The Year I Became Isabella Anders (Sunnyvale, #1)(37)

“But how did he find out? I didn’t say anything to him.”

“You didn’t have to. He said he knew from the moment you got back from your trip. He said you looked so much like her, and he just jumped to the conclusion that your change came from learning who your mom is.”

“I look like her?” I try not to act too giddy, because Grandma Stephy seems upset, but I can’t help it. I’m totally freakin’ excited.

“According to your dad, you do.” She dazes off into empty space. “I can’t believe how your father acted today. I mean, I always kind of knew he was a spoiled brat, but . . .” She looks at me. “Your grandpa used to spoil him all the time, because he was his only son. Everything Henry wanted, your grandpa gave him. I knew one day it would backfire, but the way he treated me,” she shakes her head, “I just can’t believe that man yelling at me today is my son.”

“I’m sorry. I feel like this is all my fault.”

“It’s not your fault. He never should’ve kept you in the dark like he did. But what I don’t get is how on Earth he thought I told you how your mother looked, and all the other stuff he was saying. He acted like I somehow found out everything about her and told you.”

“Maybe he thought you hired a private investigator.” I shift my leg into a more comfortable position as the low ache ignites into a fiery pain.

“Maybe.” She mulls over something, tousling her short hair with her fingers. “I don’t know, though. I’d have to have a starting point for that, which I don’t.”

“But there has to be a starting point. I mean, if she had me and I lived with her for a while, it’d be documented, like say with a birth certificate.”

“You sound like a mystery novel right now, Isa,” she says with a thoughtful smile.

“Well, I do read them a lot,” I admit. “But I’m just saying, her name has to be on it, doesn’t it?”

She promptly shakes her head. “I know where you’re going with this, and the answer is no.”

I give her my most innocent look, my lips parting, my eyes widening. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Your father is already upset as it is,” she continues, ignoring me. “If he caught you snooping around,” she shakes her head in dismay, “I don’t even want to go there.”

“He’s not going to hurt me, if that’s what you’re thinking.”

“I know he won’t hurt you, but with how they treat you now, and if Lynn gets involved in this . . .” She sighs heavily as she checks the screen of her phone. “I really think you should reconsider my offer to come live with me. Your father won’t be happy about it, but that doesn’t mean I can’t fight it. He’s proved way too many times that he doesn’t deserve to have you around.”

“I don’t think he’d care,” I say, repositioning my leg.

“I wouldn’t be so sure of that,” she tells me with a heavy-hearted look. “In fact, he might have mentioned something about me staying away from you while he was mad. And he’s probably going to yell at me when he gets here.”

My mouth curves to a frown as my shoulders slump. “He’s headed here? Why?”

“Because he’s your guardian and you’re on his insurance.” She covers her hand over mine. “Don’t worry. He’s just going to be angry with me.”

“Well, I’m going to let him know this is all my fault.” I grip her hand, trying to tell myself that everything will be okay. “I’m sure once he realizes that, he’ll let me see you again.” Besides, there’s no way Lynn would ever let my dad try to keep me at our house.

“I’m not sure he’s going to change his mind about this. Usually, I’d say yes—that his threat was one of his temper tantrums—but this time he seemed pretty dead set on you keeping your distance from me.” Determination fills her eyes. “I can make it happen, Isa. Just say you want to live with me, and I’ll make sure to get you out of that house.”

I take in her kind eyes that have dark circles under them, and her pale skin. She looks way more worn out than the Grandma Stephy I know. The fight she had with my dad today must’ve gotten to her more than she’s letting on.

“I’m fine,” I assure her as confidently as I can. “Besides, I don’t want to have to change schools and be known as the new girl for my senior year.”

“You never know. Being the new girl might give you a chance at a fresh start, which was what you and Indigo were always yammering about during the trip. Every damn night, that’s all I heard while I was trying to fall asleep.” She tries to appear annoyed, but a trace of a smile forms at her lips.

She’s right. Starting a new school could give me a fresh start, and hey, maybe I’d even make some new friends and no longer have to be Loner Girl. But putting more stress on Grandma Stephy is definitely something I don’t want to do.

“Can we talk about me living with you in a couple of weeks? Maybe after my dad’s cooled off, he might be more willing to agree to let me go.” I’m almost certain he will. It’s not like he wants me there anyway.

“Maybe.” She sounds pretty skeptical, though, which makes me wonder exactly what was said during their argument. Her shoulders slump forward as she sighs. “If that’s what you want. But only if you promise to call me the moment things get too bad.”