Page 91 of The Misfit

I’ve never been so relieved to see Lee’s mother in my life. She stands there in her perfect Chanel suit, designer handbag, with an expression that could freeze hell. Marcus actually rears back like he’s ready to leap to his feet and run.

“Mrs. Sterling, I was just?—”

“Just leaving.” She doesn’t raise her voice, doesn’t need to. Power radiates from her like a force field. “Unless you’d like me to call your father? I’m having lunch with him tomorrow. Board meeting, you know.”

The threat lands perfectly. Marcus retreats, throwing one last dark look my way before disappearing into the morning crowd. My hands shake in their silk prison as I try to count breaths and find my center again.

“May I?” Katherine gestures to the chair across from me, the picture of polite society. When I don’t immediately answer, she adds, “That boy has always been trouble. Your misfortune with his … behavior hasn’t gone unnoticed.”

My throat closes up. Does she know about that night? If she didn’t have me background checked, or whatever, she probably just heard it from Marcus.

“Thank you,” I manage. “For making him leave.”

“Of course, dear.” She slides into the seat with practiced grace. “We society women must stick together, mustn’t we?”

But I’m not a society woman. That’s the whole point. That’s why she will never approve of me with Lee. That’s why?—

“You look surprised.” Her smile is perfect, practiced, and predatory. “Did you think I didn’t notice how you handled the gala?”

Warning bells ring in my head, even as a blush creeps up my neck, but I can’t find my voice. Can’t count my way out of this conversation.

“Lee tells me you’re doing better in crowds,” she continues, smoothing her already perfect skirt. “That you just need more exposure to our lifestyle.”

The praise feels wrong coming from her lips. Like poison wrapped in honey.

“I … yes.” I resist the urge to count the sugar packets arranged on the table. “Things are better. Will be better.” I glance in the direction of Marcus’s retreating form. “Sometimes large crowds rattle me, but things are better,” I repeat, more firmly this time.

“They are, aren’t they?” Her smile widens slightly. “For both of you. Lee’s been so much more … controlled lately. Behaving more suitably. More like the son I always knew he could be. Except for that little scene at the gala, which for him, was rather tame, if I’m being honest.”

Something in her tone makes my skin crawl beneath my gloves. This isn’t a casual coffee shop encounter. This isn’t a coincidence. She came looking for me.

“Mrs. Sterling?—”

“Katherine, please.” She reaches across the table, stopping just short of touching my gloved hand. “I think it’s time we had a proper chat, don’t you? Woman to woman. About Lee’s future. About what’s best for him.”

The sugar packets suddenly look very countable.

The ceiling tiles very measurable.

The space between us very finite.

“You’ve made remarkable progress, or so I’ve been told,” Katherine says, stirring her untouched tea with precise movements. “Even your gloves at the party—so much more elegant than those latex ones you usually wear.”

Told by whom? Is she having me watched?

My glove-covered fingers twitch against the cup. These gloves were Lee’s gift. His way of making my barriers beautiful instead of medical.

“And Lee,” she continues, her voice softening with practiced care. “He’s grown so much since being with you. More controlled. More focused. Finally living up to the Sterling name.”

There’s a trap here somewhere, hidden beneath her honey-coated words. I stay silent, counting the ripples in my cooling tea.

“And that’s exactly why you need to leave him.”

What did she just say? I’m so shocked I have to ask her to repeat herself. “What did you just say?”

“You heard me, dear. I know it’s rather gauche of me to have to ask, but I need you to think about it.” Katherine leans forward, her perfectly manicured hands clasped on the table. “You’ve helped him find balance. Shown him how to control his impulses. Given him the tools he needs to be the man he’s always meant to be.”

“I don’t understand.”But I do.I understand very fucking well.

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