Chapter Fifteen

Dad has always given me everything I wanted. I’ve never done anything bad enough to make him sound like he wants to strangle me through the phone.

“And what else do you want me to say that’s going to make you happy, Dad? I’ve told you—I did not stab that girl.”

He scoffs, the sound sharp and heavy through the line. “Then what, Catherine? She stabbed herself? Your mother and I are about to board a plane home, and you’re going to explain exactly what’s wrong with you.”

The line cuts before I can say anything else.

I shut my eyes, exhaling until my chest hurts. Even my parents don’t believe me.

“Are you okay?” Dominic’s voice comes softly, careful.

My hands tremble as I grip the couch to sit. “I don’t know, Dominic. Maybe I just wanted my parents to believe me. To think that I’d never do something like that. Instead, they just assume I’ve turned into some spoiled brat because they were never around.”

“It’s okay,” he murmurs, gently pulling me against his chest.

This time, I don’t fight it. I just… let go. His hand moves in slow, calming circles against my back, and that alone is enough to make the tears fall freely.

“After all these months,” I whisper, my voice breaking, “nothing could bring them home. But the moment something goes wrong, they’re already at the airport.”

He threads his fingers through my hair, his voice quiet but steady. “Maybe they trust you, Cat. Maybe they think you’re strong enough to handle yourself. You’re a good person. Alice told me what you did for her—you helped her when no one else did.”

“It wasn’t me,” I mumble into his shirt. “It was my parents’ connections.”

“No,” he says softly, “it was you. You saved her from a breakdown.”

I don’t reply. I just let the silence sink in. The rhythm of his breathing, the faint vanilla scent of his body spray—it’s grounding. Safe.

I don’t know how long we stay like that, but my thoughts keep spinning: about the past, about Jennifer, about how anyone could stab themselves just to frame another person. Does she hate me that much? Or is she really that desperate for attention, for power?

That’s not ambition—that’s insanity.

My eyelids grow heavy. Slowly, I let myself sink deeper into Dominic’s warmth, into the steady rise and fall of his chest, and finally—finally—sleep takes me.

I wake up to the sound of loud banging on the door. My head jerks up, and Dominic helps me sit.

“That must be my parents,” I mutter, rubbing my eyes. “Time to get scolded.”

“It’ll be okay,” Dominic says gently, rubbing the back of my hand.

The doorbell rings again, longer this time. I take a deep breath and pull the door open.

“Hi, Mom. Hi, Dad,” I say, trying to smile.

Mom barely pauses before pushing past me, her heels clicking against the floor. Dad follows behind, dragging their suitcases with a deep sigh.

“Miss Catherine Young,” Mom begins, hands on hips, “what did I tell you about bringing boys home?” Her eyes land on Dominic, and suddenly her expression melts. “But—oh my—this boy is cute. Hello, honey!”

Before I can stop her, she’s already wrapping her arms around Dominic like he’s some celebrity guest.

“Mom!” I groan.

“This isn’t your boyfriend, is it? Catherine, don’t tell me you’re double-timing. Jesus Christ, why would you—”

“Mom, leave him alone,” I cut in, my voice strained. “Asher and I broke up, and, newsflash, I’m being accused of stabbing his new girlfriend.”

Her eyes go wide as she spins toward Dad. “Did you hear that? I told you Catherine would never do something like that! Look at her—moving on with another cute boy already. I raised her better than stabbing her ex’s new girlfriend.”

Dad exhales heavily. “We need to go and see this girl. Although…” He gives me a look that makes my stomach twist. “I still don’t believe Catherine didn’t stab her. And who’s this kid?”

“This is Dominic,” I say quickly. “Alice’s brother.”

“Ohhh,” Mom says, blinking. “Not your boyfriend.”

“No,” I answer too fast.

“Really?” she teases, her eyes twinkling as she studies Dominic. “I didn’t know Alice had such a handsome brother. So tell me, son—are you one of those brainy types, or one of the rude soccer boys she hangs out with?”

“Mom!” I protest, practically dragging her away from him. “You should go and freshen up.”

She smirks at me but lets me pull her up the stairs

That’s my mom—unforgiving and unforgettable. Once, during a game, one of Asher’s friends called her “hot” over FaceTime. She demanded an apology for weeks. But honestly? Who could blame him? With her straight hair, glossy lips, and baby lashes, she could easily pass for my sister.

Finally stopping in front of their room, I push the door open and lead them in. Surprisingly, the place isn’t as dusty as I expected—no one ever really comes in here.

Dad sets the luggage down with a thud. “I think we should just head to the hospital and check on this girl so that—”

Mom collapses backward onto the bed with a groan. “My daughter said she didn’t stab that girl, remember? So there’s no need to rush over.”

Dad crosses his arms. “So you’re actually believing Catherine over the school?”

Mom lifts her head, her eyes flicking to me. I manage a small, uncertain smile.

“The school obviously got the story wrong,” she says firmly. “My daughter isn’t lying. I know her, and she’s not that type. Whoever that girl is, she’s framing you, sweetheart—and I’m going to get my A-game on before going there. Okay, babe?”

Dad frowns. “And by A-game, don’t tell me you mean redoing your hair and makeup.”

“Obviously,” Mom says with a wink.

I can’t help but smile, but Dad just shakes his head, opens the door, and storms out.

“He’s mad,” I say quietly.

Mom sighs, rolling onto her side with a playful grin. “I love it when your dad’s mad. He barely talks otherwise.” She pats the bed beside her. “Come on, tell me everything about this girl who’s giving you such a hard time.”

And just like that, I’m blabbering about everything that’s been happening over the past month while Mom washes her face and redoes her makeup. From how Asher broke up with me to be with Jennifer, to how I ended up sleeping with Alice’s brother, to fake-dating him just so I wouldn’t lose Alice. I even tell her about how Jennifer might steal my coverage again—and that she’s actually the vice principal’s niece.

“Oh my God, your life is so dramatic, Catherine,” she gushes, brushing mascara onto her lashes. I really missed this—missed her. My mom’s the kind of woman who can turn even a breakdown into gossip hour.

“No wonder the school believes you stabbed her,” she says. “Is your dad close? I want to use the b word.”

I laugh. “Of course, Mom.”

“That girl is a bitch!” she bursts out. “Breaking up with you doesn’t mean he dumped your ass. No one dumps my daughter! And wait—did you say you slept with that boy? Do you like him?”

The question hits me like cold water. Thinking of Dominic, I can’t deny there’s something there—we connect—but it’s not a big deal. “I don’t like him. He’s just Alice’s younger brother, which basically makes him my brother, right? And besides, he’s not my type. He’s younger, a total nerd, people will talk if we hang out, and I don’t even think he likes me that way, and—”

“Calm down, Catherine.” Mom laughs softly. “Are you convincing me or yourself? It’s okay not to have all the answers right now. Besides, I didn’t fall in love with your father at first sight either—”

The door swings open.

Dad walks in with two plates of pasta, cutting her off. “You did love me at first sight. You were just too proud to admit it.”

Mom arches a brow. “Since when do you know how to cook?”

He grins, handing her a plate. “Catherine’s friend is amazing. Makes me feel terrible, actually.”

Mom takes a whiff. “This smells good. That boy cooked this?”

Dad nods. “Swear down. I like that kid. Super intelligent, polite. What did you say to him that made him run off in a hurry, anyway?”

I freeze. “What? I didn’t even see him.”

“I told him to bring the food upstairs while I grabbed my phone, and he just bolted as I was coming up.”

My heart stops. Oh no.

“Shit, he heard that.” I jump off the bed and sprint out the door. I didn’t mean it that way.