Author's Note - Thank you to everyone who read and reviewed the last chapter! I hope you all continue to enjoy the story.
Disclaimer - I only own Sephora and the plot. I do not own anything you recognize. I am in no way affiliated with the WWE.
Warnings - This story contains mentions of drug abuse, addiction, suicide, depression, etc.

Damage Control
Chapter Eight: Choices

Sephora signed the paperwork and sat the pen down on the clipboard. The nurse took the clipboard, looking dissatisfied with the situation.

"Thank you." Sephora adjusted the tote bag on her shoulder.

"I really wish you would reconsider." The nurse said with a frown.

"I'm sorry. I'm just ready to get back home and get back to my day to day life. That's what I need right now."

The nurse sighed and nodded, "Okay. Good luck Miss McMahon."

"Thank you." Sephora walked toward the elevator. She hit the down button. She looked back down the hall to find the Doctor watching her. She nodded apprehensively.

She was thankful when the elevator doors opened. She scurried on to the elevator and hit the button for the first floor. She inhaled deeply, thankful to be alone. When the elevator doors slid open she stepped out.

She felt better just knowing she was going home.

She walked across the lobby of the hospital and out the front doors into the crisp morning air.

She took a step back when a black sedan pulled up in front of her. She stared in stunned silence as the driver got out and opened the back door for her.

"Miss McMahon," The driver motioned for her to get in. "Mr. McMahon sent me to pick you up. He wishes to speak to you immediately."

Sephora sighed and got into the back of the car. The driver snapped the door shut and got back in the driver's seat. She stared silently out the window as the driver pulled away from the curb and drove out of the parking lot.

Sephora stepped through the front door of her townhouse. She dropped her bags and sighed when she spotted her father sitting on the couch. Of course, he would already be there waiting for her. Of course, he would have a key to her house.

"Sir." She said. She knew better than to address him as Dad after their interaction at the hospital. "Mr. Appleton informed me you wanted to speak with me."

"Yes. I am here to give you a choice." He stood up from his spot on the couch.

"I thought I wasn't responsible enough to make choices." The retort slipped out before she could stop herself.

Vince glared at her, "First, you need to pack your belongings."

"What?" Sephora asked, shocked. Was he serious at the hospital? Was he actually going to throw her out of her home. "You can't be serious? Are you actually going to - "

He raised a hand to silence her. "With the current state of the pandemic you need to pack because you will not be staying here."

Sephora frowned. "I just got out of the hospital. I just want to be home."

"That is your own doing. I can't trust you to be here by yourself." He ignored the dirty look she gave him, "Which is where your decision comes in."

"What decision would that be?" She asked. She could feel her temper rising and she did her best to bite it back. She didn't need to piss her father off anymore. She was already walking a fine line with him.

"You can choose to come with me to Florida and travel with me and stay where I stay - or you can go and stay with Rollins."

Sephora scoffed. He couldn't be serious. He really expected her to follow him around all day or go stay with a male coworker? "You're kidding right?"

"I'm a being deathly serious. A week ago I got a call that no father wants to get. So I am going to make sure it doesn't happen again. I can't trust you to be by yourself so I am giving you the choice. Travel with me or stay with Seth."

"I highly doubt Seth wants me around him." Sephora frowned. After seeing her overdose - and then the fight they had at the hospital - there was no way he could want her around, was there?

"He has already said it is fine if that is what you want. You would travel with him back and forth to the shows - as you usually do - and stay with him when you aren't working."

Sephora shook her head, "No. I'm not following you around and I'm not staying with Seth. I'm staying in my home."

"That wasn't a choice."

"I think you forgot you're not my father anymore - you can't boss me around anymore."

"I am still your boss."

"I might work for you but, that doesn't mean you get to dictate my personal life." Sephora snapped, crossing her arms defiantly over her chest.

"I also own this house. So, If I choose to, I can have you removed from the premises."

"You have go to be fucking kidding me. You would kick your own daughter out and send her to live on the street? Really?" Sephora shot him another nasty glare, "Like that's going to help me stay out of trouble."

Vince didn't respond. He stood in the center of the room, hands in his pockets, waiting patently.

"I want to stay here." Sephora insisted. "This is where I will be happy. This is where I will feel comfortable."

"Unfortunately, that wasn't an option."

"Can't someone just stay here with me." Sephora felt the hot sting of tears at the corner of her eyes.

"Make a choice Sephora." Her father said impatiently.

Sephora sighed, "Please call Seth." She muttered, defeated.

Sephora had her bags packed and waiting by the door when Seth arrived. He knocked on the front door. She opened it and motioned for him to come inside. He stood just inside the door and looked around, "Nice place." He offered, rubbing the back of his neck.

Sephora nodded, "Thanks." She walked to the kitchen and checked to make sure everything was off. She then checked the bedrooms. She fought back the tears as she turned off the hall light. She had been so looking forward to coming home and hadn't even had the chance to spend one night in her own bed.

Seth grabbed two of her suit cases. "I can come back for the rest. Why don't you just get in the car."

"I'm fine. I can get them." She grabbed her remaining luggage and followed him out the front door. She sat it down on the front porch so she could lock the door. She then tucked the key into her purse.

He led the way to his car and they put the luggage in the backseat. She got in the passenger seat and buckled her seat-belt. Once he was in the driver's seat she turned to look at him, "Thanks for letting me stay with you." She said quietly before turning and looking out the window.

"Yea, no problem." He said as he turned the key in the ignition and pulled out of his parking spot.

She felt the first drop of tears, as she watched her home disappear into the distance, wondering when she would get to come back again.

I know this chapter was on the shorter side, it is more of a filler chapter. I'm sorry.

The next chapter will be longer and there will be a lot more going on.

I hope you all managed to enjoy this chapter anyway despite the length & I hope you will all continue to read and enjoy the story.

Hope you are all safe and well. Happy Fourth to my fellow Americans. :)

-Danielle