Chapter 26

DIANA

Iwas sitting at home, idly flipping through a magazine, when my phone rang, breaking the peaceful silence of the afternoon. I glanced at the caller ID and saw Hudson's name flashing on the screen. My heart skipped a beat at the sight of it. I was anxious for him to come over. I wanted to show him my new car since the insurance totaled my other one.

It wasn't exactly as cool as a Ferrari, but it was a new Nissan Maxima. It was a little out of my budget, but I had gotten a great deal, and I could rely on it to take me anywhere. I was looking forward to getting outside the Cold Springs town limits. With a new car, I knew I didn't have to worry about breaking down far from home.

"Hey, Hudson," I greeted him warmly, trying to mask the excitement in my voice. "What's up? Are you on your way over?"

"I don't know," he said.

"You don't know if you're on the way over?" I asked with confusion.

"No. I'm sitting in my car, but I'm going to go home."

"What's going on?" I asked.

"Diana, I need to talk to you," he said.

"Okay, come over."

"I can't. It's best if I don't."

I frowned, sensing that something was wrong. "What's going on?"

There was a brief pause on the other end of the line, as if he was gathering his thoughts before speaking. "I'm going to have to cancel our date this afternoon," he finally said, his words sending a wave of disappointment crashing over me.

"Why?" I asked.

Hudson took a deep breath. "I had a conversation with your father earlier today," he explained. "And well, let's just say it didn't go as planned."

What had my father said to him? And more importantly, what did it mean for us?

"Hudson, what happened?" I asked. "What did my father say?"

He hesitated for a moment, as if unsure how to tell me. "He asked me to stay away from you," he admitted reluctantly. "He doesn't think I'm good for you, Diana. And after our conversation, I'm starting to think he might be right. I don't want to cause trouble for you. It seems like there's nothing good that can come from us being together."

Frustration welled up inside me at his words. How dare my father try to dictate who I could and couldn't see? I was an adult, capable of making my own decisions, and I wasn't about to let anyone—including my own father—stand in the way of my happiness.

Especially after my father had given us his blessing.

"Hudson, listen to me," I said firmly, my voice leaving no room for argument. "I appreciate your concern. I really do. But I'm not going to let my father—or anyone else—tell me who I can and can't see. I know what I want, and I want you."

"Diana, I don't want to make trouble for you," Hudson protested weakly.

"Too late for that," I replied with anger making my ears burn. "I'll handle this, Hudson. Trust me."

"He asked that I not tell you about our conversation, but I didn't want to keep it from you."

"I'm glad you didn't," I said.

"Look, I'm just going to the house," he said. "I need to think about this. I want to see you and I like spending time with you, but I can't drag your good name through the mud."

"My good name will be just fine," I snapped. "Go home. I'll be there in a bit."

I hung up the phone with a mix of emotions swirling inside me. Anger at my father for trying to control my life, frustration at Hudson for even considering giving up on us, and determination to fight for what I wanted. I quickly grabbed my keys and headed out to my new car, gleaming in the sunlight. I wasn't about to let anyone stand in the way of what I wanted, especially not my father. I drove to the country club where I knew my father would be hanging out.

I stormed inside, my emotions swirling within me. Hudson's revelation about his conversation with my father had left me seething with anger and frustration. How dare he overstep his boundaries like that? My father had crossed the line. I let him get away with a lot of crap, but this was enough.

As I crossed the lobby and entered the lounge, I spotted my mother sitting with some of her friends, the epitome of grace and elegance in her tailored dress and cream shawl. She looked like the perfect politician's wife without a single hair out of place. Her gaze flickered up and landed on me. I could see the disapproval written all over her face as she took in my casual attire—jean shorts and a T-shirt, a far cry from the country club's standards of decorum. I saw the flash of horror and knew she was not happy to see me looking so casual.

She quickly approached me, gently grabbing my arm and trying to pull me away from everyone.

"What are you doing here, dressed like that?" she asked, her tone tinged with concern and disapproval. "You know there is a dress code."

I shook my head, unable to contain my frustration. My parents were so sweet at home but so tightly wound in public. "This can't wait, Mom," I replied tersely. "I need to speak to Dad. Now. I don't care what the dress code is."

Her expression softened slightly, but I could still see the hint of reluctance in her eyes. "Is this about Hudson?" she asked, her voice dropping to a hushed whisper.

Anger awoke inside me at the mention of Hudson. "Yes, Mom," I hissed. "The man you guys were totally cool with last night."

I clenched my fists, my resolve hardening. I was done letting them dictate my life. They played it cool last night and then turned around and stabbed me in the back today. Without waiting for a response, I stormed into the bar, where I found my father throwing darts with some of his friends. As soon as he saw me coming, he did a quick up and down of my outfit, his expression unreadable.

"How dare you?" I began, my voice trembling.

But before I could continue, he took my hand and guided me outside to speak privately. I followed him reluctantly, my heart pounding in my chest. I was furious but I didn't want to make a complete ass of myself. He would only dig his heels in harder if I challenged him in front of his precious constituents.

Once we were alone, I turned to face him, my anger still simmering beneath the surface. "How could you do this, Dad?" I demanded. "How could you tell Hudson to stay away from me?"

My father sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "Diana, you have to understand?—"

I cut him off, my emotions getting the better of me. "No, Dad, I don't understand," I insisted, my voice rising with each word. "You have no right to dictate who I can and can't see. I'm an adult, Dad. I can make my own decisions. I have let you control my life for too long. Maybe that's why you think this is okay. It's not. You don't even know the man!"

He looked at me, his expression filled with regret. "I know, sweetheart, and I'm sorry," he said softly. "But I only want what's best for you. Hudson is not the right guy for you, Diana. Trust me on this."

I shook my head, tears stinging my eyes. "You don't get to decide that, Dad," I replied. "You don't even know him. I can't believe you are being so judgmental!"

My father sighed heavily, his shoulders slumping in defeat. "I just don't want to see you get hurt, Diana," he admitted.

"I appreciate your concern, Dad," I said, not really buying the contriteness. "But I have to do what's right for me."

"Diana, you're young and you don't know what is right for you," he said.

My mouth dropped open with shock and disgust.

"You acted like you trusted me," I continued, my words coming out in a rush. "You told me what I wanted to hear, and then as soon as my back was turned, you went and meddled in my business?"

He sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "Diana, I was just trying to protect you," he insisted. "I only want what's best for you."

But his words only fueled my anger further. "That's bogus, Dad," I shot back. "You're not doing what's best for me, you're doing what's best for you. You're trying to control my life, and I won't stand for it. I'm not a child. You cannot pick my husband. I get to have my own life. I've let you influence who I date for far too long. No more!"

With that, I turned on my heel and stormed away, leaving my father standing alone. I could feel the tears stinging my eyes as I stormed through the club with a few people watching me go. I made my way to my car, my heart heavy with betrayal and frustration.

Just as I reached my car, my mother called out after me. "Diana, please," she pleaded. "Let's talk about this."

I shook my head, unable to face her at that moment. "I need to get out of here," I replied, choking up. "I can't stay here a moment longer. I'm so pissed. I might say something I regret. You guys lied to me. You guys made me think you were okay with me dating the man I chose to spend my time with."

"Your father and I love you," Mom said.

"Really?" I spat. "Then why are you actively trying to make me unhappy? Why won't you let me do what makes me happy? I'm not doing anything illegal or morally wrong. I went out with a good man. That's it. You guys are acting like I'm dating a serial killer just released from prison."

My mother looked at me with tears in her eyes. "Diana, we just want what's best for you. We're worried about your safety, about your happiness. Hudson may not be who he seems to be."

I clenched my fists in frustration, feeling the weight of their expectations crushing me. "You don't even know him," I reiterated, desperate. "You never gave him a chance. How can you judge someone you've never even met?"

"Just trust us on this one. We have your best interests at heart."

Her words fell on deaf ears as I climbed into my car and slammed the door shut. The engine roared to life as I peeled out of the parking lot, my mind a whirlwind of confusion and hurt. How could my own parents betray me like this? It wouldn't have been so bad if they were honest last night. They made me think they were okay with things. I let my guard down and my father attacked. Shame on him. Shame on them for lying right to my face.

I had to decide what was more important to me—my happiness or my parents' approval. Did they really expect me to let them run my life until they died? Then what? What happened to me, Abigail, and Jessie when my parents eventually passed away? Were we just going to be mindless, helpless adults that couldn't make a single decision on our own? We had to take control of our own lives. I was starting now.