One Night - Forbidden Hearts Series Book 1

29. Overwhelmed

My hands were shaking as I hung up the phone after talking to Ryan. I was so livid right now at what my mother had done, I couldn't think clearly, hell I couldn't even breathe.

I was already upset with Jackson when I kicked him out. Then I received a phone call from the school where I teach. A phone call where they were wondering why they received the letter of resignation from me.

When I explained to them that I had no idea what they were talking about, and I had no intention of resigning, that's when it hit me. This had to be the work of my mother.

I explained to the school that this was a misunderstanding and I told them I would come in first thing Monday morning to discuss it with them. And then I called Ryan.

I was so upset I couldn't think of anyone else to call in that moment. My first instinct was Jackson, but I couldn't deal with him right now. Ryan was the only other person besides Lanie that I could talk to. And since Ryan was the other half of this arranged marriage, I was hoping maybe he can help me.

I told him I needed a little bit of time to process everything and calm down before I met up with him later. Of course, he understood and agreed to help any way he could. Now, I had to deal with my mother.

I knew I should probably wait until I calmed down to call her, but fuck it. I dialed her number anyways.

"Hello?" She answered curtly. She knew why I was calling and I was surprised that she even answered.

"Why did you do it?" I asked sharply.

"Do what, Harper? You need to be more specific."

Was she fucking serious? "I know you sent a letter of resignation in my name to my school. Why did you do that? What gives you the right to do something like that to me?"

"I did what needed to be done, Harper. You agreed to this marriage. That means you agree to everything that comes with it."

She really had lost her mind. I told you I wasn't going to quit my job. I told you that I wasn't going to work for Ryan's father. What part of that didn't you understand? I already agreed to this stupid marriage for your benefit. For Dad's benefit."

She let out a sarcastic sigh on the other end of the line before she said, "Don't act like you're not getting anything out of this, Harper."

"What could I possibly be getting out of this? You are forcing me to quit my job and you're forcing me to spend my life with a man that I will never love."

"Please, Harper. Grow up. Love is for children. You're an adult. Start acting like it and accept your responsibility."

She was honestly pushing me to my breaking point and I knew I was going to say something I regretted soon. "I need to take responsibility? What the hell do you think I've been doing? I agreed to the arranged marriage and I had no intention of breaking it. Then you go and pull something like this? You didn't even have the guts to tell me about this. You just went and did it behind my back."

"Some things could not be left to chance. I didn't trust that you would do what needed to be done. So, I made sure it was handled."

I was clutching my cell phone so hard in my hand that I was surprised it didn't break. Who the hell did she think she was? It didn't matter what I said, there was no getting through to her.

"Goodbye, Mother." I hung up on her and then my anger got the best of me. I threw my phone against the wall and I watched it shatter.

I honestly couldn't believe that conversation just happened. I don't know who that woman was on the phone, but it wasn't my mother. I didn't care what she said and I didn't care what that stupid contract said. I was getting my job back one way or another.