Also don't get me started on how petty and vindictive that is. Did she seriously never look into the circumstances around his disappearance? Did she never ask her dad why he wasn't showing up? I don't think kids 9-10 year olds typically are able to think about things in terms of "this person hates me so I'm gonna ruin their life in a few years." And I doubt you'd hold onto the conviction for 6 YEARS.
I doubt a kid is gonna keep that kind of hatred with them, even if their first love. Hell, the fact she already rejected him should be enough, but then she goes out of her way to have ANOTHER moment where she basically spits in his face for falling for her, which you'd think she'd be excited for. But no, instead she decided it would be a good idea to expose his identity, which he was making clear that he was trying to keep secret for his own safety, and then publicly degrade him for it.
Thank god he told her that sob story, because otherwise she'd ruin his life. AGAIN. Talk about a face-heel turn.
This poor kid is being gas-lighted by everyone and can't even catch a break. Though I guess you could argue that makes sense because he's lived such an artificial life in the limelight that he's never known what an actual relationship looks like, and without a mom, he doesn't have a frame of reference for what a healthy relationship is meant to be, and so is stuck in all these unhealthy ones by people trying to use him.
I feel like I'm reading the Great Gatsby all over again...