Page 88 of Through the Storm

“I’ll do whatever it takes. You’ll never want for anything, I swear.”

Katy looks up at me then, eyes glassy.

“Ben…”

“I’m serious.”

There’s a beat.

“I know you mean that,” Declan starts.

I turn toward him, jaw tight.

“But she’s not desperate,” he continues. “She has access tomytrust.”

“Declan,” Katy snaps.

“I’m not offering strings,” he says quickly. “There will be no lectures, no conditions. I’ll cover your tuition, your rent. Whatever you need.”

“She doesn’t need…” I start.

Declan cuts me a look. “Relax. I’m not competing with you.” His gaze shifts back to Katy. Then to me again. “I just want to make sure there’s a backup plan,” he says evenly. “Since there’s a child involved.”

I go still.

“Especially,” he adds, voice sharpening, “given your history of disappearing.”

The words land exactly where they’re meant to.

“We talked about that.”

“We did,” he agrees. “And we’re cool.” He pauses. “But that doesn’t erase what happened.”

Katy pushes her chair back abruptly. “Stop,” she says. Her voice cracks. “Please. Both of you.” She stands, pressing a hand to her face. When she drops it, tears streak down her cheeks. Pure hurt. “I don’t need either of you acting like this.” Her voice shakes. “I don’t need to be fought over like I’m fragile. And I don’t need money.”

Declan’s expression softens immediately.

Mine fractures.

“I’m not crying because of the money,” she continues. “I’m crying because my parents are trying to hurt me. On purpose.”

That’s the sentence that breaks the room.

“They kicked me out,” she whispers. “They skipped my baby shower. And now they’re using paperwork to remind me I’m disposable if I don’t behave.”

Declan swears under his breath.

I take a step toward her, then stop myself.

“I might need help with tuition,” she adds, wiping her cheeks. “If I decide to go back to school. So yeah, Declan, I might take you up on that.”

He nods immediately. “Anytime.”

“But otherwise.” She draws a shaky breath. “I’m okay.”

I frown. “What do you mean, you’re okay?”

She hesitates for a second. “I have royalties.”