Page 146 of Lush

“You mean before it affects the family,” I said, voice flat.

“Before it dragsyoudown,” she corrected me. “Do you really want to tie yourself to a sinking ship?”

Something burned in my chest, anger and exhaustion and something too raw to name. “Reese is my husband.”

“And? Your great-grandmother had five husbands! We’re talking about survival. About the legacy we’ve spent generations cultivating. We cut the Ashbournes loose. Let’s just void our deal with them and handle Dante another way.”

Maybe she was right. Maybe Reesewasa risk.

But he wasmyrisk.

I sat up a little straighter, ignoring the ache in my ribs. “I’m not leaving my husband.”

Mama’s lips pressed into a thin line. “Laurene?—”

“I mean it.” My voice didn’t waver. “I made vows, and I’m not breaking them just because it’s inconvenient for you. I love him.”

“Love?” She scoffed, and walked to the center of the room, standing at the foot of my bed. “I told you about love. Now you love him after a month? I’m giving you the easy way out. You never wanted to marry the boy. He was always a backup plan.”

I looked at Daddy, hoping that he’d saysomething.

For a moment, he just watched, his eyes flicking between me and Mama. Then, he exhaled through his nose and turned to Mama.

“Yvonne.” His voice was even, but there was an edge underneath. “Laurene’s made her decision.”

Mama barely spared him a glance. “She’s emotional. She isn’t thinking clearly.”

“She just survived a car crash, Yvonne. I think she’s thinking clearer than most people would be in her position.” Daddy stepped forward, planting himself between us. “It’s her decision.”

“Vincent.” Mama looked at him, shock across her features, and her gaze went from him to me and back again. “Do you realize what’s at stake? Dante just approved the redevelopment of downtown. He’s bypassing us, we’ve just lost millions.”

“Like the deal you wanted to force him that would have eliminated all the other businesses and families? Augustus King wanted this town foreveryone,not just us,” I snapped.

My siblings all looked at her, even Daddy. She had the gall to look crazy.

“He told you that? It was private—” Mama said.

“I’m not focused on deals right now,” he cut in. “Laurene isn’t a child. She understands the consequences.” His gaze flicked to me. “I’ve allowed you to dictate us for years, Yvonne. It stops now. And if she’s willing to stand by Reese, then we need to respect that.”

Mama scoffed, stepping closer. “Respect?”

“Yes,respect,” he said. “We didn’t raise our children to be weak. We raised them to be smart, to be independent, to make their own choices. And she’s making one now.”

Mama’s nostrils flared, and she turned to me. “You can find another man, sweetie.”

I shoved the blankets off and swung my legs over the side of the bed. Erik quickly came to my aid, and I held his hands. A sharp pain shot through me but I kept moving toward Mama.

“Laurene—” Daddy started, stepping toward me.

I needed to stand for this. Needed her to see me, not just as her daughter, not as a piece on her chessboard, but as a woman making her own damn choices.

“And what exactly do you think this little display is going to prove?” Mama arched a brow, unimpressed. “You had sex with him, and now your emotions are all twisted up?”

Daddy exhaled sharply. “Yvonne?—”

“What? Am I wrong?” Her eyes flicked back to me. “Love don’t pay settlements, don’t protect us from scandal, don’t undo a business deal already in motion.”

I clenched my fists, my nails biting into my palms. “This marriage wasyourdeal. Not mine.”

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