Page 53 of Mad Love

I lifted a hand to my stinging cheek, glaring up at her. “Because he killed my sister. He killed Marge.”

She blinked at me. “Who?”

“Marge? The librarian I worked with? The woman who helped buy my school supplies when you spent all our money on crack,” I added, unable to keep the bitterness from my tone.

Mom rolled her eyes. “That old bitch? She was constantly meddling. You’re better off without her.”

“God, I hate you,” I whispered, looking away before I did something like get up and slap her back. I had a feeling that if I started hitting her, I wouldn’t stop.

“So ungrateful,” she muttered, her lip curling. “After everything I’ve done for you.”

“What have you done, Mom?” Now I got out of bed and stood across from her, flinging my arms wide. “Please, tell me what the hell you’ve actually done for me.”

She exhaled through her nose. “Charles will be here within the hour. Your father and I expect you to be presentable and courteous to him, am I understood?”

“Oh, I understand you. I just can’t believe you,” I muttered, rolling my eyes.

She flashed me a brittle smile. “It’s a new day, sweetheart. And you could do a lot worse than Charles. He’s a duke, for crying out loud.”

He wasn’t a duke yet, but I wasn’t about to argue the semantics of titles to her. “Then you marry him,” I shot back.

She took a small step toward me, but I refused to back down. Her brows pulled together. “Get dressed and ready. If you think you’ll need help, I’ll send Evan or your father in to assist you.”

“Fine,” I muttered, moving to storm past her for the bathroom.

She caught my arm, her acrylic nails digging into my skin. “Don’t mess this up for me.”

I met her gaze and held it. “You picked the wrong side, Mom.”

Her brow furrowed with confusion.

“Ryan was going to help me save you. We were going to make sure you were taken care of.” I jerked my arm free. “But you’re on your own after this.”

Triumph glimmered in her eyes. “Your idealism might actually be adorable if it wasn’t so pathetically misplaced. You think Ryan Cain gives a shit about you? He’s probably balls deep in the nearest pussy, because that’s all you were to him. And sure, he may try to get you back, but only to prove he’s better than Gary.” Her gaze swept over me. “You forget, I’ve been where you are, honey. I bought the bullshit, and look where it got me—knocked up, and a life in a shithole with a brat I never wanted.”

I shook my head. “You still don’t get it, and you never will. How can someone incapable of love understand the concept? I pity you, Mom, because I got the guy and the life. I’m going to have it all, and you’ll be left with nothing, just like Gary.”

“As smart as you are, you really are stupid,” she murmured. She reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone before tossing it at me.

The photo of Charles and I kissing was pulled up, along with a headline announcing our engagement.

“That went out this morning to every major publication.” She smirked at me. “Think he’s still going to want you when he realizes you’ve been spreading your legs for another man?”

“I didn’t sleep with Charles,” I muttered, pushing the phone against her chest. “Ryan trusts me.”

But even as I said it, all I could think of was our engagement party and the video… and the way he’d assumed the worst. And that hadn’t even been me in the video. This time, I was absolutely in the arms of another man.

Ryan would know I didn’t have a choice, though.

Right?

“You’re a naive little fool,” Mom spat.

I shrugged, shoving down my fears. “Maybe I am. Maybe you’re right, and Ryan doesn’t care about me the way I think he does.” I paused for a beat. “But if you’re wrong? If he loves me a fraction as much as I love him? God help you and anyone else who gets in his way.” Without waiting for her to reply, I swung around and went into the bathroom, closing and locking the door.

* * *

When I exited the bathroom after finishing my hair and makeup, another outfit had been selected for me. I pulled on the green dress and matching Mary Janes with a slight heel. I was just buckling the second shoe when my door opened.

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