“You’re backing out already?” Like you backed out of our relationship, Kim couldn’t help but think.

“No, but after this evening it’s clear your father doesn’t want me here.” Zane turned his head.

“I’m sorry for his behavior tonight. He hasn’t taken this well at all.”

“Years ago I forgave him, but he hasn’t forgiven me for being poor nor the fact my father was often locked up for being drunk.” He snapped his fingers. “Oh, wait. He probably wouldn’t have cared about that if I hadn’t dared to date his daughter.”

She would have married Zane in spite of what her father felt, but Zane had never given her a chance. He’d left Hope and her. One night he was supposed to come pick her up for her senior prom, but he didn’t show up. It wasn’t until the next day she’d discovered Zane was gone. Then later she saw the check that her father had written to Zane.

“Was I only worth twenty thousand dollars to you?”