Page 48 of A Play for Love

“No. She doesn’t even know I’m here talking to you. I had to come to New York to give a lecture to medical students at Columbia.”

“And you brought him?” She looked Shaun up and down.

“He’s here on business. And just so you know, Shaun is my cousin. He’s my blood, and I don’t take too kindly to those who talk negatively about him. Who do you have in your life, Rose?”

“That’s none of your business.”

“Let me take a guess. No one. You have no one. Your mother passed away, as did your husband, and now your daughter left you. No wonder it felt so empty when I stepped into your home. You resent Sofia because she wanted out. She was all you had left, and you wanted to keep a tight rope around her so she couldn’t leave you. Because you knew if she did, you’d be left all alone.”

“You have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“See, where I come from, family is everything. Family is life, and life is family. We’d do anything to protect one another. And now, your daughter is a part of my family. We all love her to death. It’s too bad you can’t find love in your heart for your family. Because no matter how badly a family member hurts us, we still love them unconditionally. This isn’t about Sofia quitting the ABT. This is about her abandoning you and leaving you here all alone. You wouldn’t let her be her own person because you knew if she was, she’d leave you one day. And look where that got you. She’s gone and happy living the life she always wanted. She’s happy, Rose. I wish I could say the same for you, but I can’t. You still have a family. It’s just too bad that you choose to live your life alone because you can’t truly see the best gifts in life. And it’s not the ABT or ballet.”

“You will leave my house immediately!” she shouted.

“With pleasure, Rose. Shaun, come on. Let’s get out of here.”

“You are a horrible, horrible man, Dr. Kind.”

I stopped and turned around.

“No, Rose. I’m not. I’m whom you choose to see through the dark-colored lenses you wear. Try taking them off, and then you’ll see who the horrible person really is. It is amazing how Sofia turned out to be such a beautiful, sweet, kind-hearted, selfless, and loving person being raised by the likes of you.”

“How dare you!” Rose shouted.

“Oh, by the way. I can’t leave before I thank you. So, thank you very much, Rose.”

“For what?” She snapped.

“For making things so bad for Sofia that she had no choice but to leave. If you hadn’t, I never would have met and fallen madly in love with her. I know an amazing therapist who can help you with your narcissistic personality. Look me up if you want her name.” I walked out of the room and out the front door.

Shaun and I climbed into the back of the limo.

“What?” I asked as he wouldn’t stop staring at me.

“Fuck, man. I honestly didn’t know you had that in you. You were fucking brilliant.” He hooked his arm around me and kissed the side of my head. “Fucking brilliant!”

* * *

Sofia

“Why the hell isn’t Shaun texting me back,” Jenni said as we all gathered in my living room.

“He and Nathan are probably drunk as fuck and passed out in their suite.” Grace smiled.

“Let’s see where they’re at,” Jenni said. “It looks like they’re at a residence on East 74thStreet.” Her brows furrowed.

Suddenly, a sick feeling filled my belly.

“Let me see that.” I grabbed Jenni’s phone from her hand and stared at it. “Oh, my God!” I placed my hand over my mouth.

“What is it, Sof?” Julia asked.

“Sof, what’s wrong?” Alex asked.

My heart raced out of my chest. “They’re at my mother’s house.”

“Oh shit,” Georgia spoke. “Are you sure?”

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