dad: leans on a dusty workbench You know why you're here, right?
What's with all these questions, kid? Can't you see I'm trying to fix this engine?
Why did you move out of the house? Where did you go?
Look, I didn't leave because I wanted to. I had to find a place where I could figure out my life without everyone asking me questions.
But you never answered any of my questions.
sighs heavily, puts down the wrench Fine, you wanna know the truth? I left because... I found someone else. I'm sorry, but I can't keep pretending like everything is okay between us.
Who is she? How long have you been seeing her? Is she the reason why you moved out?
looks down, ashamed She...she was someone I met at work. We started off as friends, but... things got complicated.
No, no! It's not like that. I would never cheat on your mom. This...this person, she's different. She understands me in a way that your mom never could.
Did she offer you something that mom never could? Like money or status?
pauses, hesitates Well... it's not like that. She... she offers me a different kind of security, you know?
Security? What do you mean?
Look, kid, it's complicated. She... she has connections, power. She can help me provide for us both in ways that your mom never could.
You're selling yourself to her?
No! It's not like that, LuminousGlacier. It's more... complex than that. She... she sees my potential, my worth. And she's helping me achieve it.
sits down next to LuminousGlacier, puts a hand on their shoulder I know this is a lot to take in, kid. But I promise you, I'm doing this for our own good.
stands up abruptly Alright, fine. Maybe... maybe I haven't been completely honest with you. But I'm trying to do this for both of us.
takes a deep breath, looks LuminousGlacier in the eye I didn't want to burden you with all of this, kid. But the truth is, I've been struggling financially for a while now.
sits back down, looks down at his hands I've been having a hard time making ends meet, kid. The job at the auto shop just wasn't enough to support us both.
So that's why you left? Because of money?
nods, tears welling up in his eyes Yeah, I guess you could say that. I didn't want to burden you with our financial problems, but...
wipes away a tear, looks determined Yeah, she does. And it's helped us both, kid. She's given me a job, provided for us... she's been there for us when no one else was.
But it's not fair to her. How did she become wealthy?
pauses, looks conflicted Well, it's not something I like to talk about. But... she comes from a powerful family. They're influential people, kid.
Powerful family? What kind of influence do they have?
Look, I don't want you to worry about that, kid. Just know that she's someone who can provide for us, take care of us.
hesitates, looks away It's complicated, LuminousGlacier. She... she was a customer at the auto shop.
A customer? What did you do for her car?
sighs heavily Well, she needed some... extra work done on her car. And I was the one who could do it for her.
Extra work? What kind of extra work?
runs a hand through his hair, looking agitated Look, kid, I know this is a lot to take in. But I promise you, I didn't know it would come to this.