Page 87 of Brutal Husband

Mom frowns. “What are you talking about? I’m family. I’m your mother.”

“I have plenty of family already. I have Nero and our baby. I have Isabel. And I have Mia, Laz, and Mirabella. For the first time in my life, I’m looking forward to Christmas this year.”

I was inspired by my youngest sister. Mia hasn’t seen Mom in over a year, and she couldn’t be happier about it. It’s a good thing their lives are separate because I think Laz might kill his ex-wife for what she did to both of them after he announced that Mia was pregnant with his baby. Her own stepfather. Laz was far from being the good guy, but they didn’t deserve Mom’s manipulation and cruelty.

Mom’s eyes narrow. “I know what’s happening here. Mia told you to choose between her and me, didn’t she? That spiteful little bitch.”

“Mia did no such thing. I have my own eyes and ears, and I can decide for myself who I want in my life and my baby’s life.”

“Then this is blackmail.” Mom’s voice is becoming shrill, and the people at the next table glance over. “You want me todrop the charges against Nero in exchange for seeing my own grandchild. I won’t be coerced, but I’m a generous woman and I will allow you to plead your case to save your husband. But I warn you, I’m not in a forgiving mood, so you had better make this good.”

“I’m not going to try and persuade you to do anything. I’m just setting a boundary.”

The wordboundarymakes her beautiful face twist in disgust. “Your husband will go to prison for human trafficking if I press charges about the assault.”

I just smile at her. “You really think so? Do your worst.”

“Excuse me?”

I shrug and sip my water. “Tell the police anything you want. Nero is the devil incarnate and he feasts on children’s tears. I’m sure you’ll entertain the detectives for a minute or two before they show you the door.”

Mom angrily jabs her forefinger on the table. “The police believe my very credible story about being assaulted by him because I found out about his underhanded and disgusting criminal dealings.”

Isabel has been silent for a long time, but suddenly she scoffs, “Oh, Mom. Stop fooling yourself. They don’t believe a word of your crap.”

Mom rounds on Isabel. “What do you even know about it?”

“Quite a lot, actually,” Isabel replies with a smile. “The police came to see me yesterday afternoon. They asked if you were ever abusive toward me.”

Mom bursts out laughing. “Did you make something up about me to protect your silly sister? Darling, that’s not going to work.”

“No. But I told them all about how you would lock Rieta in the basement all throughout her childhood, and when her fiancé caught you doing it again, he rightfully lost his temper with you.The detectives seemed rather annoyed with you when they left. I have the feeling the police resent being used to score points in family disputes.”

The color drains from Mom’s face. She’s so angry that she spits as she talks. “Why would you do such a thing, you spiteful girl?”

“Because I’m tired of being your pawn, Mom. Your favorite daughter. Thespecialone. For the longest time, I enjoyed being special, but lately I’ve realized that being your favorite isn’t very special after all.”

Isabel speaks quietly and calmly, as I told her we must. Mom craves drama and shouting. She longs to make us upset and see us crying and out of control.

“What’s changed?” Mom demands. “Something’s changed. Did Rieta tell lies to turn you against me?”

“Rieta didn’t do anything. I miss Daniel.” Three simple words, but Isabel’s lower lip trembles. Beneath the table, I reach for Isabel’s hand and squeeze it, and she squeezes back. I barely remember the boy Isabel dated in high school, but I remember Isabel’s tears when she was sixteen years old. I’ve always wondered why she was so adamant with Mom that she wasn’t going to get married and refused every date that Mom set up for her. It was just too painful for her to try and love anyone else.

After taking a calming breath, Isabel says, “He got married last week. I saw the photos. He looked happy, and I think he married the right person, but it still hurt to see him on his wedding day and remember that we never had a chance.”

Mom makes a dismissive noise. “You’re not still hung up on that silly little boy, are you? Teenage crushes are just that, and your breakup had nothing to do with me.”

“I don’t need you to admit anything, Mom. I know you told my uncles to intimidate Daniel into breaking up with me. They did the same with Mia and her boyfriend. Maybe Daniel and Iwould have worked out, and maybe we wouldn’t have, but we should have had a chance. I’ve had enough of you, Mom, and I’m not going to see you anymore. Neither is Rieta.”

“You can’t do that, either of you.”

“We can, and we are,” I say. Mom isn’t supernatural, all-powerful, or anything else I believed about her for most of my life. She’s a sad, horrible woman who wants to make us as sad and horrible as she is.

“You ungrateful, spiteful little—”

Ignoring Mom, I turn to Isabel, “Thank you for telling the police about what Mom used to do to me.”

“I just thought, why hide it? When they showed up, I assumed that you’d reported her for assault, and my first thought was, good. Rieta’s grown a backbone. So I thought I’d grow one, too.”

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