As Fate Would Have It | ✓

chapter fourteen

Song for the chapter: Tenerife Sea, by Ed Sheeran

"Maddison!" I hear being screamed from down the hall.

I sit up, on high alert as I jump from the bed. I squint at the bright lights I turn on as I half-run down the hall.

"Maddison," my father called, groaning.

I ran into his room and saw him hugging his stomach, on the floor.

"Dad?"

He grunted. "I don't feel so good."

"What's wrong?" I walk closer, but he scrambles on his knees and hugs the toilet, throwing up.

I wrinkle my nose as I look the other way.

"I think somethin' went down wrong." He groans as he wipes his mouth and leans on the toilet.

"Okay, ew," I walk in. "Don't do that, so unsanitary." I grabbed him and had him lean against the tub. "What happened tonight?"

He shrugged. "I think I ate something bad," he burps, making me curl my lip in disgust. "Where's the stomach medicine?"

I sigh. "Why don't you shower, cause you stink. I'll get you some of that and some water."

He only weakly nods as I walk out of the bathroom. I inhaled as I went down the stairs and to the kitchen. I filled a glass of ice and water, then rummaged through the cabinets for some stomach meds. When I found it, I grabbed it and looked at the time—4:19. Of course.

I roll my eyes as I walk back up the stairs and hear the water shutting off. I set the cup on a coaster beside the bed and set the bottle down next to it. I was gonna leave, but I just had a feeling to wait.

When he opened the door a few minutes later, he almost fell forward. I lunged forward and steadied him, helping him walk to the bed.

We both knew how awkward this was, especially after our last fight.

I helped him get ahold of his bed and he climbed in, blinking heavy.

"When did the roles become reversed?"

"What?"

"I'm supposed to take care of you."

As his eyes shut, he immediately passed out. He didn't even take the medicine, nice. I just stared at him, frown etched on my lips.

He's right; he should be taking care of me. And yet, here we are. Where we have been for almost seven years.

I shake my head as I walk towards the door and turn off the light. I slowly walk to my room and lie back in bed, but it's no use—I couldn't fall back asleep.

After about an hour or so of tossing and turning, I just got up and opened my laptop. I waited for it to boot up and started doing research.

I researched who would be the best family lawyer in Bozeman, what a custody trial would look like so I knew what to expect, how much it'd cost. My brain was on overload as I switched to real estate and tried to see if there was any places I'd be able to afford on my own. While there was a few apartments, I was angered. It wasn't good enough.

My phone vibrating is what finally tore my attention away from the computer screen. I rubbed my eyes and reached for it.

Unknown: Are you awake?

Maddi: Who tf is this?

Unknown: I'm in your closet....
Actually, just across the street. It's Ryker.