Page 76 of Covetous

“Oh, shut up.” I scrunch my face at him, unable to hide my own smile. He loves to tease me, always calling me a good girl, even though he knows I like to be bad in the bedroom. Not that he’s ever complained about it. We’ve been enjoying each other. Immensely.

Hand in hand, we finish our trek to the front door. “Are you nervous?” Victor asks, sensing my slight unease.

“No. Parents love me.” I grin, pushing away the thoughts of Ian’s parents. They were shocked by our breakup, especially Anita, who had become like a second mother to me. Breaking up with Ian was one thing, but breaking up with my ex-future mother-in-law? Devastating.

Anita and I had met for lunch, and she told me Ian said I cheated on him. I confided in her about him hitting me. She was heartbroken and angry but not entirely surprised. Her reaction was more one of deep disappointment and sadness, as if she had suspected he was capable of such a thing.

“Oh, Skylar,” she had said, her voice heavy with emotion. “I’m so sorry.” She reached across the table, clasping my hand in hers. “You did the right thing, sweetheart.”

We had a good cry over it, both saddened by the fact that we would no longer be a part of each other’s lives like we once were. Anita had been a constant source of support and love throughout my relationship with Ian, and losing her felt like losing a piece of my heart.

But as much as it hurt, I couldn’t spend my life with someone who would raise a hand to me, no matter how much I loved his family.

“What’s wrong?” Victor’s voice pulls me from my thoughts, concern etched on his handsome face.

“Nothing.” I touch his cheek with my palm, and he leans in for a chaste kiss. “Are you nervous?”

“No,” he dismisses with a chuckle. Though I can see right through him that he’s as anxious as I am. “But it’s been a while since I’ve been here for a Sunday dinner.”

I nod, understanding the significance of this moment for him. Growing up in this massive mansion, surrounded by wealth and privilege, couldn’t have been easy for someone like Victor, who has always marched to the beat of his own drum.

He unlocks the door and reaches for my hand, intertwining our fingers. He gives me a gentle squeeze, and I squeeze back, silently reassuring him that I’m here for him, no matter what.

As we step into the grand foyer together, the opulent chandelier above us casts a sparkling glow on the shiny marble floors beneath our feet. The enticing aroma of simmering spices wafts through the air, making my mouth water and hinting at the delicious meal to come. From somewhere deeper inside the mansion, the gentle strains of classical music drift toward us, mingling with the sound of laughter and lively conversation that puts me at ease despite my nerves.

“Isabella, darling, is that you?” a melodic voice calls out. I recognize it as Eleanor James.

“No, it’s me, your best-looking child,” Victor replies, a cocky smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

Eleanor emerges from the living room, her eyes widening with delight. “Victor!” She rushes over, a sheen of tears in her eyes, and envelops him in a big hug. Then she turns to me, pulling me into an equally warm embrace, the scent of her floral Chanel perfume enveloping me. She seems confused at first, seeing us together, but quickly puts the pieces together.

“I thought I’d bring Skylar with me.”

“Oh, of course.” Eleanor’s eyes dart between us, a silent question hanging in the air.

“She’s my girlfriend.”

Eleanor’s eyes widen, a mix of shock and delight dancing across her face before a warm smile spreads across her lips. “When did this happen?”

“A few weeks ago,” I answer, leaning into Victor’s arm as he wraps it around my waist and kisses my forehead.

“This is the best news!” Eleanor’s eyes sparkle with joy. “Quentin,” she shouts toward the dining room, a closed-off space obscuring my view of who’s inside. “Senior,” she clarifies, likely distinguishing between father and son.

Senator James comes out, his smile melting away to a stunned expression. “Victor,” he says, his tone cordial. I sense a hint of happiness in his voice, like he’s glad Victor is there, despite their complicated relationship. He doesn’t outwardly show it, but I can see it—there’s hope for the two of them to patch things up.

“Hey,” Victor says nonchalantly, but I can see it in him too. Even if he’s too stubborn to admit it, he cares about his stepfather and wants to make amends.

There’s a loaded pause, a subtle shift in the senator’s body language that I can’t quite read. Victor’s shoulders tense, a fleeting expression of discomfort crossing his face. It’s an awkward moment between them, both seemingly waiting for the other to say something snarky or confrontational. I know they haven’t had the easiest relationship, and it pains me to see the guarded uncertainty behind Victor’s casual facade.

His relationship with his brother has improved. And Quentin has been trying to foster Victor’s relationship with their father, but Victor is hesitant to make the first move. I can’t blame him, considering how let down he used to get as a kid, constantly trying to win over his stepdad’s affection and approval. It’s a wound that hasn’t fully healed, but I know deep down, Victor loves his stepdad and wants a better relationship with him.

After their brief awkward but hopeful moment, the senator greets me. “Hello, Skylar.”

Eleanor blurts out the good news that I’m Victor’s girlfriend, answering his unasked question.

Senator James, a charming but serious man who isn’t as expressive as Eleanor, nods, a slight smile playing on his lips. “Well, I couldn’t be happier for you both.”

Eleanor’s smile grows even wider. “It’s so wonderful to have you here, Skylar,” she whispers, her voice filled with genuine affection.

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