I Watched Them Love Her Chapter 23

I Watched Them Love Her Chapter 23

On the day college decisions were released, I received my acceptance from Yale.

It came with a scholarship package covering full tuition and housing.

Mom burst into tears on the spot.

Dad broke into a wide smile.

Nico pulled me into a hug.

“Tessa, you’re incredible.”

I stood there, a polite smile fixed on my face.

Inside, I was perfectly calm.

In this life, I had gotten here on my own.

No one had given it to me.

No one had handed it to me.

In September, I stood in the main concourse of Grand Central Terminal, my suitcase in hand.

I was on my way to New Haven to start my freshman year.

Mom, Dad, and Nico all came to see me off.

“Tessa, remember to call when you get there,” Mom said.

“If anything happens, you call us,” Dad added.

Nico looked at me, a thousand words in his eyes, but in the end, he only said one thing.

“Take care of yourself.”

I nodded.

“Okay.”

Boarding began for my train.

I picked up my suitcase and walked toward the platform.

“Tessa!”

Mom called out my name one last time.

I turned back.

She stood in the crowd, tears streaming down her face.

“Mom is so sorry for what I did to you.”

I looked at her for a few seconds.

“I know.”

With that, I turned and walked away.

I didn’t look back again.

As the train pulled out of the station, the Manhattan skyline slowly receded behind me.

From now on, my life was my own.

I would never compromise myself for anyone again.

And I would never again wait for someone else to believe in me.

This time, I would live only for myself.