Page 89 of Lost Room Lawyer
Leo hesitated.
“If you had even the slightest understanding of how I’m feeling, you wouldn’t have been so determined to clear out my mother’s apartment yesterday.”
My father’s empathy mask vanished, and his usual cold demeanor reappeared. “And then you go home and try to kill yourself? With pills? Are you out of your mind?”
His words hit me like punches to the gut. My muscles tightened, and I gasped for air. But why was I surprised? Blaming me was Leo’s specialty. Whether he truly cared about me, I couldn’t say. Maybe he was just so oblivious that he didn’t realize how deeply he hurt me each time.
For a moment, I sat still on the bed, a numbness creeping over me. My skin tingled, and my swollen eyelids felt heavy.
I knew what Leo was getting at and knew that I only had this one chance to stand up to him. Now or never. I was fed up with being belittled by him.
In his world, it was unthinkable that I didn’t pursue a legal career, so I took the wind out of his sails before he could slowly build his power to crush me in one blow.
“Everything I said, I meant it.”
Maybe I was imagining it, but I was sure I saw Leo shudder. But he quickly composed himself.
“Writing,” he scoffed, brushing it off. “You won’t achieve anything with that.”
“I suppose that’s a matter of opinion,” I countered defiantly.
I was starting to feel cold, so I adjusted the blanket up higher and sat up straight. It took all my energy to fight this battleagainst him, but this time I was determined to see it through to the end.
“You studied law. Did a master’s degree. You can’t be serious about this?”
Hearing Leo’s voice rise was a sign that he was becoming aware that he was talking to a wall. Anger had always been his weapon to control and undermine me. I was young and intimidated by him. But now I was fed up with the constant disagreements.
For years, I had held back my thoughts because my hands had been tied. As long as I had writer’s block, I could only take the path of least resistance. Now I was overflowing with ideas. There was nothing else I wanted to do but write.
“I’m actually very serious,” I replied. “And this time, you won’t stand in my way. I’m not hiding anymore. There’s no contract that could forbid me from writing my next books. I’m no longer a minor and ignorant. Yes, I studied law and know the laws. You have no power over me anymore.”
My heart raced so wildly that I feared it might burst through my chest. Desperate for some relief, I rested an elbow on my knee and tugged at my hair.
Leo pressed his lips into a thin line and observed me for a while. “You know I only ever wanted the best for you, and that never included visiting my son in the hospital because he took an overdose of pills.”
Ashamed, I lowered my head. I couldn’t even explain to myself how things had come to this. It wasn’t like me. Sure, there had been moments when I’d lost control, but maybe seeing the psychologist wasn’t such a bad idea.
“I just want you to be happy.”
“Stop it, Dad. I don’t buy that anymore—even if you mean it.”
Leo blinked in surprise but found no words.
“Stay out of my life,” I said quietly but firmly. “Yes, we can talk on the phone now and then if you’re really interested in how I’m doing. But when it comes to my job, contracts, or anything else—none of it is your business.”
I was curious about what would happen next. Even though he had briefly nodded to reassure me, he didn’t seem to be leaving. “Alright, but … Hector?” he asked incredulously. “He’s been married for seventeen years and has two kids! Isn’t he way too old?”
“Stop it, Dad,” I groaned. “Not much older than you were with Grazia.”
“Are you serious about this?”
“Stop already!”
I felt myself nearing my limits, just craving some peace. Yet the question of how serious I was about Hector lingered in the back of my mind.
Yes, I was serious, but my father didn’t need to know that. He was well aware I’d enjoyed my freedom and had my share of fun in recent years. My doubts were minor compared to the bigger fear that Hector might pull away again. But the way he had burst through the door earlier and hugged me like I’d narrowly escaped death gave me hope.
I had truly fallen in love with him and couldn’t wait to see him again and pick up where we had left off after Victoria’s visit to the apartment.
