Page 49 of Role Play
“So?”
“So I’m going with him.” She meets my eyes, and I see the determination there. “It’s an incredible opportunity for his career. For both of us, really.”
“And Dakota?” I ask, though I already know the answer.
“Henry feels that she…complicates things.” Hannah at least has the decency to look ashamed. “He’s not ready for full-time parenting. Especially abroad.”
“Well, good thing he’s not Dakota’s parent, right?”
“Forrest—”
“Look, you want to know my honest opinion about Henry?”
“No,” she snaps.
“Tough shit. He’s not a bad guy, but he’s too old for you and he’s rigid—stuck in his ways. Just like your parents who you spent the majority of your life trying to escape. But if you really love him, I’ll help you.”
“Help me?” Her expression changes, as if that were the last thing she expected me to say.
“Breaking up doesn’t mean we have to be enemies. Don’t you know I still want you to be happy? You and Henry can survive six months of long distance. Go visit him whenever you like. I’ll keep Koda while you travel. You know I want more time with her anyway.”
Hannah smooths her long hair, then tucks it behind her ears—her nervous tick. So, I know bad news is coming. “Henry wants to propose. And I want to say yes. But…”
“But what?”
“He doesn’t want kids. He doesn’t particularly like it when Dakota’s around. He made some calls to get Koda into Dorimer. And he’s willing to pay for tuition, room and board, visits,everything. If she doesn’t go, Henry’s not going to ask me to marry him.”
The words hit me like a physical blow. My throat tightens with fury—not just at Hannah, but at Henry too. What kind of man asks a woman to choose between him and her child?
The kind of man my mother chose, whispers a voice in the back of my mind.
Memories surface…
Mom dropping me off at Dad’s ranch for what was supposed to be a weekend visit, then calling three days later to say she’d met someone new, someone who “wasn’t into kids.” Dad became my everything after that—steady, reliable, always there. He taught me that being a parent isn’t something you do when it’s convenient. It’s who you are, always.
“So instead of telling this guy to fuck off, you’re planning to ship Dakota away?” I ask, incredulous.
“It’s not that simple, Forrest.”
“Itisthat simple. She’s our daughter. We’re supposed to put her needs first.”
Hannah stands again, insolence replacing her shame. “And what about what I need? What about my happiness? I’ve been a full-time mother for four years. Don’t I deserve a life too?”
“Not at the expense of your child.” I rake a hand through my hair, wishing she could try being reasonable for once. “Hannah, really listen to yourself. You’re talking about abandoning our daughter.”
“I’m not abandoning her!” Hannah’s voice rises, my words triggering her. “I’m providing her with the best education money can buy.”
“Henry’s money, you mean.”
Her eyes flash. “Yes, Henry’s money. The same money that pays for her pony, her swim lessons, her dance lessons, her designer clothes. The same money that gives her a bedroom with a view of Central Park instead of some cramped hole-in-the-wall in Brooklyn.”
The words sting. There’s truth in them. I can’t give Dakota the material comforts that Henry can. But I can give her something far more valuable—my time, my attention, my unwavering presence.
“You know what?” I say, suddenly calm. “If you want to go to Tokyo, go. But Dakota’s not going to boarding school. She’s staying with me.”
Hannah laughs, the sound shrill and dismissive. “Where would she even sleep? Your apartment barely has room for you and Taio.”
“I’ll figure it out.”
