JUDE
"miko-"
"No, Jude. I know you want to sacrifice yourself, deal with things your own way, but I am here, and I am not letting you do that. You are strong, very capable, that's why I know you can do it. But I am here too, and I want to share the burden with you, if you will let me. I will pay your father all the money he wants."
"I know you can, and you will if I were to let you," I smile at him sadly. "But I can't let you do that. Not because I am an idiot, but because I want to prove to him that I can overcome whatever he thinks can overwhelm me.
"I don't want him to think that I can't stand on my own two feet, be a man, and face him. It's a little hard for me. I am hurt because I knew they weren't happy with my choices. I also knew they didn't like me when they told me not to attend my grandma's funeral.
