We drove in tense silence, my mind racing through worst-case scenarios. Not because I thought Richard would physically harm Amanda—he wouldn’t. That would ruin his image. But image-driven people have other weapons.
Embarrassment.
Manipulation.
Guilt.
At the school, Richard stood in the office holding a shiny gift bag.
He turned when he saw me and immediately softened his face into something wounded.
“There you are,” he said, like he was relieved. “I came to make things right.”
I didn’t shake his hand. I didn’t step closer. I kept distance the way you keep distance from something that bites.
“You don’t show up here,” I said quietly.
Richard’s mouth tightened. “I’m her grandfather,” he said. “I have a right—”
“No,” Emily cut in beside me. Her voice was calm but sharp. “You don’t.”
Richard’s eyes flicked to Emily with that familiar resentment. He hated that she didn’t fear him. He hated that she didn’t play along.
He lifted the gift bag. “I brought her something nice,” he said, voice too loud, aware of the secretary listening. “I wanted to apologize for the misunderstanding.”
Misunderstanding.
I felt heat rise. “There was no misunderstanding,” I said. “You were clear. You said expensive gifts are for Lisa’s kids.”
Richard’s jaw tightened. “I was joking,” he insisted.
“You were humiliating her,” Emily said.
Richard’s eyes narrowed. “You,” he snapped at Emily, “have always turned Will against his family.”
Emily didn’t flinch. “No,” she said evenly. “You did that yourself.”
The principal cleared her throat and stepped closer, professional. “Mr. Parker,” she said, “I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”
Richard’s face flushed. “This is ridiculous,” he hissed. “I’m trying to give a child a gift.”
“No,” I said, voice flat. “You’re trying to reclaim access.”
Richard stared at me, then tried the oldest trick.
He turned his voice softer. “Will,” he said, “you’re being dramatic. You’re letting your wife poison you. Your mother is heartbroken. Your sister—”
“Stop,” I said.
The word came out sharper than I intended, but it worked. Richard paused.
“You don’t get to use Amanda as a stage,” I said. “Not at my house. Not at her school. Not anywhere.”
Richard’s mouth twisted. “So you’re going to keep her from me?” he demanded. “That’s abusive.”
The accusation made my stomach flip.
The principal’s eyes sharpened.
