I raised my head, still dizzy, wanting to ask what he meant—what exactly he’d do.
He saw through it instantly. “No need to guess. Whatever it is you fear most... it’ll happen.”
What did I fear most?
Then, my thoughts drifted back to that year I transferred to that elite school. I’d been bullied mercilessly and taken so many awful, degrading photos. Back then, I was too ashamed to tell anyone about it.
I feared those pictures getting out, feared my mom finding out and calling me a disgrace, an embarrassment she couldn’t afford.
She was always terrified I’d upset the Reynolds family and get us both thrown out.
And then there was my stepfather... He’d walk in on me changing, more than once. I was terrified of him.
Luckily, Darell had noticed something was off. He dug into it, found out everything, and dealt with it quietly. I still remember what he said after.
“Don’t be scared. I took care of it. Whatever you’re afraid of—I’ll handle it.”
So what exactly did he mean now, when he said I’d face my worst fears?
I didn’t want to guess anymore. It didn’t matter.
My mom was gone. My stepfather was living abroad. There was no one left here for me to be afraid of.