Page 58 of Breaking
Troy chose his mother's house for this conversation for one reason-he didn't want to have to kick them out of his own. The sterile, museum-like space where he and his siblings had grown up felt like the perfect setting for what was about to unfold.
Margaret was already fuming by the time he stepped into the drawing room, her face flushed an angry shade of red. Her double chins wobbled as she spewed indignation while pacing in front of the grand fireplace. She was the storybook picture a grandmother if not for her sour disposition and the tongue of a viper.
"That tramp has poisoned you against us!" she snapped, her voice sharp enough to cut glass. "After everything Lila has done for you, this is how you repay her? That gold-digging little-"
"Enough."
Troy's voice was colder than they'd ever heard it-steely, edged with finality.
Margaret stopped mid-rant, blinking in shock. Grant, who had been sitting stiffly on the settee, opened his mouth to interject, but Troy's gaze snapped to him.
"Not a word from you either, Grant," he warned. "Your wife has treated Jenna like trash for years, and you let it happen. You have no place defending anything right now."
Grant swallowed hard and looked away.
Troy turned back to his mother; his jaw tight. "Jenna was nothing but a good wife, a good mother and a good daughter to you. And you-you never let her forget that she wasn't one of us. Every snide remark about her upbringing, every veiled insult about her lack of parents-you made damn sure she always knew she wasn't welcome." His voice dropped, deadly quiet. "That ends today."
Margaret's mouth opened and closed, her fury momentarily stunned into silence. It was like the dog she had trained from puppyhood had suddenly bit her hand. Eleanor, sitting rigidly in the corner, cast a wary glance between them.
"You think I don't know why I was home-schooled?" Troy continued, his voice hard. "It wasn't about helping me. It was about making sure no one ever saw what you thought was wrong with me. You were ashamed that I didn't speak when other kids did, that I couldn't connect the way you wanted me to. It was never about me, Mother. It was about your precious appearances."
His mother bristled, but before she could speak, he went on. "Lila is not welcome in my home. She was never anything more than an employee, and if any of you try to force her into my life again, we will no longer have a relationship." His hazel eyes locked onto Margaret's, sharp as steel.
She sputtered, her fingers clenching into fists. But she looked away. "Don't give me that look, Troy."
"You are my mother, and I will always love you," he said evenly. "But I have never liked you. In fact, I have hated you on more than one occasion. Though I have never wished you dead, it has often been a close call."
The room went deathly silent. Even the clock on the mantel seemed to hesitate.
Max and Lilly, who sat quietly to the side, didn't move.
"You did what you thought was best for you," Troy continued, his voice as controlled as a blade sliding into place. "But my kids are lucky. They have a mother who actually loved them-not someone cold, calculating, and obsessed with appearances. You never did anything for your children's sake, Margaret. Not once."
Margaret's breath came in short, furious puffs. "That is not true. Everything I did-"
"Was for you," Troy interrupted. "Father was broke but had a perfect bloodline. Your ancestors were filthy rich from mining. You married each other for your own reasons, but love was never part of the equation." He let the words settle before adding, "And you have never been able to stand seeing anyone else have what you never did."
Eleanor flinched, but Grant still remained silent.
Troy's tone softened, just slightly. "Your meddling nearly destroyed Grant's marriage-not that Victoria wasn't a nightmare on her own-but you made it worse. You still have Eleanor under your thumb, still interfering in her life like she's a child." He shook his head. "I think you have done enough but Grant and Ellie can speak for themselves."
Margaret's face had turned a blotchy shade of red, fury spilling off her in waves.
Troy didn't waver. His voice was quieter now, but firm. "I know this is none of your business, but I'll tell you anyway. I needed Jenna more than she ever needed me. And she will have half of everything if the divorce happens. Everything." He met her eyes and delivered the final blow. "And I'll still go after her. No matter how long it takes."
Silence.
Grant and Eleanor were stunned, their shock almost visible in the heavy air of the room.
Margaret's rage reached its peak, her mouth twisting in anger, hands trembling.
But before she could unleash it, Troy lifted a hand. "Anyone who has something negative to say has no place in my life. Not another word."
Max and Lilly, who had been silent observers this entire time, exchanged a glance.
Max's voice was quiet but firm. "In ours too."
Margaret let out a strangled noise, but Troy had already turned away. There was nothing left to discuss.
