Page 53 of The Right Kind of Wrong

She shook her head sadly. “I know it, but that doesn't mean I don't feel this way. I want to strangle Hannah and at the same time, I want her to tell me it'll be okay. I want my mom to hold me, my dad to treat me like the daughter that I am, not like I'm some sort of freak for grieving. I want Nana back.” Her voice broke at the end as she finally surrendered to her sorrow.

I embraced her, wrapping my arms around her while she began to tremble. I knew eventually she'd have to give in to it; no one can hide what they feel forever.

Anne's death was a big loss for us, but I knew she'd hate to see her granddaughter this way. She always did worry about her, saying that Evelyn's heart was far too sensitive to be a part of this world.

I glanced back towards the house, catching Hannah's suspicious gaze. Without caring, I held Evie as she sobbed quietly, Hannah's face hardening at the sight. I'd deal with her tantrum later.

***

The rest of the evening Evelyn made small conversation with her friends and my parents who'd taken it upon themselves to offer the support she needed.

When they met the Carsons, they were taken aback by their frivolous and monotone routine. We'd been well off, so they never thought that I'd make the decision of pursuing someone for money, but when my mother fell ill, I grew desperate. After that everything just seemed…easy.

However, after spending years with them I realized that not everything that shines is gold. With them, it was all dull, rusted metal. Crooked money. Corrupt deals. Hidden flaws that shone through when it came to getting what they wanted. Perhaps they'd never purposely hurt someone, but they sure as hell did what they had to do to get ahead.

The only person who many times managed to stop them from making the wrong call was Anne and now that she was gone, I couldn't even begin to fathom the types of deals they'd begin to make.

“Honey.”

My grip on the glass I held tightened. Hannah's voice seemed to silence the ones in the room and out of the corner of my eye, I saw Evelyn look up at us. I turned around only to meet Mrs. Nicholson behind me, a smug smile on her face. I didn't return it.

“Yes?” I asked, uninterested.

Hannah cleared her throat, well aware that everyone's eyes were on us. “I was just talking with Mrs. Nicholson about how sorry you were about the way you reacted with Josh a few weeks ago.”

Fuck no.

“Oh, really?” I said, an eyebrow raised. She had to be fucking kidding me. “I wasn't aware of that.”

“You have to understand, Nathan, it looked very bad on your part to behave that way at that gathering over something that wasn't any of your concern.” I gritted my teeth. Evelyn had slowly begun making her way over to where we stood. “I'm sure your sister-in-law could have handled whatever business she and Josh had on her own.”

My blood boiled.

“I don't understand the point of this conversation,” I said.

Hannah sighed. She was frustrated. I was too.

“You wanted to apologize, didn't you honey?”

Are you fucking kidding me?

“Let me get this straight,” I said. “You want me to apologize to the mother of the scumbag that attempted to rape your sister?” I asked, loud enough to cause stunned gasps throughout the house. Mrs. Nicholson brought her hand over her heart, shocked that I dared say something against the bastard she'd raised.

“I'm so sorry,” Hannah said, her face flushed. “I'm so sorry, Nathan is just taking Nana—”

“Cut the bullshit, Hannah,” I snarled. “Mrs. Nicholson, your son wants an apology? Send him over, I'll show him how sorry I am that he was even fucking born. People like him are what make this world such a shitty place to live in.”

Carter placed an arm around Evelyn's shoulder. I didn't have to look at her to know how sad she was that this was happening.

“As for the rest of you, you can all get the fuck out of my house.”

“Nathan—”

I interrupted Elizabeth, who attempted to calm me down. “You too, mother-in-law dearest. Out of my house.”

“It's my house too,” Hannah hissed, disbelief etched on her features.

“You're good with money, Han. I pay the goddamn mortgage, so it's my house. Get these people out before I drag them out with my bare hands.”

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