Bella's POV
I didn't want to go.
Not just in the way people say it when they're being dramatic. I truly didn't want to go.
And yet there I was—standing in the middle of our half-empty living room, watching my life disappear into boxes. Everything felt like it was being erased. My friends, my college, my sense of control. All packed and sealed and loaded into a truck headed for New York.
"I don't want to go," I said again, louder this time.
My dad didn't even look at me. Just kept wrapping tape around one of the boxes like it was more important than my entire existence. "We've been through this, Bella."
"No, you went through it. I wasn't part of the decision. You didn't ask me if I wanted to leave everything behind."
He finally stood to face me,wiping his hands on his jeans, his expression blank. "This isn't a debate. It's happening. If you want to complain, go talk to your mother."
I stared at him for a second, hoping he'd crack—give me something. An inch of sympathy.
Nothing.
So I stormed into the kitchen, where Mom was sealing up the last of the dishes. The smell of cardboard and dust clung to the air.
"Mom,please. Don't do this.I don't want to leave Washington. I love my college, my friends. Everything here
I really don't want to move. I don't want to attend that dumb college "King's High". It's for rich brats and you know how much i hate rich kids, their too soft and bossy.
She didn't even turn around. "Bella…"
"No. Don't give me the whole 'this is for your own good' speech again. I love it here. I love my college. My friends. I don't want to live in New York."
She sighed and finally turned to face me, eyes soft but tired. "Your father and I are trying, Bella. We're doing this for you. The dumb college ollege in New York—it's one of the best in the country.
Mom,a college for the rich won't save me. Besides there's plenty of good colleges here at Washington. Like you know, my college..
Mom turned to me, eyes tired, lips tight "Don't make me go over this again. You know your grandpa left us his house at New York, We don't get to pay rent there.
But mom, I...
No buts bella, This is for your own good. We're giving you an opportunity we never had.The college in New York... it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
The ride to New York felt like a funeral procession,I sat at the backseat of the truck eith my headphones in, staring out the window with my blurry countryside. This is it,Am leaving everything behind for a dumb college for rich brats
-----
It was huge. Bigger than anything I expected. A red-brick monster wrapped in ivy, with windows like silent eyes watching me from the second floor.
I didn't want to admit it but the house was...gorgeous
My grandfather's house....now mine.Well, technically my parents' but still
I stepped inside slowly, like the walls might bite. I couldn't help the timy breath that escaped me."Wow"
The hallway was wide,the floors polished and creaky and everything smelled like old wood and something sweeter
"Maybe this won't be so bad," I murmured to myself.
"You like it"Dad said from behind me,his voice smug but warm.
I rolled my eyes,"It's alright, i guess"
He chuckled "I knew you would. Go ahead, pick your room. You get first choice."
"Really?" I squealed
He nodded "Ofcourse. You deserved it"
I turned and ran upstairs half expecting the walls to fall apart the second i liked something. I didn't notice when they left. They didn't say where they were going and, I didn't ask.... I should've
----
Mrs Allison's POV
The bank office smelled like cheap cologne and old coffee. The fluorescent lights made everything look worse—like a faded photo you can't quite throw away.
Josh and I sat stiffly across from a loan officer in a pressed gray suit.
"So," the banker said, flipping through papers, "this house on Ridgeview Avenue. You're using it as collateral?"
"Yes," Josh said. "It was my father's. It's all we have."
The banker glanced at them. "And you're requesting the loan to open… a laundry service?"
I nodded. "And a small café attached to it. I bake. He handles the machines. We've already scouted a location."
"It's a big risk," the banker said, tapping his pen against the desk. "You understand that if the loan is not repaid in full in amonth time, the bank can seize the house?"
Josh tightened his grip on the pen. "We understand."
"But…" the banker continued, "this is the only property in your name. Everything rides on this."
I looked at Josh, fear flickering in my eyes. "What if we can't—"
"We will," he interrupted, forcing calm into his voice. "We don't have a choice."
The banker passed the papers across the desk.
He signed. Then I did. My hand trembled.
"She doesn't know, does she?" the banker asked casually.
"Our daughter?" I said, folding my hands in my lap. "No. She thinks we're running errands."