Chapter 4

"Not my dad? Then whose dad could it be, yours?"

"Impossible! How could he possibly be your father? You're clearly just a poor student on financial aid!"

Fintan observed the unfolding scene, instantly grasping the situation.

He turned to Scarlett, his voice sharp: "What's so impossible about it? Do I need to whip out a paternity test for you to believe it?"

Scarlett's face flushed red and white in rapid succession, her composure crumbling.

"Mr. Myerson, no, I mean... How could Garrison possibly be your son? I've been with him for three years, and he's always been just a student on financial aid!"

I stared at Scarlett, feeling an indescribable disappointment welling up inside me.

"Scarlett, when I accidentally saw your application for financial aid, I told you I'd applied too, just to protect your pride."

"But if you're also from a poor background, what gives you the right to look down on others in the same situation?"