CHAPTER 13

(Ezra's POV)

The morning sun streamed through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room. I couldn't help but smile as I gazed at Emery, who lay beside me, still lost in dreams. His long eyelashes rested gently on his cheeks, and I marveled at how adorable he looked.

Checking the time and realizing it was late, I decided to go downstairs and prepare breakfast for both of us. Quietly slipping out of bed, I made my way to the kitchen.

Downstairs, I was greeted by the sight of my parents, Sally and Michael, working together to make breakfast. Their loving camaraderie always warmed my heart. With a grin, I greeted my dad with a cheerful "Good morning" and gave my mom a kiss on the cheek.

Looking at the dining table, I noticed that my mom had already prepared toast, eggs, and bacon, placing the last pieces of bacon on a plate. It was clear they were in a good mood today.

Emery, who had just woken up to an empty bed, soon made his way downstairs. Shyly, he entered the kitchen, a bit overwhelmed by the multiple voices. As he approached, my parents were just as surprised to see him as he was to see them.

After the initial shock wore off, they waved Emery over to join us at the table for breakfast. He shyly took the chair beside me, directly opposite my parents. With a gentle smile, he greeted them both with a soft "Good morning."

Seeing Emery's shyness, I took it upon myself to introduce him, knowing he might struggle to do so. "Mom, dad, I'd like to introduce you to Emery," I said, my heart swelling with affection.

My parents exchanged glances, their eyes filled with teasing smiles. They'd heard plenty about Emery, given that I couldn't stop talking about him. But despite the teasing, they were genuinely happy for me. With warm smiles, they welcomed Emery into our home.

We enjoyed breakfast together, sharing stories and laughter. Emery seemed to relax as the meal went on, and it warmed my heart to see him gradually open up to my parents.

After breakfast, we said our thank-yous and goodbyes to my parents, who wished us a wonderful day ahead. I drove Emery to his house, cherishing the time we had together. When we arrived at his house, we exchanged affectionate goodbyes, sealing them with kisses on the cheeks, forehead, and lips. Our lingering kiss on the lips was filled with tenderness and longing before we finally parted ways.

Saying our goodbyes, I drove away, leaving Emery with a giddy smile as he entered his house. Little did we know that the day would take an unexpected turn, changing the course of events in ways we couldn't foresee.

As I entered my house with a giddy smile from my time with Ezra, I had no inkling of the turmoil that awaited me. Turning around after closing the door, I found my dad sitting on his usual chair, facing the front door, an unsettling expression on his face. In his hand, he held a box that contained my savings.

Fear gripped me as my eyes locked onto that box. It held my hopes, my dreams, and the means for my future. I couldn't allow my dad to take it from me.

Without thinking, I rushed toward him, desperate to retrieve the box. The realization of what was happening overwhelmed me, but I couldn't let him take my savings.

Before I could react, my dad knocked me to the ground. Tears welled up in my eyes as I begged him to give it back. I felt helpless and trapped.

With anger in his eyes, he grabbed me by the neck, his words like knives cutting into my already fragile heart. Hurtful accusations and insults were hurled between us as I struggled to free myself from his grip.

The tension escalated, and I felt his grip tightening around my neck, making it hard to breathe. I pleaded with him to let go, the desperation in my voice growing.

As the confrontation with my dad escalated, the air in the room grew heavy with tension. I could feel his anger radiating from him like a searing heat, and I was trapped in its suffocating grip.

"Dad, please," I choked out, my voice trembling as I struggled to free myself from his grip. Tears welled up in my eyes, and my pleas for him to give back the box were desperate.

My dad's grip tightened on my neck, and his face contorted with anger. "You little ingrate," he spat out. "You think you can just take what you want? This is my house!"

I gasped for air, my vision blurring as panic set in. "Dad, it's not what you think," I managed to utter, but my words fell on deaf ears.

He shook me roughly, and his voice grew even more venomous. "You're a disappointment, Emery. Your mother would be ashamed of you if she were still here."

His words cut deep, reopening old wounds. Tears streamed down my face as I realized how far he had spiraled into his own grief and anger.

"Dad, please," I begged once more, my voice barely a whisper as I fought to breathe.

But just as the situation seemed unbearable, an unexpected knock on our front door shattered the tension. My dad froze, his grip loosening slightly as he turned his head toward the door.

Confusion and uncertainty flashed across his face, mirroring my own feelings in that moment. We both knew that whoever was on the other side of that door had the potential to change everything.