Page 101 of Broken Grump

Her face is starting to get red, and it satisfies me beyond words that I’m getting under her skin.

“And actually, I have to thank you. Thank you so much for showing me hownotto treat my daughter. I’ve done the exact opposite as you, and Luna has turned out great. So, in a way—you showed me how to be a better mother than you could’ve ever hoped to be.”

Both of our chests are heaving at that point.

“Do you want to know why I never cared for you?” she asks with her jaw clenched tightly.

“Please.”I’d love to finally hear it out of the horse’s mouth.

“Because you threatened my position. Ever since you were born, you stole your father’s heart and then your grandfather’s. Before you,Iwas the star in their skies.”

Oh, God. It’s even more despicable than I thought.

“All those two men did was dote on you. They thought every little move and face you made was the cutest thing on Earth. It was infuriating. I completely disappeared. Like I said, your father went first, and then your grandpa after he died. You were Sal’s whole world.”

“Okay?” Coming from a mother myself, most women appreciated when others, and especially close family members, cared for their children and saw the same special qualities that they saw in them.

“Sal liked you better. He held you close, spent more time with you, and thoughtyouwere better suited to take over his company. It was all bullshit.” Her words seem almost like venom now. “All you ever did was undermine me.”

Shaking my head, all I can say is, “You’re pathetic, Mom. Absolutely pathetic. Please just leave!” I’m beyond sick of her.

“Make me,” she growls.

Oh, I’d love that.My fingers twitch at the mere thought of being wrapped around her turkey neck.

“I said, make me!”

As much as I wish I could resort to violence, I know that will only prove her point about me being unfit to run Flores Holdings. So, I calm my hands against my thighs and try to catch my breath.

“Just go,” I say with authority. “I honestly never want to talk to you again.” The distance would be a welcomed blessing.

But instead of leaving, she rests her chin on the back of her hand and says, “That’s it, huh?”

I don’t want to give in, but I have to know. So, I ask, “What are you talking about?”

“You’re going to refuse my generous offer just to protect that Cohen bastard again?” She laughs evilly. “Just like you did when you refused to name who got you pregnant all those years ago. But I knew. Everyone knew, Adriana.”

“Leave!” I’m fully yelling now. “Right now. I want you to leave!”

“Fine.” She finally gets up, intentionally spilling her wine on the table.

“Out.” I point.

But even after she exits, I hear her car screech down the driveway, And I’m still left shaking.

If everyone knew, why did Hayden refuse to see it until now?

Chapter twenty-eight

Hayden

I meant what Isaid. I intend to make things up to both Addie and Luna. And the first step in that direction is bringing dinner over to them after a full day of school and work.

Understandably, Addie sounded a little skeptical when I first brought up the idea. But after some prodding and light begging, she agreed to it. It didn’t hurt that I offered to bring her favorite pizza.

“But wait!” she said. “They’re closed today.”

“Don’t worry about that.” I had my ways, and I managed to call Danny, from Danny Boy’s Pizza, and work out a little deal.

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