Page 78 of The Mountain Man's Mail-Order Mafia Princess

Domenico’s voice softened. “You don’t need to pay someone to teach you how to resent your family.”

“That isn’t what therapy does.”

“It taught you to hide from me.”

“No. Your reaction taught me I had to hide.”

He looked toward the crowded field before facing her again.

“I gave you everything.”

“I know. I grew up loved, Daddy. I also knew everything could disappear if I made a choice you hated.”

“You’re my daughter. Your choices affect the family.”

“My therapy belongs to me. What happened to me belongs to me too.”

Domenico studied her. “And this counseling idea?”

“I intend to pursue clinical mental health counseling.”

“You had work beside me.”

“I loved being beside you. I still want work I choose.”

His gaze shifted to me. “And this is the alternative?”

“Jonah isn’t an alternative to you.”

“You’re standing in a Colorado field with a man you met one week ago, telling me you’re abandoning your home and career.”

“I’m not abandoning my family. I’m refusing your terms.”

“You don’t have money that isn’t connected to me. You haven’t applied to graduate school. You have no job here.”

“You’re right.”

Domenico blinked.

“I haven’t built the life yet,” she said. “I’ll open my own accounts, apply to programs, continue therapy, and find work you can’t take away when you’re angry.”

“You think announcing a plan makes it real?”

“No. Doing it will.”

Talia took his hand. “I love you. I know you protected me, and I know how much you gave me.”

“Then come home.”

“I won’t end therapy.”

His fingers closed around hers.

“I won’t give up counseling because it embarrasses you,” she continued. “I won’t let you control my accounts, my privacy, where I live, or who I build a life with.”

Domenico’s gaze cut toward me.

“I’m still your daughter,” Talia said.