Page 2 of Fractured Constellations
“What? All I’m saying is that if they have to deliver shitty news, the least they could do is get a man all buff and inked up with grim reaper vibes to deliver it.” I shrug, and this time, she can’t stop the laughter from barking out of her.
“I blame your father,” she says, stepping over to me and brushing the short curls off my face.
“I never knew him, so how can it be his fault?” I ask, hand on my hip. According to Mom, Dad didn’t want anything to do with me, being pretty young himself, though older than her by a couple of years. So it’s just been us two, and sometimes, we’re more like sisters than mother and daughter, but all this cancer shit has strained our relationship. Another reason to hate it.
“Bad genes,” she replies instantly, and it’s my turn to bark a laugh. She’s used this argument before, always to poke fun at me when we both know that we’re eerily similar. “Come on, let’s get home and we can think about this mess.”
My stomach tightens. I hate being a problem. A mess. Something that needs solving or fixing. Although I can’t deny the truth of that last one. I do need fixing, because if there wasn’t something fundamentally broken, how could the cancer keep coming back?
CHAPTER ONE
“WAKE ME UP” BY TOMMEE PROFITT, FLEURIE
LUNA
Of fucking course it’s raining, though my inner witch tells me it’s because I’m in a foul mood and the weather is sympathizing. Today is moving day, a major fucking surprise when I didn’t even know Mom was dating.
Apparently she met Richard Banks about five months ago at a charity gala that she was a waitstaff for. Ironically, it was a cancer charity, and Richard is the owner of some big pharmaceutical company, Banks Industries, that specializes in innovative cancer treatments. My spidey senses tingled at that one.
Mom says it was a whirlwind romance, and they eloped last week, a couple of days after my diagnosis. I can’t help wondering if this is another of her sacrifices, though she does seem happy, and I think the money helps. The Banks are seriously rich, like top one percent rich.
We are heading to their McMansion in Greenwich, Connecticut. It’s one of the most expensive places to live, home to many politicians, business leaders, and professionals, of which clearly the Banks family belongs.
I’m going to stick out like a sore, diseased thumb.
I begged Mom not to tell Richard of my illness, but apparently that ship sailed before I even met him. She did mention he had triplet sons: Blade, Thorn, and Chase. All are two years older than me and attending Harvard, so aren’t at home during term time. She assured me that they’re lovely because she met them briefly before they all went off on some internship in Europe or something. They don’t know about my illness, and she promised that neither she nor Richard will tell them, thank fuck. It’s my body, so it really should be up to me who knows.
We’re currently sitting in the back of a Rolls-Royce. Percy, our driver—I know, what the actual fuck has my life become—is navigating the busy streets and the early summer downpour.
“You’re going to love the house,” Mom gushes, practically vibrating with excitement, and heat fills my chest at the happiness written all over her face. She’s also lost that constantly stressed look since her marriage, so I can’t be too pissed really. “It’s incredible, Luna love. There’s a pool, sauna, steam room, hot tub, plus tennis courts! And they have a couple of vacation properties they spend some of the holidays in, which is just as beautiful.”
I blow out a breath, forcing my lips into a smile even as my gut churns. How the fuck am I meant to fit in here? I’ve missed so much growing up because I was fighting just to live. I’m that awkward bitch who always says the wrong thing, so I mostly try to keep out of everyone’s way, which doesn’t always work because apparently my mouth hasn’t gotten that memo.
How am I meant to mingle with all the rich and elite members of society when I fucked up with the plebs?
“We’re here!” Mom squeals, and through the windshield, I get a glimpse of my new home.
My mouth goes dry when we pass through wrought-iron gates and a high fence that hides the mansion, and my mouth drops when it comes into view. It’s fucking enormous, all pale stone with so many windows I lose count.
We pull up outside the front steps, and two people rush down the steps with umbrellas, one opening Mom’s door and the other coming around to open mine.
“Welcome, Miss,” the gentleman says. He’s maybe in his early fifties, with slicked-back gray hair and gray bushy eyebrows, and he holds out his hand for me to take. “My name is Jerry.”
Still in shock at this entire setup, I take it, letting him help me out of the car as Percy gets my luggage from the boot. The old guy tucks my hand into the crook of his elbow, holding the umbrella over both of us as he leads me towards the steps.
“Lorelei! This storm is something else, right?” a deep, masculine voice calls, and I look up to see my mom already at the top, walking into the man’s open arms. I assume this is Richard, my mystery stepdad. His hair is a dark brown, still thick and styled back from his face. He’s trim with a chiseled jaw, and he’s dressed in a button-up and slacks. “Come, let’s get you inside and out of the rain.”
With that, he tucks her under his arm and pulls her inside.
Fucking rude asshole!
What hurts more is she doesn’t even look back, just gazes up at him as she leaves me behind. My chest tightens at being abandoned so casually, but Jerry just pats my hand, and I glance away from the now empty doorway up at him.
“How about we get you settled into the house, maybe something light to eat?” he asks kindly, and I suck in my lower lip, biting back the tears that threaten to fall.
“T–that would be great, thanks,” I mumble, realizing that I didn’t even say hello or introduce myself. “And I’m Luna. Nice to meet you.”
He gives me a warm smile that goes a little way to soothing the hurt that my new stepdad and Mother’s abandonment caused. I blink when we enter the house, the entrance is like something out of one of those posh house magazines. I notice Mom and Richard didn’t get far, as she’s giggling while he whispers something in her ear.
