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“You’re jumping to conclusions here, which is the last thing he needs right now. This entire situation is only going to distract him from the postseason. This could be great for his coaching career. Could lead to offers to coach for a professional team.”

I stare at my dad, speechless. I knew it wouldn’t be easy to tell him the truth. Wyatt’s always been like a son to him. But for my father to berate me for leaving him after he cheated on me, all because his team could be going to the Heritage Bowl?

It hurts more than I thought it would.

“Maybe he should have thought about that before he fucked his assistant,” I bite out, grabbing my purse and turning toward the door.

“Don’t you think you’re being a tad unreasonable here? You don’t even know for certain⁠—”

“Yes, I do!” I spin around, my eyes burning. “Just once, it would be nice if you’d support me.”

“What are you talking about?” He frowns, genuinely confused. “I’ve always supported you.”

“No, you haven’t.” I swallow hard past the lump in my throat. “You’ve always supported Wyatt. His dreams. His career. Hell, you even encouraged me to attend his college instead of my top choice. Then encouraged me to drop out after he proposed and was drafted by the Mavericks. In your eyes, the only worthwhile thing I’ve ever done is marry him.”

“That isn’t true. Sure, I’m proud of him and everything he’s accomplished, but you’re my daughter.”

I let out a bitter laugh. “Do you know what I see every time I walk through this house?”

Dad’s expression tightens.

“A shrine to Wyatt. Photos of him. His football jerseys. Articles about his career.”

“Because we’re proud of him.”

“And what about me? What about Bennett?”

“Of course we’re proud of you two,” my mother says, trying to placate me, but I can finally see what I’ve ignored for years.

“Do you know how it feels to have everyone talk about your husband before they even ask how you’re doing?”

“Wynter,” my father begins, but I don’t let him finish.

“When I stepped into this house yesterday, your first concern wasn’t what prompted me to drive halfway across the country. It was how my being here might affect Wyatt.”

My father’s face falls. “I didn’t⁠—”

“My only value to you is that I’m the great Wyatt Patterson’s wife. Now you’re panicking because that won’t be the case much longer.”

“That’s not true.”

“Then why is that the first thing you tell people about me?”

“I don’t…” He shakes his head, searching for the words.

A small pang of guilt pricks beneath my ribs. My father isn’t a bad person. He’d never intentionally set out to make me feel this way. He does love me. Wants what’s best for me.

But sometimes loving someone isn’t the same thing as understanding them.

And my father has never understood me.

“I really thought for once you’d be on my side.”

“I’m always on your side, Winnie. You know that.”

I bite my lower lip to stop my chin from quivering. “No. I don’t.”

His jaw works, hurt flickering across his face, but it isn’t enough to make me take the words back. Instead, I grab my purse and storm out of the house.