Chapter 30
Iser dove scrunched up. “Scratch that, not all details,”
I grinned at her and she grinned back. “Was it?“”
“Absolutely amazing but don’t tell him I said that or it will get his head.”
“Roger that, but come on, I came to get you for the movies.
“Hold on, let ne get changed,”
“Okay, meet me out front.” she called back as I headed to my closet. I stood in front of it, thinking about something to simple to wear but I still needed to make an effort.
I wasn’t so naive that I was hung upon the fact that we had sex but I know now that he is attracted to me and that is something I will revel in
1 stond in from of my mirror, frowning as held up yet another dress against my body. This one was a pale blue, soft and flowy, but it felt 100 formal for a casal movie night. I tossed it aside and grabbed a simple white top and jeans. It felt too plain, Huffing in frustration, I reached for a floral Mundress, priding in front of the mirror. Cute, ban not quite right.
“Come on I muntered to myself, rifling through the hangers. I needed something that would make me feel confident but still casual, not like I was trying too hard.
Finally, I found it. A deep red sweater with a pair of high–waisted black jeans. Perfect. The red complemented my skin tone, and the fit was smug enough to be flattering without being too much. I pulled it on admiring the way the sienter draped off my shuilder slightly. Yes, this was the one
I spent a few mitates styling my hair, letting it fall in loose waves over my shoulders. A quick swipe of mascara hit of blush, and I was ready. Feeling satisfied. I skipped downstairs, enger to find Lesh and show her my outfit. Then she would be proud that I managed to style myself.
I rounded the corner into the living room and stopped short. Thadn’t even noticed the people standing there until the woman spoke.
Is thus the DO?”
I turned slowly, confused by her question, and then the room seemed to shaft. A presence behind me. Before Leould even register what was happening, a sharp, suncing sensation exploded across my cheek. The slap came so fat, I had no time to react, no time to defend myself
Theard someone gasp, and then a faunt “Jesus” from somewhere in the rod.
My hand flew to my face in shock, but before I could possit. Aragon was besar me. His touch was gentle, cracing my check like something fragile. 1blinked up at him, still too stunned to fully understand what was going on.
The woman who had slapped me stood there, her glare icy and full of venom. “Why won’t you let my daughter love peace!” she shouted.
I stared at her, bewildered. “I don’t even know your daughter.
She scoffed like I’d just said the most ridiculous thing in the world, “Nonsense. Everyone knows Millicent.”
The name hit me like a punch to the gut. Millicem. Her it all made sense now. blinked, trying to steady myself, but the heat rising in my chest fold me I wasn’t going to stay calm for long
Istraightened my shoulders, feeling the dull ache in my cheek where she’d struck me. “Millicent! You think your daughter’s the victim liere?”
Her glare intensified. “Of course she ist You’ve been causing her nothing but goin. You deserved that slap and more.”
A bitter laugh almost bubbled out of me, but I bit it back. “Your dingler tried to poison me,” I said.
I don’t know if she was dehisional or if her chughter missed out on that part of her story when reporting her mother
The woman’s eyes narrowed, disbelief flashing across her face for just a second before she coffed again. “She would if she had tot Anyone would, if Boint tramp was dirting with their man.”
That almost made me hugh. The absurdity of it all. But instead, I just shook my head, walking a few steps closer to her. “That’s the problem, righ there. You. You’re why your daughter turned out to be the way she is. She’s manipulative, toxic, and yes, dangerous. All because of you. She poisoned someone for no reason but you think it’s because of a man!”
Aragon’s hand on my an tightened slightly, but I didn’t look at him. I couldn’t take my eyes off the woman in front of me, the woman who had the audacity to defend Millicem, even after everything
“And as for the man” I added. “Y–your daughter can have him. He’s not worth the trouble. Not at all.
my fault. Millicent’s actions
yofthis had been my
I felt Aragon stiffen beside me, but I didn’t stop. I wouldn’t let this woman think for one second that any o were her own and I wasn’t going to take the blame for someone rise’s messed–up life.
The woman’s eyes flared with rage, but I didn’t care. I walked rigla past her, ignoring the heart of her stare on my back, I was done here
“Come back here, I am not quite done with you!
“Yes, we are or I won’t be responsible for what I then to,” I said before leaving
1 heard Deale my name softly as I headed toward the front door, but I couldn’t stops. I couldn’t stay in that room a second langer.
Outside, I pressed my hand to my check again, the sting still fresh, but it wasn’t the slap that bothered me was the fact that someone like Millicentinone so cruel–had a mother willing to fight her bottles, even when she was in the wrong
Aragon followed me out, his footsteps quiet behind me. For a few moments, neither of us said anything. The silence was heavy, but not
uncomfortable.
Finally, I spoke “You didn’t love to step in back there”
Chapter 50
Hele not a breath his gaze fixed on the ground. “I couldn’t just stand there and do nothing.”
I tumed to face him, a small, tired smile tugging at my lips. “I can handle myself, you know. I don’t need you defending me/
די
He lifted his eyes to mine, his expression soft but arrinis. “I know you can. But that don’t mean you have to do it alone.
It’s gone to be an awkward family dinner for you seeing as you picked my side over theirs,”
“She shouldn’t have touched you, I should have done more. Don’t blame yourself for this, I thought she was asking me about you because she was
1 nodded, the weight of the day settling in. My cheek still throbbed, but the pain feli distant now. What mattered more was what I had said back there, what 1 had finally let our
“She’s never going to change, is she?” 1 mummired.
He shook his head. “Not unless she wants to. And from the looks of 11, she doesn’t
Iughed, rubbing my hands together to ward off the chill. “I just don’t understand how people like that can live with themselves. How they can everything around and make you feel like you’re the one in the wrong.”
“It’s easier for them,” he said quietly “Blaming others. It’s easier than looking in the mimor and admining they’ve made mistakes.“
I swallowed hard, the reality of his words sinking in. Maybe that was why Millicent, and her mother–would never change. Because they couldn’t
face the truth
But Trould. And that was enough for me.
