Page 75 of The Beat of her Heart

Giselle was livid now. “Do you have anyidea how many people you’ve driven away with your constant judgment?”

Her mother raised a brow, sitting stiffly on the couch. “Giselle, don’t be dramatic. We were only giving our perspective.”

“Your perspective?” Giselle repeated, her hands clenched. “Your ‘perspective’ just drove away the best thing that’s happened to me in a long time!”

Her mom straightened, adjusting the floral blouse she wore. “You’re speaking irrationally. We’re here to help you, Giselle. We’re trying to keep you on the right path.”

Giselle let out a short, humorless laugh. “The right path? Do you think this is the right path? You think pushing me into a life I didn’t choose, into becoming someone so closed-off I can’t let anyone in, was the right path?”

Her mother folded her arms, her gaze cool. “You’re being rude. After all we’ve done for you, the sacrifices we’ve made?—”

“Sacrifices?” Giselle’s voice rose, her control slipping. “You pushed me into medical school because it suited your image. You demanded perfection because anything lesswasn’t acceptable in your world. And now, I’m…I’m unable to keep anyone close because of what you’ve turned me into.”

Her dad pressed his lips together, visibly uncomfortable. “We wanted the best for you—a respectable career, stability, and success. Is that so wrong?”

Giselle’s hands shook, but she held her ground. “The best for me? Or the best for you? You wanted a surgeon in the family, someone to brag about, someone who wouldn’t embarrass you. But did you ever stop to think about what I wanted?”

Her mother tilted her head, her expression a mixture of irritation and disbelief. “Giselle, you’re talking nonsense. We’re here because we care about you, not because we need some trophy daughter.”

Giselle crossed her arms, her shoulders tense. “You could have fooled me.”

There was a long, heavy silence. Her dad glanced around, then back at Giselle, as if unsure of how to handle her outburst. Finally, he leaned forward, his gaze sharp.

“You’ve become very disrespectful. This tone, this attitude, it’s…disappointing. We didn’t raise you to be ungrateful.”

Giselle’s jaw tightened. “Ungrateful? I’ve done everything you’ve ever asked of me. I gave up my dreams and my relationships just to meet your impossible standards. And you have the nerve to call me ungrateful?”

Her mother sighed, glancing at the tea set on the table as if it held some deep wisdom. “You’re not seeing things clearly. You’re emotional, and you’re letting that cloud your judgment.”

“Cloudmyjudgment!” Giselle scoffed. “You two have the worst possible judgment.”

Her parents frowned. Mom shook her head from side to side, sucking her teeth in derision. Giselle wasn’t deterred. This scene was way too familiar. They’d act hurt and insulted, and she’d cower and apologize.

Not today.

“You should take that back,” her dad said.

Giselle scoffed again and pressed her hand to her forehead. “You’re kidding, right?”

“Take that back, Giselle,” Mom said.

Giselle shook her head. She wouldn’t do this again. She wouldn’t back down just because she had feelings. She wouldn’t let herself bend to their will every damn time.

“No.”

Her mother blinked, adjusting her gaze in horror. “Giselle?”

“What, Mom?” Giselle said. “I love you two, but at every turn, you make it clear that you love the idea of me being some medical robot than you love your own daughter.”

“Andthis Adelaideactually loves you, I suppose?” her dad scoffed.

“Adrienne, Dad,” Giselle retorted. “Her name is Adrienne Wolfe.Dr.Adrienne Wolfe, she’s a brilliant pediatric surgeon and I love her.”

Giselle felt peace wash over her as the words left her lips. She loved Addie. She’d say it over and over again.She loved Addie.

“I love her,” Giselle said. A smile creeped up her face, but didn’t last long.

“Adelaide, Adrienne…whatever,” her mother began. “She was?—”

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