Page 107 of Lyrical

Her demeanor started to shift. “I don’t think you know what you’re saying, Jillian. That illness must be catching up with you. Maybe you should skip the shower and just go lie down.”

“Whatever I do, along with the rest of my family, is no longer any of your concern. Now, get the hell out of my face because you’re not welcome here.”

“You’re making a mistake.” Gone was her smile, her lids narrowing. “Daniel’s in love with me. He told me himself. You wouldn’t want to hurt your only son like that, would you?”

“It’ll hurt him far worse to stay with you. He’s a smart guy. He won’t have any problems figuring that out. Because you were right about one thing, Cassie. You sure as hell aren’t good enough for him, and I’m going to make certain he knows that.”

We were done. I needed to get back to the party and away from the toxic sludge seeping into my yard. I began heading up the side, ready to round the corner to get to the back door, when she called out to me.

“I wouldn’t be so quick to leave,Jills.” I froze.Fuck you. “I know you wouldn’t want to miss what I have to say.”

I could hear her coming up behind me, and I could not have that. Shit. Was I going to end up having to call the cops just to make her leave my property? I could kick her ass out, but how was I supposed to keep her out?

I turned around and went back down. I could not have all those nice people inside privy to the ugly happening outside. “You need to leave.”

“Oh, I will. Don’t worry your haggard little head about that. You got to have your say. Now how would that be fair if I didn’t have mine?”

I steeled myself, reminding my brain that this was better. I’d take this real side of her over Little Miss Psycho Sunshine any day.

“Do you honestly think it’ll be that easy to remove me from Daniel’s life? You must have missed the part where I said he loves me. In fact, he loves me so much that I think he’d do just about anything for me. I imagine it’s the same kind of love Chase had for you.”

Her use of past tense didn’t escape me, but I wasn’t going to give her any satisfaction acknowledging it.

“Who do you think he’s going to side with here? The woman who’s an embarrassment because she runs around with a man half her age, or the woman he deeply loves and wants to marry someday?”

She was smiling, wickedness dripping from her mouth. I would not get riled, not when I knew she was going to say anything necessary to make me lose control. I’d let her finish her vitriol, and then she’d leave, or I’d quietly bury her in the woods. But whatever the outcome, I was strong enough not to give her the reaction I knew she hoped for.

“So, now that it’s clear that I’ll be keeping him, we can move on to the next subject—Chase.” Her lips curled higher. “Such a great guy but way too trusting for his own good. Although, I do believe that’ll all be changing soon. If you think for one second that picture didn’t do any damage, you’re more senile than I thought. His love has been tested. It’s already not the same as it was yesterday, and it’ll be even further gone by this time next week.”

“I’m needed inside, Cassie. Whatever other garbage you’re planning to shit out, I’d suggest you hurry up and do it. I’m not going to listen much longer.”

“Ah, she speaks. I was beginning to wonder if you forgot how.” She set the wrapped present on the ground, reminding me that she’d been holding it the whole time.

“You see, that wasn’t the only picture I took during your ménage. Only the most innocent.” She shook her head. “I told you it was all just a little joke. Too bad you didn’t want to listen to me. Too bad you couldn’t just leave things be.”

“I will not be threatened, Cassie.”

“But you should be scared. I highly doubt that Chase will appreciate seeing what else I have. They can’t be explained away so easily.” She started laughing. “I really am a lucky girl. Everywhere I go, things just seem to fall into my lap.”

I didn’t know what the fuck she was talking about, but my insides twisted painfully anyway. She was not to be underestimated.

“Daniel also told me about Chase’s impulsive side. Quite flattering, isn’t it? The way he’s willing to fight for you. I imagine how badly he’ll want details about the men you were with, and I wonder how far he’ll go to get it. You know him so well. What do you think he’ll be willing to do for me in exchange for information?”

She rubbed her lips. “Especially when his poor heart’s breaking, and he’ll do whatever it takes to stop the pain. But don’t worry. I’ll be there to comfort him all week, sharing those long days together. And if he’s hurting in the middle of the night, I’ll only be a room away.”

I couldn’t speak. I knew that once I opened my mouth, it’d all be over. I’d lose control, and then I’d either kill her slowly or I’d crumble to the ground. Neither was an option.

She clapped her hands together. “I’m so glad we had this little talk. You’re such a great listener, Jillian. Daniel will be thrilled to hear how well we’re connecting.”

With a big smile, she spun on her heel and skipped away. She didn’t get too far before my lips parted slightly and it spilled out before I could stop it. “You’re a fucking crazier bitch than I thought, Cassie, if you think you’ll ever have my son.”

Her loud, dramatic sigh was clearly heard, causing me to grind my feet into the soft ground to prevent them from running over and taking her down. I wasn’t a fighter, but I was so damn close to making that pretty face as ugly as what lay beneath it.

She turned her head. “I guess you’re not such a great listener after all. Weren’t you paying attention? I already have him. And if you think you have any influence over him, think again, sweetie. You’re not even his real mother.”

I felt the blow deep, everything liquefying inside me. She’d left after that, and I made it to the house while keeping all the swirling contained. Just barely. I darted to the unoccupied bathroom in the basement and dropped to my knees.

Then I finally allowed myself to lose control.

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