Page 50 of Changing Rules

“Sweetheart, I—I’m so sorry,” Cordelia stammers, lowering her head. “I had my suspicions, but I kept telling myself it wasn’t my business, that she distanced herself from me because I was overbearing. I didn’t want to make things worse. I was afraid she’d shut me out completely if I scolded her; I thought maybe she wouldn’t let me see you. I never should’ve waited so long. I failed you, Isabella.”

“You hardly saw me,” Bella says, her tone as flat as her expression. “And when you did, you never really tried to get to know me.” She slips her hands into her lap. “If you’d stood up for me, at least I would’ve known you cared, that you thought I was important. You never showed me that until today, and?—”

“It’s too late, isn’t it?” Cordelia looks up, her eyes glassy. “I burned this bridge long before I even realized it was on fire.”

Bella averts her eyes, taking a deep breath. “I need to use the bathroom. Excuse me.”

She slowly stands and walks out of the room, leaving me alone with her grandmother. This dinner is going worse than I could’ve imagined, and the food hasn’t even been served yet.

“You probably despise us all,” Cordelia says, her tone defeated. “You’re fortunate to have a healthy relationship with your parents. I fear our family is too dysfunctional to ever get to that point. How could I raise a daughter like Samantha? That’s what you’re thinking, right?” she asks. “How could I let her destroy my only granddaughter?” Her shoulders droop further.“How blind and delusional I’ve been. How did I not notice what was happening right under my nose?”

Those last few words rattle around in my brain. I stiffen, trying to grasp the sudden thought that flashes in my mind, but it leaves me as quickly as it appeared.

Shit. It’s important, I’m sure it is.

Frowning, I adjust my posture and turn to Cordelia. “Bella needs time, and she needs to be surrounded by the right people before she’ll feel comfortable enough to open up. You’ve never given her a reason to trust you. I don’t know if she can find it in herself to forgive you. At least, not yet.”

“When I found her diary, I didn’t read it right away. I figured it was her secret; she hid it for a reason. But I was curious, and a bit lonely, so one day I thought—why not? She’s an adult now. What would it hurt to read what she wrote as a young girl?”

Her face contorts in pain, and she closes her eyes.

“What I discovered shook me to the core. I knew my daughter was strict with Isabella, but I never suspected she hated her, that she spent years enjoying her own life while neglecting her child.” Cordelia picks up her napkin and dabs at her eyes. “The poor girl had no one to turn to, so she put all her hurt on paper. All she ever wanted was love. She wanted to be loved by her mother, by Kevin.” Her voice wobbles. “And all she got was the silent treatment, or, worse—threats she’d be kicked out of the house for being too nosy. Samantha is a horrible person, and that’s my fault. I raised a monster.”

Cordelia is still dabbing at her eyes, and I’m at a loss for words when someone steps into the room behind me. I glance over my shoulder, expecting Bella. Instead, it’s Samantha holding a serving bowl.

I have to hold back a scoff. Is she seriously planning to continue with this stupid dinner? As if none of the shit that has been uncovered tonight really happened?

Maybe I shouldn’t be so shocked. Samantha totally dismissed her daughter when she tried to tell her what Kevin had done to her. This woman feels no compassion, no tenderness, no love.

I hate her.

“Kevin went to change his clothes and wash his face. When he’s back, we can start dinner.”

Wash his face?

What are the chances he’s cornering Bella at this exact moment?

Heart hammering, I stand. The move is so abrupt, my chair wobbles.

“Uh, excuse me. I should use the bathroom before dinner starts.”

Samantha sets a dish on the table, then gives me a smile that lacks even an ounce of warmth. She has a heart made of ice, I have no doubt.

“Sure.” She nods to the hallway. “It’s the first door on your right.”

“Thanks.” I rush out of the room, ignoring her hushed words to her mother. She’s probably talking about me, but I couldn’t give a shit.

I knock on the bathroom door, and when I’m met with silence, I ease it open.

Empty.

Where is Bella? Is it possible she went to her old room? She mentioned wanting to pick up a few things from her childhood while she was here. Maybe she’s gathering them?

Cursing under my breath, I head upstairs, my movements slow and silent.

The second my foot touches the landing, I hear her voice.

“I told you to stay away from me. I told you not to touch me.”

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