Page 29 of Rejected By My Stepbrother Alpha
“Of course, I did. Don’t tell me you thought I was actually in love with that man? This past year has been about money, Ivy. Goddess, don't tell me you're that naive.” She put her hands on her hips. “But, I think I have a plan that will save us from living on the streets. You have to seduce Asher and convince him to take back his rejection and marry you. That way, when you're his wife, we'll both be able to live off of Russell's estate. You've already laid the groundwork for seducing him. I've seen the way you guys look at each other.”
I shook my head slowly back and forth, still processing the fact that my mother was even more selfish than I couldever imagine.
But I was done being passive when it came to her. If I didn't stand up for myself now, then when?
Adrenaline pulsed through me as I stalked toward my mother.
Her eyes widened in surprise.
“There is no way in hell I'm going to do that,” I said through gritted teeth, staring her down. I never wanted to see Asher again after he toyed with my feelings and rejected me. “I refuse to trick a man into marrying me. I'm not a ruthless, gold-digging bitch. I'm not you.” I took a step closer until we were an inch apart.
My hands shook with rage, and the hair on my neck raised like it always did before I shifted into my wolf.
But pride was also flooding through me. This was the first time in my life that I was standing up to my mom.
She bared her teeth at me, and her eyes narrowed. “First of all, back up.” She put her hands on my shoulders and gave me a hard shove, pushing me back against the wall.
Since she had taken me by surprise, I flew back, and my head hit the wall with a loud thud.
Shit!
My head spun, pulsing with pain.
“How dare you!” I said and pushed off the wall, walking back to her to show her I wasn't scared.
“No, Ivy, how dare you insult me after everything I've done for you over the years, you ungrateful little bitch!” she snapped, her voice steadily rising. “It's your fault that we're in this situation in the first place. I told you that you needed to visit Russell in the hospital! Asher probably used that as a way to convince his dad to take me out of his will. How are we supposed to live without that money? How can we afford our way of life?”
“Gee, Mom!” I yelled, my voice dripping with sarcasm. “I don't know…let's think real hard about this…oh, I know! Why don't you go out and get a real job instead of thinking up ways to scam another millionaire? You're a narcissistic liar, and I never want to see you again!”
My mom's face turned red with rage, and a fierce growl ripped from her mouth. Her hand shot up and she slapped me across the face.
Pain exploded on my cheek, but I wasn't going to allow her to see that she’d hurt me…in more ways than one.
“You will regret treating me this way,” she said, spun on her heel, walked to her room, and slammed the door shut.
I stood there and stared at the door as one tear slowly rolled down my stinging cheek.
Chapter 10
The Villain
Ivy
The loud classical music kept playing as I stared at my mother’s bedroom door. Holding back tears, I rubbed my throbbing cheek. That had been the first time my mother had ever hit me. I was used to her emotional abuse, but this was a new low, even for her.
My adrenaline had run out, and all that I was left with was sorrow.
I ran down the hallway to my room and slammed the door. With a quiet sob, I collapsed onto my bed and cried into my pillow.
How could my life change so much in one night? My Fated Mate rejected me, Russell was dead, and my mother had shown me what a truly awful person she was.
I cried until my purple pillow was wet with my salty tears. All while the pregnancy test I’d purchased was burning a hole in my pocket.
My period was late, and my cycle had always been consistent. I was rarely even a day late. That and the fact that I had thrown up this morning were the reasons I bought the pregnancy test.
But my late period, and even throwing up could just be from stress…
Right?
