The next morning-

When Jessica woke up the kitchen was empty. She knew the kids were up, but they must have decided to boycott breakfast. Jessica hated the feeling of tensions being so high in the house. She hadn't slept much that night. The things she had said to Olivia haunted her. Jessica was always one to bite her tongue when it came to what she said to the children. She was never an angry person towards them. She never had to be because they always followed the rules. She thought that maybe Olivia was looking for attention from boys... that only made her feel worse about the situation. Whenever her and the kids had a falling out, which was very rare, Jessica would constantly think it over and ask herself if she was over reacting. What really haunted Jessica was what she said to Olivia about her father. She had pledged to never speak horrible things of him and to keep quite. It was the spur of the moment type thing yesterday.

Jessica made herself coffee and oatmeal. She sat at the table alone reading emails. Then Danny texted her.

*Stay stern with your punishment, don't give in. You did the right thing. You mean business and she needs to know that.*

Danny knew how guilty Jessica would feel after punishing Olivia. It was never her cup of tea because she was never used to it.

Jessica took a deep breath and nodded... he's right Jessica. You are the parent. You did the right thing. She broke the rules, a big rule.

As Jessica was finishing up her breakfast Sean walked into the kitchen.

"Good morning." Jessica says standing up and putting her dishes in the sink.

"Hey, I'm going to school late today. I'm doing some kind of job shadowing thing today. I won't be able to take Olivia to school."

"That's fine, I can take her. Where is she?"

"Pouting upstairs. Gosh she's over reacting."

"That's because I told her to break up with this kid."

"Good, he's a pot head. All he does is party and have sex."

"Just cool it on your sister. The last thing I need is you two fighting." Jessica smiles kissing his cheek.

"I know, I guess I'm protective of her. I mean she's my little sister. All kinds of my friends talk about her."

"Thank you for being such an amazing big brother. I'll see you after work, have a good day."

**
The car ride over was awkward. Olivia sat up front with Jessica but refused to say a word. She looked out the window and huffed a few times.

"Olivia, I just wanted to say I'm sorry for the things I said yesterday. It was out of anger and I should have never said them." Jessica says sincerely

"But you said them. You don't just say stuff like that about my dad." Olivia snaps

"You said some rotten things yourself, young lady."

"Because they were true. That's why. I spoke the truth, you didn't." Olivia says sternly

"I did speak the truth. You're too young to understand what went on. I don't think it's your business to know." Jessica raises her voice a bit as anger builds up inside.

"You ruined our family. You made dad leave! We should all be mad at you, not dad! Maybe if you could just be a good wife." Olivia chokes up.

Jessica wanted to say more, but she just couldn't find the words. It was a smack in the face hearing that from Olivia. Jessica understood that she was angry, but didn't think those words were necessary.

"You don't truly think that, do you?" Jessica says with tears flowing down her face.

"I'm afraid I do. Everyone does, you wrecked our family. I wish it was you that left."

Jessica stops the car. They were at Olivia's school. Without saying anything else she gets out of the car and slams the door.

Jessica tried to shake it off, but she couldn't. Hearing things like that from your own children with a stab in the heart. She felt guilty and heartbroken.

*
That weekend-

Over the week Jessica and Olivia didn't speak to each other. Olivia was still grounded, but refused to look or speak to her. Jessica had been sheltered ever since Olivia said those things to Jessica. She tried to avoid the fact that maybe it was true. She couldn't get it out of her mind.

On Saturday Jessica planned to go over Jane's house to talk about everything that happened and let her know. Layla was Jane's daughter. Jessica just wanted to figure out what exactly happened. It was a lot for Jessica to think about. Everything happened so soon.

Sean stayed with Olivia while Jessica left for a bit.

"Hey Jess, come in! Sorry it's kinda crazy here." Jane says pushing the shoes that blocked the doorway to the side.

"It's fine, really. My house is a disaster." Jessica says walking in.

"Work has been crazy. The hospital has me working these crazy shifts. That's why I haven't been able to do anything or talk to any family." Jane walks through the house and into the kitchen. Jessica follows her.

"So, what's going on with you?" Jane says sitting down

Jessica sits across from her and sighs. "Everything. My worse nightmare I guess you could say."

"Oh no...." Jane's smile vanishes

Jessica tells her everything. About the dating, sneaking around, the no dating rule, how bad the boy is, the things that were said, and how Olivia's reacting.

Jane was shocked. She didn't know how to react. Jessica's children, especially Olivia were always so good and never broke rules. It was hard for her to picture her niece hanging around with a bad kid.

"And Danny agrees with your punishment?"

"Yes... thankfully we are on the same page about this one. But there's just one thing."

"What is it?"

"Her way of seeing this kid was Layla. She lied to me saying that they were hanging out."

"Oh my god, Jessica I didn't know! I'm so sorry!" Jane becomes embarrassed

"It's fine really. I just thought you should know in case Olivia isn't aloud to hang out with Layla for a while."

"I totally understand! I can't believe this! Layla!! Come down here, now!" Jane screams

"No Jane, it's fine..." Jessica says

Layla comes running down the stairs.

"Oh hi aunt Jess! It's nice to see you." She bends down and hugs Jessica.

"Hi sweetie..." Jessica smiles

"Sit down, we need to talk." Jane says sternly

"What's going on?" She sits down

"You've been sneaking Olivia around with a boy?" Jane says

"I wouldn't use sneaking as the word. I thought you knew, aunt Jessica?"

"No, Olivia isn't aloud to date. I didn't know until I read through her phone."

"Oh, I'm sorry. I never would have done it if I knew that. She told me you knew. She just said she needed a ride."

Jessica covers her face and groans. "Ahh!! Teenagers." She exclaims

"Well now you know. Go finish studying." Jane says

"I'm sorry again, Aunt Jess."

"It's okay, it was nice seeing you." Jessica smiles giving her a hug.

After Layla was gone Jessica broke into tears. Jane took her hand to comfort her.

"Jess, don't cry. This will all blow over."

"She's so mad! I feel like I failed as a mother. How could I not realize this? I've been so busy with work and during the divorce I was a wreck. My daughter is looking for attention from a boy. I said horrible things about her dad. In return she said horrible things about me. She wants to live with him now! I can't help but feel like everything is my fault. This, the divorce, everything!" Jessica covers her face and cries even more.

"Listen to me, teenagers can be sneaky and horrible. That sounds horrible but it's true. Olivia knows what gets to you, and she is digging herself deep. She's saying it out of anger. But she doesn't mean it. And you need to know that the divorce, this, and everything else it's not your fault. It's all Danny. You can't let a fourteen year old get inside your head. She needs to know you that what she said was wrong, and the more she says it, the more grounded she gets. Your kids are so good, Jessica! And that's why you aren't used to all this. Just give it time... and for her living with her dad. Let her know that her punishment will drag on at his house. Just promise me you won't let it get to you."

"It's hard... She's just such a good girl. I love her to pieces."

"I know... she'll come around. They always do. Let me tell you something... they can't live without us."

**

Do you ever just have that one story idea that you hold onto from the moment you started writing the first chapter? Well this is it! Hope you are all liking it!

And I started a new book, oops! It's called Taken From Me. I'd love if you guys went and read the first chapter and let me know what you think! Much love, happy Monday! 😊❤️