Page 50 of Sinful Pleasure

I should have known this would be the first thing she’d ask.

Not, ‘How are you? Or are you okay?’ No, it was all about Angelo and the future she was already picturing for me.

“He’s fine,” I replied flatly.

“That’s all?” She stopped in her tracks, her disappointment in my answer as clear as day.I sighed, frustration rising inside me.

“What did you expect to hear, mother?” My voice broke off the silence. “If you thought I was going to say I’ve already fallen madly in love with him, you’re going to have to let go of that fantasy. Because I’m not.”

Her face scrunched in momentary confusion, but it quickly morphedinto an insistent smile. “I’m sure that will change soon.”

It took everything in me not to roll my eyes at her dismissive response.

“Don’t hold your breath on that one,” I added, my voice edged withsarcasm.

“Give him a chance,” she continued. “Angelo is a good man who will provide you with a future.”

“That’s the problem, mother,” I said, my words sharp now. “I don’t want a man to provide my future. I want to build it myself.”

She halted as well, her face almost frozen in shock, as though she couldn’t comprehend what I’d just said.

“I don’t want to depend on a man.” My voice trembled slightly, but I stood firm. “I want to be able to make my own decisions and earn my own money. I want to be with someone I choose, not someone chosen for me.”

My mother sighed, shaking her head as though I was speaking a foreign language.

“We’ve already talked about this, Allyn. Your father—”

“Yes, I know,” I cut her off sharply, not wanting to hear the same tired justification again. “He chose it for me. I get it. You don’t have to keep reminding me.”

She reached out to touch my hand.

Her touch should have been comforting, but it felt anything but.

“You have to look at the bright side, Allyn. Think of all the possibilities this marriage opens up for you.”

I laughed, the sound hollow and bitter.

“Whatever’’ I muttered, already turning toward the house. “I’ll see you at dinner.”

I didn’t wait for her response, walking away before she could say anything more to twist the knife.

I headed straight to my room, letting the door close behind me with a satisfying click.

Moments ago, I’d been excited to be back home.

Now, all I wanted was to escape again. My mother had managed to ruin everything within minutes.

*****

“Where are we going tonight?”

Lydia asked, flopping dramatically onto my bed after dinner.

I glanced up from my phone.

“I’m texting Tamara now,” I said. “She’ll be here soon.”

“Tamara?” Lydia’s interest piqued. “The famous Tamara you always talk about?”

---