Page 116 of Love Me Forever

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Bonnie

When I finally gotto the room, I could barely stop from shaking. I wiped my tears as I closed the door of the suite and headed to the bedroom. Sitting on the edge of the bed, I rifled through my bag, taking out my phone. I hesitated for a split second before calling my mother.

She answered right away. "Takes a lot to get your attention, doesn't it?"

“I’ve called you a million times.”

“Probably to berate me.”

"Why would you do that, Mom?" I was fighting to keep my voice even.

"You weren't sending me money. That moron you’re dating threw me out of his office."

"You’re cruel."

"Well, it got me what I wanted. I told you I need more than you’re sending.”

“I’ve paid all your outstanding bills.”

“That doesn't mean I've got any pocket money."

I shook my head. "It's not my responsibility to give you pocket money or pay anything at all.”

“Is that what Travis has been putting into your head? That you're too good for your mom?"

"No. But I'm the child. You're the parent. And I'm tired of having to be the parent here."

She snorted into the phone. I put a hand on my chest. I felt I needed to brace myself, to hug myself.

"You think you won at life, don't you? You've got yourself a rich man. Don't think it'll last. Men are fickle. Your dad was too."

"I'm not having this conversation with you." Why had I called her? I knew she wouldn't have anything good or kind to say. "I tried, Mom. I really tried loving you and building a relationship with you. And I just can't do it anymore." Before she could reply, I ended the conversation.

I put a hand on my belly, drawing a deep breath and closing my eyes. "Baby, I promise you that you won't have to witness conversations like this again. Your nana is a difficult person, but I'm going to love you so much. I'm going to love you for both of us. You’ll have a wonderful life." I opened my eyes, staring straight at the wall, trying my best to rein in my tears.

How could I ever fit in the Maxwell family? Lena had made baby clothes when my own mother badmouthed me to the press. Travis had grown up in a loving family, while I spent more time with animals than friends or my parents growing up. We might as well have come from different planets. I couldn’t bring Travis down.

I shook my head.Stupid hormones. Why am I crying? Why did I call my mother? Why did I leave the party?This was exactly what my mother wanted—to bring me down by belittling me. I knew better than that. I was strong, and I usually didn’t care about what anyone said—including her.

I knew how important this was for Travis. But when Reese and Tim mentioned the reporters, and I saw that awful headline, I just couldn't deal with all of it—or any of it.

A knock at the door startled me. I jumped from the bed, hurrying toward it. Travis was here. I could feel it in my bones.

Opening the door, I was surprised to see Lena standing in front of it.

"My darling girl, I heard what happened downstairs. Can I come in?"

"Sure," I said, taking a step back and opening the door wide so she could walk inside.

"This is a very nice suite," she said. "I can't wait for an official tour of the hotel later on this evening."

She turned to me, and I could see the compassion and kindness in her eyes. She nodded toward the bed. "Come on, let's you and I sit together. We can talk."

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