Page 147 of Lush

“And you agreed to it.”

“Because youforcedme into it!” I tried to breathe slowly. “You really think I’m just gonna throw him away for your fuckingambition?”

Mama’s eyes flashed. “Watch your mouth?—”

“No.” My voice was steady, sharp. “I’ve spent my whole life watching my mouth. Watching my steps. Doing what I was told,marryingwho I was told.I let you rip me away from him once. I let youwin.” I swallowed, my chest rising and falling too fast. “But I never stopped loving Reese. Not when I was pretendingto hate him. Not when I was sneaking around with him. Not when I was lying to myself foryou.”

Mama’s nostrils flared. “Laurene?—”

The door opened again, and we turned to see Reese as he stepped inside, looking rough around the edges.He froze as his gaze swept over the room, wary. And then he sawme.

I shifted, and my body betrayed me. I stumbled. Before I could catch myself, Reese was there, crossing the room in three long strides, hands firm on my waist, steadying me, pulling me from Erik. His grip was warm, solid—home.

I shook my head, my eyes never leaving Mama. Iwantedhim to hear this.

“You made me choose the family over my own damn happiness before. And I did it. I bled for this family. I sacrificed for this family. I let you carve me into the perfect fucking daughter. And you know what?” I let out a bitter laugh. “I don’t want it. Not like this. Not if it means choosing pain over love. Not if it means ending up like you.”

I looked over at my siblings. Gigi looked scared and awed. Serena was a mix of surprise and maybe some disappointment. Erik nodded at me, grinning.

“I’m done,” I said to Mama, voice stronger now. “I don’t want my inheritance. I don’t want a fuckingdimefrom you. And Ineverwant to see you again until you can look me in the eye andapologize.Until you get help.”

Mama stood there blinking at me.

“Get out.”

She glanced toward my siblings, searching for someone—anyone—to side with her, but none of them moved. They stood behind me, silently.

Mama’s gaze flicked to Daddy, a silent plea for him to intervene. But he didn’t. Not this time.

“Vincent?” she snapped, but he only shook his head.

“This has been a long time coming, Vonnie…”

And then she stormed out, the door slamming shut behind her, leaving a heavy silence in its wake.

I didn’t feel the relief I expected. Instead, it was like I had just stepped off a cliff. The freefall was terrifying, but also exhilarating. I wasfree. Free from her, from everything that had kept me tethered to a family that never understood me.

My legs buckled underneath me. Reese was there immediately, his strong arms catching me. His face was drawn, concern flickering in his eyes, but there was a quiet strength in him. The kind I had always needed.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” I whispered, the words barely coming out, my throat tight.

I looked over at my family.

“Holy shit, I think I just pissed myself,” Gigi finally said.

Erik nodded. “I think I gotta agree with G.”

Serena only stared at the door Mama left through.

Reese gently helped me to the bed. I sank into the sheets, exhaustion suddenly flooding my body. He sat beside me, watching me closely, his brow furrowed.

“You meant those words,” he said, his voice quiet but heavy with meaning.

“Yes, I meant them,” I said. “I’m done with all of it. I can’t live for them anymore. I’m living formenow. For us.”

Reese’s eyes softened, and he leaned in, brushing his lips against mine. It was tender—real. And for the first time, I felt like I was exactly where I was meant to be.

---