I woke with a start, sitting up and gasping for air. There was nothing but silence, and Jay's bed was still empty beside me.

I threw his throw blanket off of me, and stood up slowly, my body aching from the night before. I made my way to his bathroom, and turned on the shower.

I couldn't help but scan my body in the mirror, stripping out of my clothes. Of course my face was bruised, and underneath one of my eyes had a bruise as well.

I examined my back, and arms, and I just closed my eyes and hopped in the water. Of course I just looked terrible, like I was in some sort of domestic relationship. After I showered, I threw on one of Jay's button up shirts, then snuggled back up on the bed.

I guess it's a perfect time to look at my phone, I have been avoiding turning it on all morning. Of course there were a ton of missed calls and texts from my father.

'Can we meet and talk?'

That's what his most recent text said. I sucked up the urge to break my phone and never talk to them again, and texted him back with a place of my choice.

I walked into the cafe, wearing nothing but tennis shoes and Jay's shirt. I must've looked like a mess. I grabbed a pair of his sunglasses to hide the bruises on my face.

I spotted my father in a booth in the back, then made my way towards him. I flopped down in the booth across from him, staring down at my hands. "Well, hello there," he sighed, taking off his reading glasses.

"Hi." I said softly. "You wanted to meet?" I asked, looking up at him finally.

"Can I look at you?" He asked, and I sighed, taking my glasses off slowly. "Good." He said, leaning back. "What is it that you want to do with your life, Charlotte?" He asked suddenly, and I stared, caught off guard by his question.

"I want to do my art." I said suddenly without thinking.

"And then what?" He asked, holding his hands out. "The world doesn't have room for more creators, Charlotte. Yeah, you have money, but the money would go towards supporting your so-called art. When will you be making any of it back?" He raised a questioning brow, and I suddenly realized where this was going.

"I'll work. I'll figure it out!" I said, defending my own honor.

He all but laughed at me, shaking his tired head. "You'll figure it out, huh?" He asked, and I nodded. "And you think that's what you'll be doing with my money?" He asked.

"No, I-" I shook my head profusely, looking down in shame. He made me feel so small, and unprepared.

"Why do you think your mother and I do this?" He asked. "We are not your enemies. We're trying to teach you how to be smart and successful; like us, so that you can continue our legacy and hopefully pass it down to your children. That's how generational wealth is continued."

"But I have dreams too." I said, sounding like a desperate child.

"Dreaming will get you nowhere. Everything is already planned out for you. We made it so you would never have to "figure it out". Won't you just come back home, and we'll work things out with your mother together." I blinked in shock, not sure what to do.

He was offering me a do over. He was offering me a clean slate to do what they wanted. Without thinking, I watched him stand to his feet and quickly followed after him. "My car?" I asked, and he waved me along.

"I'll send for it." He said simply, leading me out of the cafe.

"Will I lose my driving privileges?" I asked, and he shook his head.

"We'll have to work out new terms now. Your mother is not happy."

~*~

When we arrived back at the mansion, I dreaded even getting in the car with him. I followed him back inside where the air was thick with tension. I avoided looking at anyone, and headed straight for my room.

"We'll talk when your mother gets home in the morning, she went to the spa." My dad called after me. Of course! I get my ass beat and she's the one that needs a spa day? I can't believe this! How did I get talked into coming back here?

~*~

When nightfall came, I had made up my mind. I grabbed a duffle bag and waited until both my parents were out of the house. My mother didn't want to talk yet, so she stayed at the spa, and dad had to be paged to the hospital. It was the perfect escape.

There were a few knocks on my door before it opened slowly, "Charlotte," Salem's voice called. "Are you okay?" Her eyes widened when she saw me packing, and I looked guilty with a hand full of clothes in my hand. "You're leaving?" She asked, and I nodded, continuing to stuff my bag.

"I have to go." I told her, zipping up the duffle bag. She came and stood next to me, helping me close my bag. "I'll miss you, but I can't stay here and have my life lived for me." I said, and nodded with a look of understanding.

"I was wondering when this day would come," she smiled. "I knew we're strong. I knew you wouldn't stay." She told me, and I hugged her tightly.

I opened up my bedroom window, throwing the bag down first. "Goodbye." I said softly, climbing out of my window and onto the ledge. I didn't care what it took anymore, I had to be free. I don't know what the plan is with Jay and I, but I knew that I didn't want whatever plan my parents had in store.