Mr. Ex Knelt Before Me

s looking forward to a quiet night at home, but as she entered the living room, sh

and walking over to Tris. "I've been waiting up for

her grandmother's concern. "I jus

from Tris's bedroom. It was her father, Ed, an

said, opening his

e dodged his hug and took a step b

ere?" Tris demanded,

king around. "Oh, come on, kiddo. I just want

new that her father had ulterior

said, her voice firm.

d of me like that? I don't think so, kiddo. I know all about what you've been up to. I know all about

nger. "How did you know about Chri

ys, kiddo. Let's just say I've been keeping an ey

ul to keep her relationship with Chris a secret, especial

" Tris asked, trying to

lp you make the right decisions. And I'm not going to let you t

right to interfere in my life," she said, her voice

ks she knows what's best for her. But I'm here to tell you that you don't. And I'm goi

pretty terrible things, and she had a feeling that he was going to try to control her l

th fire, kiddo," he said, his voice low and serious. "Chris and his family... they're not what

her. What did her father know about Chris and h

for yourself and make your own decisions. But I will give y

ways trying to control her? "I can take care of myself, Dad," she

ck and live with me. I can protect you from all of th

Gwen. And I'm happy with Chris. We're planning a future

pression, spoke up. "Tris, maybe you should listen to your

grandmother taking her father's side? "You're supposed to b

just trying to help you, Tris. Maybe your f

didn't want to hear it. She was convinced that she knew what was bes

he couldn't believe that her grandmother was taking her fat

s pricking at the corners of her eyes. She was

shut behind her, locking it for good measure.

ace in her pillow. She felt like she was all a

Tris's phone buzzed with a text from

wards Chris. He was the one person who always underst

ack. "Just had a fight with Gwe

"Sorry to hear that. Want me

as she typed out a response to Chris's text. She wanted

up tonight," Tris typed, trying to sound casual. "

text filled with concern. "What

Chris. She had never told him about her complicated relationshi

ed, trying to brush it off. "I'll

ation, and they exchanged a few m

d and overwhelmed. His father's words had been echoing in his mi

ad always dreamed of working for. But even that didn't se

take care of her and make her happy. But how could he do t

, and he didn't know how to keep his head above water.

g cycle of debt and responsibility. He had always thought that getting a good job and making

o give her the world, to make her happy and secure. But how c

s train of thought. He looked dow

u that the bank is calling again. Y

couldn't his father just leave him alone? Didn'

father was right. He did need to pay off that loan, and fast. He just wishe

know what to do, or how to get out of this mess. All

contin