Page 42 of The Heiress

“We’re not asking for forever,” my mother interjects. “Just… time. A pause. Let things cool down. Let the Antonettis see that you’re still open to their son. Or at least not publicly defiant of our values.”

I stare at her. “You want me to pretend to be interested in him?”

“Long enough to keep the deal intact.”

“Do you hear yourselves?” My heart is racing as I defiantly stand up to my parents. “You want me to lie to the world to keep your shelves stocked?”

Daddy frowns. “It’s not like that.”

“Then what is it like? Because to me, it sounds like I’m only acceptable when I’m convenient. You’re okay with me being in a sapphic relationship as long as I’m quiet about it. As long as I don’t embarrass you.”

Lorde stands beside me, hand brushing mine again. The tension vibrates off her. She’s a bomb ready to detonate. I’m only slightly more stable.

Daddy looks tired. “I raised you to be strong, Daisy. But being strong sometimes means sacrifice. If you love this family—”

“I do,” I say. “But I also love her.”

There’s a long, painful silence.

My mother speaks again. “You’re young. You might feel differently in a year.”

“I might. But right now, I don’t. And if you’re asking me to walk away from the first person who’s made me feel like love is real… then I can’t do that.”

Daddy nods once. “Then we’re at an impasse.”

We leave without another word.

Outside, I don’t cry. I almost expect to, but I don’t. Lorde’s the one who breaks the silence.

“Well, that went great.”

I snort. “Was it the part where you told my dad his soul was for sale, or when I announced I was queer like I was slamming a gavel in court?”

She grins. “Definitely the gavel. Very dramatic. Ten out of ten, Daze.”

We get into the car. It takes a minute before either of us says anything.

Finally, I say, “That was probably it. I’m pretty sure they disowned me in the most polite, Italian way possible.”

Lorde’s hand finds mine again. “I’m proud of you.”

“I’m terrified.” I look at her, this ridiculous, stubborn, impossible woman who somehow loves me back. And I realize something. “I think we should do something stupid.”

Her eyes light up. “I love stupid. And it’s been a whole day since I did something reckless. Starting to get withdrawal, Daze.”

“I meanreallystupid.”

“If this is your way of proposing we rob a bank, I’m already halfway to the ski masks.”

I lean back in my seat and whisper, “Let’s get married.”

She laughs. Soon, she realizes I’m serious.

“What the fuck, Daze.”

“Let’s fly to Vegas. Get hitched. Make it real.”

Lorde’s smile grows until it splits her whole face.

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