earn. She sees me.”

Her dad straightened, looking offended. “And we don’t see you? Is that what you think?”

Giselle stood still, trying in vain to steady her breathing. It just wouldn’t work. No matter how hard she tried to get her parents to see how she felt, they seemed determined to ignore her wishes.

“Yes,” Giselle said. Her parents looked horrified, but Giselle didn’t back down. “That’s exactly what I think. You see a version of me that fits into your world, but you don’t know me. Not who I am, not what I want.”

Her mother’s gaze turned cold, a look Giselle had seen many times before. “We know what’s best for you, Giselle. We alwayshave. And if you’d just listen, you’ll realize we’re right.”

Giselle took a step back, her hands dropping to her sides.

“No. You don’t get to make my decisions for me anymore. I’m done listening to what you think is best. You’ve controlled my life long enough.”

Her dad’s mouth dropped open in shock. “You’re being unreasonable. We’re only here because we care.”

Giselle threw her hands up. “Did you two even stop to think why I would ignore your calls and change my last name?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” her dad asked. “You’re obsessed with trying to do things yourself, even to your own detriment.”

“We’re just surprised you’re not done with that phase yet,” her mother added.

“Phase?” Giselle repeated, her jaw dropping.

“Yes,” her mother said. “We care about you, and that’s why we’ve always tried to help.”

Giselle shook her head. This was going nowhere. “Prove it,” she said.

“Pardon?” her mom asked.

“Prove that you care,” Giselle said. “Leave.”

Her mother looked at her, frowning. “You’re asking us to leave? After we came all this way to see you?”

Giselle nodded, her face set. “Yes.”

Her dad shook his head and stood up slowly, his look of disapproval clear. “This attitude…this lack of respect for your parents…it’s disappointing. We didn’t raise you to be so reckless.”

Giselle held her ground, her heart pounding. “Maybe I’m reckless. Maybe I need to be, just to finally get out of your shadow.”

Her mother rose, adjusting her blazer, her expression tense. “Fine. We’ll leave. But don’t come crying to us when this little rebellion of yours falls apart.”

Giselle didn’t respond, watching as they gathered their things with precise, practiced movements.

At the door, her mother paused and looked back at Giselle with something between anger and disappointment. “I hope you realize how ungrateful you’re being. After everything we’ve done for you.”

Giselle met her gaze, her expression unwavering. “Maybe I am ungrateful. But at least I’ll be free.”

Her mother shook her head and turned away, and without another word, they left, the door clicking shut behind them.

As soon as they were gone, Giselle’s shoulders slumped. She’d said what she needed to, but now that the words had left her, she felt like she’d thrown them into a void.

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