"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" Drew's dad looked at his son with unshed tears.

After Drew left Imani's house that day, he went straight to his dad's house. His dad was curious as to why Drew wasn't at his mother's. He knew that Drew didn't particularly like Elizabeth so he didn't think much of it. His dad let him in and didn't even notice the sad look on his son's face as he walked through the door.

Drew kept Imani's words in his heart and had spent the week slowly building up the courage to tell his dad about everything that had happened. He was worried his dad would be angry. Or that telling him would force him to confront the memories of his divorce. But Drew knew he couldn't keep this a secret anymore. He had to tell someone.

And so, on the last day of spring break, Drew finally cracked. He sat his dad down and told him everything. He told him about the abuse from his mother that started when he was younger. He told him about the bruises, the scratches, the blood; everything. And by the time he was done, Drew's voice was raw and his dad looked completely heartbroken.

"I didn't want to make things worse for you. You were going through the divorce and I didn't want to add to that. I thought I could handle it." Drew looked at his dad who sat down on the couch in front of him.

Drew's dad stood up and pulled his son closer, wrapping his arms tightly around him. Drew slowly returned the hug. He wasn't usually comfortable with people touching, especially hugging him, but in that moment, his dad needed him as much as he needed his dad. He felt his shirt become damp as his dad's tears fell onto his shoulder.

"You should've never gone through that. Even with everything that was going on. You shouldn't have felt like you had to carry everything on your shoulders. I'm here for you. I love you, son." His dad pulled him even closer.

"I love you too dad."

They stayed like that for a couple minutes, neither of them saying anything to each other and instead gaining comfort in the silence that surrounded them. Drew felt his cheeks get wet too as he heard his dad sniffle. He never realized how much he needed a hug from his dad until this moment.

Austin Stone felt like the worst father in the world. He was so angry with himself. How hadn't he noticed? Every time Drew came back from Elizabeth's house, he would lock himself in his room and avoid talking to his dad for at least two days. He would wear long sleeve shirts and wouldn't dare change in front of his dad. Even when he came back with a bandaid on his cheek earlier that week, Drew told him that it was because of a fall before locking himself up in his room. The signs were there. They were there the entire time and he didn't even notice.

He felt his blood become fire in his veins. He never thought Elizabeth could be so evil and heartless. Beating on their son? Austin scowled. He couldn't let her get away with it.

Drew pulled away from his dad and noticed the frown on his face.

"She's not going to get away with this." His dad said, grabbing his phone and dialing Elizabeth's number.

Drew was just as emotional as his dad but he didn't want him confronting her over the phone. Nothing would get accomplished; Elizabeth would just cry and ignore his father's words and his dad would just yell and cuss her out. He snatched the phone from his dad.

"Andrew, give it-"

"No dad. It's okay. I'm okay now. I just want to get my stuff from her house and move on." Drew set the phone on the table.

Austin eyed his son and sighed. "Fine, if that's what you want. But if she starts anything, I'm not holding my tongue." He huffed.

And so, Drew and his dad got in the car and made their way to his mother's house all the way on the other side of town. Drew felt nauseous during the ride. His palms were sweating and he was fidgeting in his seat. He didn't know how things were going to go between his parents. He didn't know if he could handle anymore yelling and fighting. He just wanted to get his things. In and out and then he would never have to see his mother again.

When they were finally outside her house, Drew took a deep breath before turning to his dad. "I'll go in. You stay here."

"I'm not letting you go in there by your-"

"Dad, please." Drew pleaded. He needed to do this. And he wanted to do it alone.

"If you're not out in five, I'm coming." Austin turned the car off and watched Drew get out the car and head towards her door.

Drew knocked and waited for Elizabeth to open it. And when she did, Drew glared at her. She had a bright smile on her face as she held the door open. It was like nothing had happened. Like she hadn't slapped him. Drew scoffed and pushed past her.

He made his way to his bedroom and packed everything in a suitcase. His clothes; his books, he didn't want any trace of him at her house. Once he walked out of that door, he would never come back. Ever.

"Andrew, why are you packing up your things?" Elizabeth leaned against his door frame.

Drew ignored her, stuffing more things into his luggage.

"Are you deaf? Where are you going?" Elizabeth walked into the room. She was growing angrier by the second as her son ignored her and continued to pack. She needed to be the center of attention and didn't like being ignored one bit. And when Drew pushed past her to leave, she was hysterical.

"Baby, where are you going? You can't leave me." She cried and grabbed onto his arm as he walked down the spiral steps. Drew turned on her quickly with a glare and yanked his arm away from her.

"Don't touch me." He continued to walk towards the door.

"Andrew! Andrew, please." His mother was crying at this point. Drew continued walking and threw the door open, eyeing his dad's car.

He ignored his mother's whimpers and screams. She was so damn loud that some of her neighbors started walking out of their houses to see what all the commotion was about. They had front row tickets to the show his mother was putting on and Drew couldn't have been more embarrassed. Elizabeth always wanted things to go her way and when they didn't, she took matters into her own hands. And this time, that meant creating a big scene to embarrass Drew. He was ashamed as he made his way to his dad's car. His ears and neck were on fire as he felt eyes burn at his back.

"Andrew, baby. Please!" She grabbed onto his hand even tighter, forcing him to stay.

Drew looked at his mother. Her face was red. Her cheeks were tear-stained. To anyone on the outside looking in, she looked sad. But Drew knew better. She loved the attention she was getting from the growing audience of neighbors. She only wanted him to stay so she could continue making his life a living hell. She wanted Drew to stay so his father still had a reason to give her money. So she would still have some connection with Austin.

Drew scowled at his mother and sighed. "Let me go."

"No Andrew! You don't get to walk away from me."

"Just let me go." Drew didn't know if he was sad or angry. He just wanted to leave.

"No! I'm not letting you leave me. I've worked too hard for you to destroy everything I have." She whispered harshly, tightening her hold on Drew.

He laughed bitterly. "How long are you going to keep this charade up? You don't love me. You don't love dad. You only love yourself, money and alcohol. You've made both of our lives complete hell and here you are trying to paint yourself as some sort of victim. Don't you think you've done enough? The least you could do is leave me the fuck alone."

Elizabeth was taken aback by Drew's outburst. How dare he talk to her that way? She was still his mother! She saw the way Drew looked at her with disgust and shame. And then her surprise turned to anger.

She glared at her son. "Listen here you little shit I-"

"No! You listen." Austin walked closer to the pair. Neither of them had even noticed him get out of the car because of the growing commotion. Elizabeth quickly dropped her grip on Drew and cued the water works.

"Austin, you don't understand-"

"Save your lies for someone who gives a fuck. You are not a mother. I should have known something was wrong when Drew would dread going to yours. You are a manipulative, abusive bitch and you will never see your son again. And I will never give you another dime." Austin yelled loud enough for the neighborhood to hear. No one was looking at Elizabeth in support anymore, instead glaring at the lady.

Elizabeth felt her whole face go red. This wasn't what she wanted. This wasn't how things were supposed to go.

"Austin, he's lying to you. Why would you believe him over me? I would never do that. You know I love you. I know you still love me too." She held onto Austin with tears in her eyes.

"You don't know what love is Elizabeth. You've never loved anyone but yourself. No one will ever love you and you only have yourself to blame. I don't know what the hell is wrong with you, but I never want to see you again. And if you come anywhere near Drew, I'll have your ass locked up with so many charges, you won't see the light of day." He growled at her.

That got Elizabeth to shut the hell up.

Austin turned to Drew. "Get in the car, kid."

Drew nodded at him and stuffed his language into the trunk. Elizabeth was yelling as his dad held her back.

"You're a liar."

"I love you Andrew, you know I do."

"I'm sorry! I'll never do it again."

"You can't leave me."

Drew ran to the passengers seat and before he closed the door, he heard his dad yell back. "You stay the hell away from my son. You don't deserve to be in his life."

His dad made his way to the driver's seat and shut the door on Elizabeth. They both watched as she slid to the ground and cried her crocodile tears. The car was silent as they heard her wail and throw a fit.

After a few minutes, Austin started the car and turned to his son, patting him on the shoulder. "You okay kid?"

Drew was shaking. He couldn't believe that he had done that. He had finally confessed everything to his dad and stood up against his mother. He couldn't believe what his dad had said to Elizabeth in his defense. He rarely saw his dad get mad; hearing him cuss her out was liberating. She deserved it. And Drew would never have to put up with her again.

Elizabeth had tried to ruin his life. And she almost succeeded. Almost. Drew sighed. She was no longer in his life; he would never see her face again. He would be okay.

A small laugh escaped Drew's lips. He felt free. It was like he could properly breathe again. A weight had been lifted off his shoulders, his chest, and his heart.

He turned to his dad with a smile. "I'm okay."

And for the first time in a long time, Drew meant it.

~*~

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