“Because you don’t want me to be happy!”

She jumped to her feet.

“Whenever I want something, you tell me I need to focus on school, study harder, do better… You treat me like I’m a machine!”

It felt like the air left my lungs.

“All you care about is my grade average,” she cried. “I’m just a schedule to you.”

“That’s not—”

“It is true!” Tears spilled over.
“You just want me to keep going until I break.”

Mike pulled her into a hug as she sobbed. I wanted to defend myself—but memories flooded in: nights urging her to push harder, do more, be better.

“I thought I was doing what was best for you…” I said, wiping my eyes. “I wanted to make sure you succeed…”

“I know, and she does too, but she needs more than that,” Mike said. “She needs room to pursue her passions, too.”

“But why lie?” I asked. “Why didn’t you talk to me?”

“I tried, but you wouldn’t listen. I should’ve told you, but Vivian was scared—and keeping her safe mattered.”

That hurt more than I expected.

Vivian looked at me cautiously now.