CHAPTER 79: The Threatening Text.

Erica was in her room preparing for her trip back to school. When she heard a soft knock on the door.

She knew it was her father, but she intentionally ignored the knock.

The soft rapping on the door continued, insistent and yet tentative at the same time. Erica tried to concentrate on folding her last pair of socks, but the knock kept distracting her.

“Erica, sweetheart,” her father called from the other side of the door.

“Can we talk for a minute?”

Erica remained silent, willing her hands to keep moving. If she didn’t respond, maybe her father would go away.

But her father didn’t go away. Instead, he gently pushed the door open and stepped into the room.

“I know you’re upset with me,” he said, his voice heavy with regret.

“I just want to talk to you, Erica. Please.”

Erica’s jaw clenched, her frustration boiling over. “What is there to talk about?

You made your decision without even asking me.”

Her father’s shoulders slumped, and he nodded. “You’re right.

“I didn’t handle this well,”