He stood up abruptly, pulling her up with him thanks to the handcuffs, and pinned her against the wall. His grip on her wrist tightened.
Ni-ki leaned in closer, his voice a cold whisper. "You're playing with fire, angel. Don't think for a second tha...
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A WEEK LATER
"ARE YOU SURE ABOUT THIS, HONEY?" Her father's voice broke through her thoughts, pulling her back to the present.
A week had passed since that heated argument, a week filled with quiet, painful silence between Rhaine and Ni-ki. They had not talked since.
The flight to McGill, the one she had dreamed of for so long, was just hours away. But the deepness the decision pressed on her chest, heavier than anything she'd ever felt. The look in her father's eyes was concerned, hesitant, and it made her question everything once again.
She didn't know how to answer him, not completely.
Her parents knew about what happened with Ni-ki, and they couldn't help but feel for the guy, somehow.
The past week had been filled with moments of second-guessing, flashes of the life she was leaving behind in favor of the life she thought she wanted. But there was still a nagging voice in her head, one that reminded her of what she was running from.
"I'm sure," she finally said.
Her mother stood next to her father, arms crossed, her usual stern expression softened by a touch of worry. Rhaine had expected this question, but hearing it out loud made her heart race.
Her father studied her before he sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. "You're grown now. I want you to be happy. I want you to choose what's best for you, not what's easiest."
"I know, Dad." Her voice softened, her eyes landing on the floor.
Her mother then placed a hand on her shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. "You don't have to do this if you don't want to. It's not too late."
Rhaine's throat tightened. She was giving her an out, but it wasn't that simple.
"I have to go. It's too late for me to back out," she said, her voice steady now, even if her heart wasn't.
"We're proud of you," her father added. "But don't make this decision out of fear. You're strong, and you've always known how to make your own way in the world. Just don't forget—sometimes, it's okay to put someone else first."
Rhaine stiffened slightly, the words striking her deeper than she expected. "What do you mean?"
Her father's gaze softened, and he gave her a knowing look. "You've always been so independent, Rhaine. So determined to do everything on your own. But sometimes, you don't have to carry the weight of everything alone. Sometimes, you just need someone by your side to help you carry it. Don't run away from love because you think you can do it all by yourself."
Was that what she had been doing all along? Running away from Ni-ki and the connection they had, thinking that she could go off to McGill and handle everything alone?
"I'm not running away." It was if she was trying to convince herself. "I just need to find my own way."
Her mother gave her a sympathetic smile, squeezing her shoulder. "You don't have to do that, honey. But if you do, we'll be here for you—no matter what."
