Page 46 of Princess of Pride
The sigh that leaves him is one my mother used to make when I pushed her to her limit, and she was done with me. Into the nanny’s arms I’d have to go. Sometimes she needed a day or two to detox, as she called it. I never remember her needing to detox from Pippa.
Lachlan waves Wes over and leaves us with a nod, like passing me off had been a prior conversation. Wes leads the way to the bathroom, his gaze watchful on everyone and everything but me. I enter, surprised and relieved that he doesn’t follow me inside.
Like the private airport my father uses, the bathroom has two rooms and is similar to a spa. One area is for makeup and hair with blow-dryers and toiletries. The next room has hotel-like robes and private stalls with toilets, sinks, and showers. They’re wonderful amenities for when you get off a long flight and want to freshen up.
Another door catches my eye. I open it, expecting to see supplies but am surprised to find it’s an exit to a private hallway. Clearly Lachlan hasn’t been in this ladies’ room, or he’d know this. How easily I could run away. I said I wouldn’t though, and I meant it. In addition to keeping Raphael safe, I’m too tired to try. Plus, I have no doubt if I ran, Lachlan would find me.
A woman emerges from one of the combo-shower stalls. She isn’t in a robe so she must have just used the bathroom.
I smile and choose the last stall to call my mom for privacy. The door closes, sealing me in the small room.
I could call the house phone but don’t want to risk Candace answering. She’d probably hang up on me.
The phone rings three times, then a faint voice says, “Hello.”
Relief pours through me. “Mom. Don’t hang up. It’s Emery.”
“Who?” she mumbles.
“Your daughter, Emery.”
“You’re not my daughter,” she slurs, indicating she’s drunk.
Great.
“I am, Mom. It’s me. Your biggest disappointment,” I add with sad humor.
“No,” she says with a withering sigh. “You’re not. I didn’t even pick your name. I would have chosen aPlike mine and Pippa’s. You’re an E.Chosen by your father because ofher. To remind me I’m just his wife but she gave him what I couldn’t.” Though slurred, her words are as clear as they are hurtful.
My heart twists. Is she making this up to hurt me? She loves drama, but this is going too far.
“I’m sorry for ruining your special day, Mom. It wasn’t my intention. I was mad at Lachlan for lying to me.”
“Your father worshipped Elora,” Mom goes on in a sad distant voice. “She gave him a son too.”
A son? What is she talking about?
“The boy didn’t make it, but you did.”
She’s delusional, lost to the alcohol.
I sigh. “Where’s Candace, Mom? She needs to help you to bed.”And make sure you don’t get sick in your sleep. That’s happened before.
Once I found her with vomit all over her face and neck. She wasn’t breathing. I was eight. I didn’t know what to do and thought she was dead. Her skin was so pale.
“Help!” I screamed and frantically wiped the vomit from her open mouth, inside and out, as gross as it was.
Candace barreled into the room just as Mom sucked in a breath and coughed.
“Get away from her,” Candace scolded me like I caused this.
I scrambled from the bed and stood on the other side, terrified but not wanting to leave until I knew Mom was okay.
“Get out of here, you little brat,” she barked at me with hate in her eyes. “You’ve caused her enough trouble.”
Tears streamed down my cheeks as I ran from the room, praying Mom would be all right.
“Mom?” I ask, the memory tying my gut in knots. She’s been quiet for longer than I’m comfortable with. “Are you okay?” My voice rattles.
