Page 79 of Beyond the Hate

“This is not teasing,” I grumble. “They’re being cruel to your daughter, your own flesh and blood, and you’re standing there allowing it to happen. You’re supposed to be Paisley’s mom.”

“She’s our mother, too,” Regan claims.

“Then, she should have taught you to be nice.”

She bats her eyelashes. “I can be nice.”

“Not nice to a man to get what you want but nice to your sister.”

She flicks her hand. “Paisley knows we’re teasing.”

“I can’t believe you put up with this,” I say to Paisley.

“I only see them on holidays or birthdays or when they want something.”

I don’t have to ask what they want. Darcy stole Paisley’s college boyfriend so now Regan thinks she can steal Paisley’s current boyfriend. Good thing I’m not an idiot the way Paisley’s ex obviously is.

“Is it someone’s birthday?” I ask.

“Nope.”

“And it’s not a holiday. I guess it’s time for them to leave then.”

Her eyes widen in surprise. “You want them to leave?”

I pinch her chin. “Do you want them to stay?”

Her nose wrinkles and I can’t resist kissing it. “No.”

“Then, they should leave.”

At my announcement, warmth floods Paisley’s eyes and happiness radiates from her. I want to make her happy every day. Especially when it’s as easy as kicking her evil stepsisters and worthless mother out of her house.

Regan stomps her foot. “This is bullshit.”

“Let me guess. Someone isn’t used to not getting what she wants.”

Paisley giggles. “Except her husband left her for her best friend.”

“My husband did not leave me for my best friend,” Regan shrieks.

“Oh, I’m sorry.” Paisley bites her lip and looks contrite. Little liar is a terrible actress. “Do I have the terminology incorrect? What is the proper terminology when your husband starts living with your best friend?”

“Maybe I kicked him out first.”

Paisley’s brow wrinkles as if she’s confused. “Does the sequence matter? Since he started living with her immediately it doesn’t seem as if it does. I could be wrong.”

“You bitch!” Regan screams and lunges for Paisley.

I step in front of her and hold up my hand. “Touch Paisley and we’re going to have more problems than we already do.”

“Come on.” Darcy pushes Regan toward the door. “We might as well leave. It’s obvious Paisley has him brainwashed. There’s no other way a billionaire would date her.”

I start to correct her, but there’s no use. Paisley’s stepsisters are delusional if they think they’re better than Paisley. Paisley iseverything – brains and beauty plus she’s funny and phenomenal in bed. She’s the whole package.

Eleanor rushes to follow Darcy and Regan. “It was lovely meeting you,” she says as she passes us.

“I wish I could say the same.”

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