Page 23 of Love Defies Us

“I don’t want my daughter to whore herself to a man,” my dad says. “I want her to stay at our company and work or do what she loves. Stop trying to pimp her out, because you’re afraid she can’t make it in the world. She’s not a whore like you.”

My mother’s face turns redder than the blood moon and this is the first time I’ve ever seen her so hurt. So broken. So angry. This is the first time I’ve seen her show any type of emotion. She’s normally composed and stern.

Ladies and gents, this is what happens when you marry someone you hate.

“Yourdaughter?” she mocks. “That’s rich coming from you.”

She might as well punch him in the gut, that’s how deep the hurt registers on his face. He picks up his glass of wine and sips it slowly, glaring at her.

I’m done.

I’m done with this family and their toxic behavior.

I’m done with the hate my parents spew at each other.

I’m done being treated like I don’t have any feelings.

No one—and I mean,no one—in this family gives a flying fuck about how I feel.

I stand up from the table and strap my purse over my shoulder.

“Just where do you think you’re going?” my mother says. “We’re not finished. I have my own announcement to make, your father i-”

I wave my hand, cutting her off. “Save it,Trish. I’m getting out of here from this wacko-ass family.”

I call her by her nickname. Why call her Mom when she doesn’t even act like one? She doesn’t even deserve that title.

They all look stunned at my words, with their mouths wide open.

They push me until I can’t take it anymore.

I hurry out of the dining room as fast as my legs can carry me, and I hear footsteps behind me as I rush through the hallway. I turn around to find Axel is on my heels. He stops by an expensive statue that mom had imported from Italy.

“Don’t follow me!”

I don’t want the golden child rubbing it in my face that he’ll be the new CEO.

We’re outside and the crickets sing in the background as the ground lamps light up my pathway to my black Mercedes. Lightning bugs, stars, and dim streetlamps brightens the dark sky.

“I’m on your side, Sadie.” His tone’s higher than his normal deep tone.

“Are you?” I lash out. I fiddle with my car keys, tap the pad unlocking the door. When I try to open the door, Axel blocks my way, leaning against door. He shoves his hands in his pockets.

“I told Dad to give it to you and that I don’t want the position. I want to travel to Europe with James.” He exhales and the night lights outline his jaw. James is his lifetime partner since high school. My parents weren’t to kin on the idea of him being gay. My dad isn’t a homophobic, he wants him to have a heir to the business, but my mom, she looks down on gay people. She finds it to be disgusting.

“Whatever.”

“Why do you always treat me as if I’m your enemy?” His tone is deep and laced with anger, and he folds his arms across his chest.

“Move out the way, Axel.” I try to push him out of the way, but he’s far too strong. I look like a pipsqueak.

“I can’t help that dad favors me. You’re punishing me for something that isn’t my fault.”

Hurt lingers in his face and his eyebrows knit together and his lips are thin.

“You don’t understand.”

He shakes his head. “No, I don’t. But I don’t want our relationship to be ruined over something that’s not my fault. We used to be so close when we were younger.”

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