Page 31 of Tears and Other Fears

“So when do we get to kill Samuel?” I asked. “Time is of the essence. He’s going to give you up, Renon.”

“My people need a couple of days to plan. Graduation is tomorrow, right? Probably after. Again, don’t ask, don’t tell. Just let us do our thing and act surprised when he overdoses in a bar somewhere.”

The poetic justice of Renon’s words rang loud and clear. He’d make sure Samuel died the same way William did. “I thought you said I could watch?”

“I thought you were better at deciphering pretty lies, crazy girl.”

Yeah. I thought I was, too.

Chapter 17

Like everything at Blackwood University,the graduation was extravagant and over the top, boasting about the amount of money their graduates had. Instead of hosting the ceremony at one of their large auditoriums, they rented out Carnegie Hall. News reporters and limos lined the streets, and you had to have a coveted ticket to get inside.

Renon and Noah stayed home, but Young insisted that I sit with his parents. I never honestly thought that I’d get the chance to meet them, let alone be introduced as Young’s girlfriend. And yet there we were.

“Mom, this is Octavia, my girlfriend,” my non-boyfriend said with pride. He’d warned me on the drive over that he’d spilled everything to his parents, from the nature of William’s death to Samuel’s involvement. I was surprised that he so openly talked to them about subjects that had been plaguing me for months. He said that his father was on board with tarnishing the Smith name. I still didn’t believe him.

Mrs. Youngblood was classically beautiful, with long dark hair and naturally long lashes. I had expected her to look fake, like most women of wealth her age, but she welcomed time with grace and elegance. She even let specks of grey hair frame her round face.

“Octavia, it is so lovely to finally meet you. We’ve heard so much about you. I’m so sorry we didn’t get to meet William, but I’m thankful you and my Nathaniel found each other in all of this.”

Her words made thick emotions rise up my throat and spill out my mouth. “You would have loved William. He was always better at this sort of thing than me.” I gestured between us to explain my clumsy words. I was inevitably going to fuck up these introductions. I always did.

“I think you’re doing just fine, sweetheart,” she beamed with a knowing wink. My suspicion meter was cranked up to eleven. No one was this nice or genuine. Or maybe I was just too jaded to trust people at face value.

Mr. Youngblood looked like an older version of Young. He had a nicely trimmed beard, strong jaw, and a phone that seemed permanently attached to his hand. He hadn’t even introduced himself yet and was just typing away on the screen, grunting occasionally by way of participation in the conversation. “The Smiths better pray they don’t run into me today,” Mr. Youngblood finally growled after he was able to tear his eyes from his phone. “I always knew that son was a worthless piece of shit. And don’t think we’re done discussing your role in this, Nathaniel. You should have told me sooner. For fuck’s sake, this has the potential to be a PR nightmare.”

I eyed Young, who was wearing his graduation gown and a smile. He offered me a shrug, but I was still too stuck on the fact that he’d told his parents everything and they believed him. Not only that, but they supported him, too. I wondered what it was like to have that sort of unconditional, unwavering love. Would I ever have that? My soul whispered in my ear that I already did.

Outside Carnegie, we stood in awkward silence, smiling for the paparazzi across the street as excited families filtered inside. I snapped my attention to an approaching town car and bristled when I saw President and Mrs. Robinson get out of the backseat. Mrs. Robinson looked scarily pale and had a bruise forming on her upper arm that was covered with makeup that wasn’t blended properly. She wore a black dress that clung to her fake oversized tits.

“That fucking bitch,” Mrs. Youngblood hissed.

Oh. So Young had told themeverything.

“Come on, Octavia,” the surprisingly strong mama bear said while yanking my wrist. Young just shook his head and frowned after us as we stomped down the concrete towards them. Maybe this was why Young was so understanding of me. His mother was her own storm, and I was curious how this would play out.

Once in front of the Robinsons, I watched as Young’s once-lover paled when she saw me. She clutched her husband’s arm like it was a lifeline, tugging him towards the door, but President Robinson didn’t budge—he didn't even see me standing there. He was too busy looking at Young’s mom. I could practically see the dollar signs in his eyes at the prospect of chatting with one of the most influential families at this school. Mr. Youngblood was in oil, and Mrs. Youngblood owned a fashion empire. President Robinson probably wanted to cash in on alumni donations.

“Mrs. Youngblood, so lovely to see you. I bet you’re just so proud of your son. He’s off to do amazing things all thanks to Blackwood. Have you told him about our alumni chapter? He’d be a wonderful addition to it.”

Mrs. Youngblood smiled. “Oh, yes. We are just so proud of Nathaniel. I’m thrilled at all the help and extra attention he received while here at Blackwood. Especially all the extra attention your wife gave him. Late nights. Weekends. She was anintimatepart in his college experience, and I’m impressed by your family’s level of dedication.”

I had to abruptly place a hand over my mouth to stifle a giggle. However, President Robinson didn’t even comprehend her words. He was too busy staring at parents and the coeds around him. What a fucking prick. I almost—almost—felt sorry for his wife. But then I thought of that photo I took and promptly remembered that she was just as bad.

“Uh huh. Yes. Great dedication. I’ll send you an alumni packet with our different donation tiers. I think you and Mr. Youngblood should look at the gold program.”

Beside me, Mrs. Youngblood steamed with anger. I felt the same, but mostly it all just seemed comical to me. What did she expect? I didn’t think the president actually gave a fuck what his wife did as long as she didn’t embarrass him publicly and looked pretty on his arm. He was about to leave, with his anxious wife in tow, when Mrs. Youngblood grabbed his hand, forcing him to look her in the eye.

“I won’t be donating another dime to your institution, and I’ll make sure that every contact I have understands the kind of school you’re running.”

President Robinson finally seemed to understand what was happening. His trembling wife looked like she was about to collapse. “Is there a problem, Corinne? Your son was given every advantage at this school; I don’t understand.”

“Ask your blackmailing slut of a wife,” Mrs. Youngblood replied with anger. Holy shit, I actually liked Young’s mother.

“I’m not sure I understand what you’re insinuating. My wife is an upstanding member of this community, and even if anything happened—which I’m sure it didn’t—he’s of age and a consenting adult.” He was looking between Mrs. Youngblood and his wife, confusion breaking across his face like waves hitting the sand.

“You’re absolutely right. But blackmail is punishable by law, Dr. Robinson. I know you have the judge in your pocket, but so do we. We haveeveryonein our pocket.”

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