Episode: 04

My mother came home blaming me for not being able to keep a man. And before you ask no, my family did not know that at that time I was still a virgin. It was none of their business. The only people that knew were Claire and Jared. Besides, I wasn't waiting for marriage, just someone I was in love with.

I was honestly so relieved to not be engaged anymore that I felt like she did me a favor. That weekend, Claire came back to town, and we went out clubbing. My mom had let it slip that she was off all weekend and planned to use the time to "Fix Me". Like I was somehow the problem. I honestly did not understand how I was a problem when I wasn't running after Jared in any way or plotting revenge. I could honestly care less about them.

Therefore, on Sunday evening after dropping Claire off at the airport, I went home to find Keisha and my family there demanding to talk. I wasn't sure what that had to do with me anymore, but I sat and listened. As they spoke, I thought about my weekend with

Claire and I. We ended up in NYC clubbing all weekend long. I had so much fun with my best friend and I missed her so much.

Claire lives in Los Angeles now that she has graduated and is running her uncle's restaurant.

When I did bother to pay attention to their conversation, I heard two very interesting things. One that Keisha and Jared had a itching powder prank played on them by his frat brothers, but none of them were owning up to it, yet. Secondly, they threatened to put me out of my parents' home and ban me from seeing my father, Donald Harris, and caring for him if I didn't agree to convince Jared's family that Keisha was a good person and that I had given them their blessings to enter into a relationship together.

I refused and told them I wouldn't rewrite history for them. Actions had consequences, period. My family didn't like my refusal.

My mother informed me, she planned to host a family dinner party this Friday evening and planned to invite Jared's family to clear the air. I was ordered to attend to fix everything or my stuff needed to be gone by Friday morning. Because I would no longer be considered family if I didn't go long with the plan to support the expectant mother- to- be Keisha Yvonne Harris.

I simply said," Fine!"

I refuse to argue further with them. I was the outsider for some reason and I knew it was pointless to try to argue my point. They would never see it my way or acknowledge any wrongdoing on any of their sides.

Therefore, I went to bed and the next morning I got up for work. I quickly took care of my father and got dressed and ate breakfast.

As I was preparing my lunch for work, my mother, Mary, walked into the kitchen and started fixing herself some coffee. "Come home straight from work. I want you to show me, your sister, Tiffany, and your aunt and uncle. Your father's daily routine and how to properly care for his wounds and how to properly give him his medication.

"Okay!" I replied and grabbed my stuff and left the house.

A few minutes later, as I pulled into the employee parking lot of the elementary school that I work at, I noticed a white Bentley sitting in the almost empty parking lot. The Bentley looked completely out of place.

As I exited, my car and walked towards the side entrance of the building. I noticed that someone had exited out of the Bentley as well.

"Ivanka Marie Harris, may I have a quick moment of your time, please."

I looked over to see Jared's mother along with her personal driver, Fritz. "Good morning, Miss Helena! How can I help you today?"

"I need answers. A short time ago, you stood in my living room and told my family to never give your family any money. No matter what reason they came up with. That they weren't to be trusted. You listed examples along with court documents. Now, I hear that you have given my son to your cousin with your blessings and will even be attending their wedding to support them. Do you take back everything you said about them and agree that people can change? Is this true? What is going on?" probed his mother, Mrs. Brooks looking concerned and puzzled.

"I stand by everything I said in your living room that day. They will bleed your family dry. They are horrible people. I tried to warn you and your family, especially Jared, but he fell for her manipulation. My best advice is to get him an iron-clad prenup and make sure he gets full custody of that baby or that baby will be the financial ruin of your family. They don't have my blessings and I will not be attending their wedding. Jared and I are no longer friends. He got me cooking and cleaning for him while he was running around with my awful cousin. I hope his dick falls off." I answered.

"I understand. So you will not be at dinner on Friday night to make peace?" asked Mrs. Brooks.

"Absolutely not. If you are referring to the dinner, I was ordered to attend to exonerate Keisha Yvonne Harris of any wrongdoing. Or else I would be kicked out of my family home and banished from seeing or caring for my ailing father." I revealed.

"No! They didn't!" Mrs. Brooks shouted.

"Yes! They did! Don't worry about me. I will make some phone calls and find a new place to live. Meanwhile, I would get a blood test and STD tests done on the lovely new couple and stop worrying about me. I don't want revenge. I don't care that they are together. I was just hurt because I thought we were better friends than this, and he would have at least broken up with me first or had the decency to tell me instead of letting me stumble upon the knowledge." I declared firmly.

"I am sorry about my son. I will deal with him and her. Thank you for your honesty and if it means anything. I always liked you." responded his mother, Mrs. Brooks.

"Thank you. Take care of yourself." I replied, rushing into the building, so I would not be late for work.