My dad saw me limping down the street with my baby and groceries and asked, “Where’s your car?” When I whispered, “His mom took it… said I’m lucky they let me stay,” Dad didn’t argue. He opened the door and said, “Get in. We’re fixing this tonight

not pushing. “Lauren,” he said gently, “go.”

Derek rubbed his face. “This is insane. Nobody’s keeping you here. But you can’t just leave with Evan because you had a bad day.”

I stared at him. “A bad day?” I repeated, voice thin. “Derek, I limped half a mile in 98-degree heat because your mom took the only car. That isn’t a bad day. That’s a warning.”

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