Page 221 of Forbidden Billionaires: Vol. 1
"I'm 20 years old, Dad. It's not that big of an age difference."
"Seven years? You need to focus on school, Penny. You're not ready for the same things that he's ready for." He pointed at James as if he was an object instead of a person.
"I am ready for those things. I love him, Dad." What was he even referring to? Sex? How could he not realize that I was sexually active. I was dating my 27 year old professor.Of course I'm having sex.
"You're ready for marriage? And children? And responsibilities? You have no idea what it's like to be an adult. You don't even know how to write a check. You're just a child. He's an adult. You're too young to date him."
"I'm not even ready to get married again..." James instantly closed his mouth.
Oh no.I was hoping that could be a discussion for a different day.
"You were already married?" My mom finally broke her silence.
"I'm recently divorced, yes."
"How recently?" she asked.
"I filed for a divorce last year."
My parents just stared at him.
Oh, shit.
James cleared his throat. "It became official yesterday, but..."
"You got divorced yesterday?" my mom asked incredulously. "You started a relationship with my 20 year old daughter while you were still married?" She didn't hide the disgust in her voice.
I definitely preferred stunned silence.
"Mr. and Mrs. Taylor, please just let me explain. I would never put your daughter in a position like that. As far as I'm concerned, my relationship with my ex wife was terminated as soon as I filed..."
"You put her in a terrible situation," my dad cut in. "You're her professor. You were her married professor."
"Yes, I was Penny's communications professor. And I realize that I crossed the line. I completely understand why you're upset. But my marriage really has nothing to do with this."
"I was the one that crossed the line," I cut in. "You shouldn't be mad at him, you should be mad at me." My phone started to buzz in my pocket, but I ignored it.
"We are mad at you," my dad said. "But we will deal with you later."
This was ridiculous, I wasn't a kid anymore. They couldn't just ground me. Could they? This whole situation was so bizarre. "It was my fault. I fell in love with my professor and he told me to stay away from him. I didn't listen. You two met and fell in lovein college. This isn't any different than that. You were my age when you met. You should understand better than anyone."
"Those were completely different circumstances," my dad said.
"Were they that different? Yes, you were the same age, but you were both as young as me. You have to at least accept the fact that I'm in love with him. And he resigned for me. So that we could be together."
"Did he get divorced for you too? Was he cheating on his wife with..."
"It wasn't like that," James said. "I would never cheat on someone."
"You have a very strange sense of morals, James," my dad said.
I could tell that James was trying to remain calm, but that statement clearly angered him. I could see it brewing behind his eyes. I continued to ignore my phone buzzing in my pocket.
"I would never do anything to hurt Penny," James said, as calmly as he could.
"You already have. What's going to happen when other professors find out? And students? Can't she be expelled for this?" my dad asked.
"We talked to the dean this morning when I resigned. Penny got two strikes on her record, but other than that, nothing. The news is circulating fast and I assume most of the college already knows. That's why we're here. We wanted to tell you before you found out from someone else. Despite my loose morals, I respected you both enough to want to tell you the truth in person."
