Page 14 of Innocent Union
I can’t help myself. I scoff. “Support me? The men will see you, take one look, and would rather be with you than me. It’s not fair. You got your happy ending. I supported you with that. Don’t ruin mine.”
Cecilia flinches. “Mia, I’m sorry my actions have hurt you.”
Theo comes over. “Mia, don’t talk to Cecilia like that. She’s trying to be here for you.”
“You were our bodyguard, and then you fell for my sister. That’s creepy, Theo.” I know I’m being petty. I know I’m trying to hurt both of them.
And I don’t care.
Theo sighs deeply. “I didn’t have feelings for Cecilia until she was an adult.”
“You keep telling yourself that.” I brush past them, and I would have walked out of the ballroom, except the doors open again, and a group of men enter.
I stop short. They all see me. For a second, I have hope something good can come of this night.
But then the first man near the front of the group smirks and says, “At least she’s trying to look prettier tonight, gents.” His eyes travel past me to land on Cecilia. He whistles. “Now, that’s a beautiful woman.”
The tears come before I can stop them, and I walk past the men.
“Mia,” Mom calls out. I keep walking until I find the nearest bathroom. Shutting myself into the stall, I let all my tears out.
All my frustration, all my anger, all my embarrassment. Of course, I’m ugly. I tried to look my best tonight, and these men are still cruel about it.
And I acted like a petty bitch to Cecilia and Theo. I know it’s not fair to blame them. They were just trying to find love as I am now. But it’s so hard when I feel so lonely.
I wipe my tears and leave the bathroom. I won’t let these men make me feel horrible about myself.
I stop when I hear them talking in the hallway.
“Did you see her in that dress?” one says. “Damn. I’d fuck her. Still not as pretty as her sister, but I’d fuck her.”
“I doubt she’s a virgin,” another one says. “Her sister was fucking their bodyguard. Who knows who Mia has fucked.”
“No, I think she’s definitely a virgin,” a different man says. “What man would touch her when she’s not even pretty?”
I’m ready to tell these men off. How dare they speak like this about me? About Cecilia?
I prepare myself to confront them when I hear another voice join the conversation. One I recognize.
“Do you guys have no shame? You’re all little fuckers with tiny dicks because you can’t get a woman, so you have to talk shit about a woman. What is wrong with you?”
It’s Killian.
“Well, if you want her, you’re welcome to have her,” the first man says.
“You guys are fucking disgusting,” Killian says. I gasp. I don’t think I’ve ever heard him cuss before. He’s normally so jovial at our family dinner nights—when he gets the chance to actually join, that is.
The men laugh as Killian walks away. Why would he stand up for me? Because he knows I’m Antonio’s sister and wants to make sure I’m ok. It’s sweet but confusing. A man like Killian would never look at me in a million years.
To go back into the ballroom, I’ll need to walk past the group of men. Fine. Let them know they can’t hurt me.
I keep my head held high as I walk past them.
They whistle and catcall.
“Why don’t you stay out here with us, Mia?” a blond man asks. He looks similar to George Johnson, which means I want nothing to do with him.
“Why? So you can badmouth me some more?” I ask, turning to face them head on.
