Chapter 5 5

5

Amber

On my last day in New York, a deep sadness settled in my chest.

Packing my suitcase felt like touching each memory one last time, reliving every moment with every item I folded.

The thought of leaving those memories behind in this city-this place I had called home for years-was almost unbearable.

I never thought it would be this hard to say goodbye.

*

Two days later, I graduated.

I didn't even attend the graduation ball.

I couldn't deal with the awkward questions from my classmates.

I booked a direct ticket to Lubbock and left.

After landing and grabbing my luggage, I looked around as I stepped out into the street. My phone had conveniently died.

Just as I was about to catch a shuttle, I saw my father across the road-waiting for me with my grandfather's beat-up car.

I couldn't even remember the last time I had been to Lubbock.

Before high school, we used to come down during the holidays.

But once high school started, with the added pressure of tutors and study schedules, my dad began making the trips alone.

Now, starting over in this small, unfamiliar town felt... terrifying.

⸻

Two Days Later

"Dad, can we talk for a minute?"

He was smoking on the balcony. "Come on," he said.

"I'm going in for an internship interview tomorrow. But you know internships don't really pay. Maybe I should look for another job instead. If the salary's good, I can help with the household expenses."

"There's no need, sweetheart. I'll fix things, I promise. Just let this case get resolved... Until then, we can manage with your grandfather's support."

We both knew it would take a miracle to fix anything.

If my father truly believed in a way out, we wouldn't have packed up our lives and ended up here.

"Grandpa's pension won't be enough for all of us. I want to help the family."

I knew if I didn't insist, he'd never let me take some random job.

It was the second time I had ever gone against my father.

The first was when he announced he wanted to marry again-just months after Mom passed. It broke me.

I had stood firmly against his decision to marry Grace. I failed then... but I wasn't a child anymore.

Even if I couldn't convince him this time, I was determined to work.

"When I fix the company, you'll work by my side. That's final."

"Please, Dad. Just let me work until things settle."

"No, Amber. I won't let Morgan Chapman's daughter take just any job."

"Fine, I'll go to the interview tomorrow. Hopefully, they'll offer a salary."

"Don't worry about that. If it comes to it, I'll go sell lemons on the street to provide for this family.

You just focus on what's best for yourself.

And don't bring shame on our name.

Lubbock's a small place-don't give people anything to talk about. Don't make me hang my head in shame."

His protectiveness wasn't new.

Maybe that's why I had always kept Lucas at arm's length too.

Maybe it all started with the way my father had taught me to guard the family name-above all else.

Amber

"I won't let you down, Dad," was all I said.

"At least if you're doing something in your own field, I'll have some peace of mind. Still, I don't like the idea of you working under someone-even if it's just an internship."

"I know, Dad. But I want to stand on my own two feet. Please don't hold it against me.

Even if we hadn't gone bankrupt, I've always dreamed of becoming a divorce attorney. This isn't about money. So please, don't feel guilty."

"You'll see soon enough that the working world isn't as easy as it looks. You'll quit within a month.

I raised you and your brother through hardship, but you've never really known what that means. Sure, money earned with sweat and effort is valuable-but I spoiled you both. That's the truth.

And that's why, sweetheart, I don't think you'll be able to do it. You're not going to handle taking orders from someone else."

It was the first time my father had opened up so honestly about something this serious.

His words were harsh-but they weren't wrong.

So I looked him in the eyes and said,

"You're right, Dad. But I've grown up. The day Mom passed away, my life as a pampered princess ended. I'm not as weak as you think.

I want to become a successful attorney. And if that means being bossed around, disrespected, even stepped on-I'll take it. Just believe in me.

And please... for Mom's memory, stay by my side."

"Alright then, Miss Amber Chapman, if you're going to become a great lawyer and tell me all about every case you win for the rest of your life... I'll allow you to work as an intern under someone else."

"I promise. You'll be the first person I tell about every case I win. Thank you, Dad."

I wrapped my arms around him and breathed in his scent.

Maybe for the first time in years, we were truly hugging.

Ever since he married Grace before my mother's mourning period had even passed, our bond had fractured.

Let's say my father genuinely loved Grace-what about her?

Did she really love a man old enough to be her father?

Then again, she didn't leave when the bankruptcy hit... maybe she did love him.

I walked into my room and looked at the card in my hand again.

I hoped Lucas's uncle was as kind as Lucas.

He was probably around my dad's age-strict and serious like most Lubbock men tend to be.

I guess I'd find out tomorrow...