Page 121 of Hawthorne

Not until this point.

Willing my hands not to shake, I pick it up and rip the edge. A set of four white and thick papers are placed inside. A frown etches my face as I spare a confused glance at my mother. They’re empty.

“Turn them around,” she orders coldly.

And as I do, I let my expression slip for a second. A second too long because she notices the widening in my eyes, the clenching of my fist, and the sharp intake of breath I take. That one second is enough to bring my resolve to the ground. Dig it in a hole and bury it six feet under because I now know what her goal is.

I’ve been careless, dismissing her by being too focused on my feelings. Too blind to see her as a real problem, as a real threat. Love is blind, they say.

Now I understand.

“How–” I cut myself off. I can’t even finish my question.

There’s no need to. Mother dearest knows exactly what I mean.

“Not hard with how careless you are,” she scoffs, taking one more sip of her whisky. “You men are all the same. The only thinking you do is with the wrong head.”

The four pictures that had been in my hand fall to the desk. The quality is not that good because of the strong zooming system, with a long-distance camera for sure. But they’re clearenough to show the both of us. On the first, Camilla is undressing for me while I sit at my desk. The one right next to it, has Camilla deepthroating me as I fist her hair. The third, with Camilla on her hands and knees while I fuck her from behind. And the last…with Camilla wrapping her arms around my neck, tight, as we kiss hungrily.

All those moments I can easily place them in my memory. Every moment spent together has been...unforgettable. But as I look at these pictures, they are perfectly taken and—most probably—purposely picked to make her look like a seductress. A deviant woman who is trying her hardest to get her prize.The lottery.

The most important man right after the king.

“This is just cruel,” I whisper, defeated.

My mother’s cheeks redden, and her hand slams on the desk again, answering me with a booming voice, “Cruel is to have a half-assed Asian little girl, a simple maid, to come around and manipulate you into renouncing what’s rightfully ours just so she can have a lavish life.”

Many years ago, I’d cower to this version of her. Not anymore and especially not after this stunt. I can’t help but chuckle, a strong but bitter laugh escaping me, making her frown.

“Half-assed Asian? A little girl? A simple maid?” I seethe. “She might not have the blue blood you so truly desire, nor the titles, but she’s ten times the woman you’ll ever be!”

My head swivels to the side upon impact. The unexpected hit is a clear response to my provocation, but I still show no reaction, simply holding my jaw and slowly massaging it.

“See?” She seethes, standing up. “This is why! You’re completely blinded by lust!”

“I am inlove,” I yell, punching the desk, feeling it giving in underneath my knuckles. “And your words...Rightfully ours? If that kid died and the king is about to follow, what do you think?You’ll become queen? You’re my mother. It’s my future wife who will become queen.Not you!”

“Listen here…” Rounding the desk, she matches my stance, pointing her index at my chest. “You either do as I say, when I say, and how I say, or else I’ll drag your little whore through the mud. I have two people I entrusted with all the information that could destroy her. They have one hell of a story in their possession…how she manipulated and brainwashed you into stepping down, just so you could give her the life she so desperately wanted. You choose her instead of me…if you cross me, you’ll have nothing to love in the end.”

Her voice twists mockingly at the mention of love, and it just cracks my heart.

“No.”

“No?” She laughs. “Look at those pictures, Vincent, and tell me what you see. I see an enthralled, innocent man being played by an opportunist. I can see the headlines already. Want to hear them?”

I shake my head, but she ignores it, quoting, “‘Housekeeper gets settled for life after sleazing into the duke’s bed’ or do you prefer ‘Golddigger: Maid manages to seduce the second most powerful man in the kingdom’.”

She’s none of those.

I pursued her, not the other way around. It’s not fair that she has to deal with the consequences of my actions. And I knew this world was not fair, but this…

And coming from my mother of all people. It’s devastating.

The betrayal and grudge are mixing into my DNA, bringing that furious, uncontrollable side of me out. The one that wants to destroy everything just to protect her.

Massaging my forehead, I try to contain it. The woman before me is still my mother, no matter how much she is hurting me right now…No matter how much I learn to hate her.

“She’ll be devastated. I’ve seen how fragile she is,” she taunts, breaking the long silence. “Even if you choose her, she’ll hate you for bringing this upon the both of you.”

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