Yours Completely (Reign 2)

I let out a deep breath and resisted the urge to jump up and down. Yes, I still had some classes to take, and more to write up on this thesis, but once it was approved, I could really take off with it.

“You should let Erica know. She was sorry to lose you as a student,” Mr. Walker said.

I snapped my attention to him. “What?”

“You know.” He waved the half-eaten bagel around. “With family obligations and whatnot, I know she was sad to have to lose you.”

I didn’t think Erica would have said anything overly negative. In fact, the school likely wouldn’t have to know of the conflict of interest with her engagement to my step-brother, but I didn’t know she’d said anything to Mr. Walker about me or the situation.

“I was sorry to lose her too. Not to say working with you hasn’t been great.”

“Of course. All the students like me. I always have jellybeans,” he said with so much pride and opened his first desk drawer. “Hmmm.” Then he opened his second desk drawer. “They’re around here somewhere,” he mumbled.

“That’s okay, Mr. Walker, I’ll get some jellybeans next time.”

“Okay then. Well, if you want me to pass on the good news of going to the board to Erica, I certainly can next time I see her.”

“Is she not around as much?” I asked.

“She’s been trying to cut back a little to have more time with her daughter.”

“Wait,” I said quickly. “She has a daughter?”

He nodded. “Yeah, she’s going through a rough time at school, I believe, and she’s been needing her mom more lately, it sounds like.”

“How old is she?” I asked with horror in my voice.

“Twelve or thirteen, I think. She just mentioned in the faculty room about going to a parent teacher conference soon. I don’t know how she juggles it all.”

My stomach bottomed out. If Erica wanted me to stay away from her and Brock, that was one thing. But she had a daughter that was the same age I’d been when Brock violated me. No, no way. Fuck school, or Brock’s threats, or any of it. That little girl couldn’t be under the same roof as him.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Walker, but do you mind if I pack up a bit early? I want to try to catch Erica.”

“Of course,” he glanced at his watch. “She usually leaves about now, so you may want to hurry.”

I nodded, grabbed my bag, and hustled to her office. She wasn’t there. So I ran to the parking lot outside her building and caught a glimpse of her walking in the distance. Thank goodness it was still light out, otherwise, I don’t think I would have spotted her.

“Erica!” I called, and she stopped and turned. I ran and wove through the parked cars until I reached her.

“Lana,” she said tightly, though there was a look of sadness in her eyes.

“Listen, I know what you said about not wanting to hear my side about Brock, but you have to. You have a daughter. She’s the same age I was when he raped me, and I don’t care if you kick me out of school or tell the dean or any of it. You have to know. She’s not safe under the same roof with him. Please, please, just listen to me an

d believe me—”

“Why?”

“Because you’re a mother who I believe would do anything to protect her daughter,” I said. “A few weeks ago, I wouldn’t have been so certain that parents would do that, but now I know just how deep a parent’s love can go. How deep it should go.”

I’d seen it with Bea. How she cared so much about Cal and Jack. How every day, in every decision they made, she worried for them. Loved them. Supported them.

Indecision played across Erica’s face.

“Even if I am lying, don’t you think your daughter is worth figuring out the truth?”

“Yes,” she whispered.

I stopped mid-rant. “Yes?”