I Hate the Way...

Part 74: "You Can't Love Me"🔞

Content Warning!!

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Hope stared at the papers in her hands, her brain was refusing to process the words on them. She felt like the air was suddenly sucked out of the room.

Her mouth opened as if to say something, but no words came out. Her gaze went to gaze, a mix of confusion and disbelief in her gaze.

Lizzie looked between the two, just as shocked. Then she stood up abruptly, nearly knocking over her chair in the process, "You know what? I actually have to be...anywhere else right now," she said quickly, already making a beeline for the door.

But Josie caught her hand, "No, stay," she dragged her sister back to her seat, knowing if she's left alone with Hope, it might change her mind about this whole thing.

She turned back toward Hope, her resolve the same.

Hope finally spoke, her voice sounding softer, "But...who's going to take care of you?"

Josie's eyebrows pulled together and for a moment she looked caught off guard. "Me," she answered simply.

Hope started, "But—"

"Hope," Josie cut her off, "I've been taking care of myself a lot longer than I've known you. I was fine before, and I'll be fine now." her tone getting a little sharper now, but her eyes flickered with something more fragile, "Do you really think I'm incapable of taking care of myself?"

"No, I didn't say that. I just..." Hope let out a sigh, trying to find the right words but she couldn't. "What about bills and stuff like that? Didn't you want my help with that?"

Josie crossed her arms against her chest, hearing every reason and excuse from Hope except the one that would actually make her choose to stay. "Well, the band and I are getting more gigs now. I'm putting out more music...I'll figure it out." She tried to mask the hurt with humor, "Hell, I'll write a breakup song or something. Those always do well."

Hope didn't find any humor in it though. "But I like taking care of you," she admitted softly.

Something flashed across the brunette's features for a moment, and her expression softened only a tad, "Well I don't need you to anymore. We got married so that my dad wouldn't be able to steal my inheritance." Hope shook her head but Josie continued anyway, "Now, my dad is dead, thanks to you, so none of that matters anymore."

Hope started, "Jo, I'm sor—"

"I don't need an apology, Hope," Josie interrupted more firmly. She reached out and slid a pen across the countertop, "I just need you to sign. Please."

Hope just stared at her for a moment, as if trying to comprehend the request. Slowly, her lips curved into a disbelieving scoff, her eyes narrowing slightly.

Josie's eyebrows knitted together in confusion. "What?" she asked, her voice showing her irritation.
Hope didn't reply. She put the papers back down on the counter, sliding them aside without so much as a glance. Then she turned back to the stove, continuing to cook breakfast as if nothing happened.

The sound of the spatula scraping against the pan filled the tense silence for a long moment.

Josie's frustration bubbled over. "Are you serious right now?" she asked, her voice rising slightly. "Hope, this isn't something you can just ignore!"

Still, Hope said nothing, flipping a pancake onto a plate with infuriating calmness before turning off the stove.

Josie's hands clenched into fists at her sides. "Hope, are you even listening to me?" she snapped.