[Hotel Room – Night]
Buzz. Buzz.
Adeline's phone buzzed on the nightstand. She looked at the screen.
Dad.
She sighed and answered.
"Hello?"
"What the hell do you think you're doing?"
Adeline glared at the wall. "Nice to hear from you too."
"Don't get smart with me. This whole act—leaving home, embarrassing the family, ignoring your sister—"
"I didn't know getting cheated on and kicked out was an 'act.'"
"You've always been dramatic."
She blinked. "You hit me and kicked me out. For Hazel."
"You did provoke her. And now you're what? Hightailing it, trying to act like some victim?"
"I'm not acting anything out. I'm starting over."
"With what? A job? You think you'll get by on that? You'll wind up on the street."
"I'd rather be homeless than at your house."
"You're just being rude."
"No," she said in a quiet way. "I'm awake."
A beat of silence.
"Come home, Adeline. Cease this foolishness before you destroy what little remains of it."
She chuckled softly. "I have more now than I had with you."
And then she hung up.
Blocked the number.
Placed the phone down.
And at last… breathed.