Arlo’s body language instantly changes from happy and soft, to alert and on guard, his arm circles my sister’s waist, pulling her to his side and slightly behind him. The move makes me smile and his expression becomes quizzical but guarded.
Stopping when I reach them, I smile sweetly to the older man who is congratulating them, waiting quietly as he makes small talk. He leaves a moment later and Tallulah’s gaze turns to me.
“Are you okay?” she asks, not even glancing in our mother’s direction.
“I will be.”
She nods, but doesn’t speak again and we all fall silent.
“Mom, perhaps you could give Dad a call, ask him to come here so we can all have a lovely family chat,” I suggest, releasing my grip on her as I turn to the side, placing myself in the middle with my mother to my left and Tallulah and Arlo to my right
No one speaks as my mom pulls out her cell phone and taps at the screen, lifting it to her ear and asking Dad to come to us.
He appears at her side a moment later. “What’s the meaning of this?” he demands, his voice nothing but condemnation as he sneers at my sister.
Inhaling slowly, I swallow down my rising panic and try to compose myself. This is it. This is the moment it all ends, the first truly good thing I’ve done since that godforsaken will was read.
“Tallulah,” I say, my voice cracking a little as I look at my sister. “I got you guys an engagement present.”
My twin’s lips shake a little and I can see the fear and hope in her eyes. She thinks I can be good, that I’m as much a victim of our parents as she is, but she’s wrong. I’m as guilty as they are.
Opening my clutch I slide the envelope free, unfolding it as I pass it to my sister. She reaches out and takes it from me, her hands shaking a little as she does.
“What is it?” Mom demands, stepping forward as if she intends to take the envelope from her.
“Why don’t you read it aloud,” I suggest.
Tallulah slides the single sheet of notarized paper free and scans the words, her mouth splitting into a wide smile. “This letter certifies that Miss Carrigan Prudence Archibald has failed to meet the stipulations required to meet the terms of the last will and testament of Mr. Harold Archibald the third, and as such relinquishes all claim on the inheritance.”
“What?” Mom screeches, ripping the letter from Tallulah’s hands and reading, her eyes wide and horrified as the truth of it sinks in.
“It’s all real,” I say. “You can confirm it with Mr. Worth, I told him to expect your call, but he’ll only confirm what that letter says. I am no longer the beneficiary of great-grandfather’s will. It’s over.”
The sound of my mother’s open palm connecting with my cheek, combined with her yell of anger, is loud enough to draw the attention of at least twenty people. Enough of them witness her slapping me that within fifteen minutes the entire room will know.
I don’t clutch at my face, even though I can feel the sting and heat blooming in my cheek. Instead I enjoy watching the realization dawn in my mother’s eyes that not only did she just assault me in a room full of high society, but that the money she wants more than anything else in the world won’t ever be hers.
“I think it might be time for you to leave,” Arlo says, glaring at my parents as Tallulah rushes to my side, her hand sliding into mine and squeezing lightly.
My dad just shakes his head, the disgust in his eyes as he looks at me and my twin so abhorrent that I can’t hold his gaze.
“You stupid, stupid girl,” Mom sneers. “The only thing you’ve ever had going for you was that money. Now you’re nothing.”
“Goodbye mother,” Tallulah says, her voice stronger than I could ever manage.
I don’t look up as my parents leave, because as much as I want to hate them, as much as I do hate them, they’re all I know. I am who they decided I would be. Everything I am is the person they molded me into and even though I know it was wrong, that they’re wrong, I can’t help that a part of me wants to run after them, to beg for forgiveness.
“You did it,” my sister whispers, awe lacing each word.
Inhaling sharply, I lift my eyes and force a brittle smile onto my lips. “It’s over. Neither of us have anything either of them want anymore.”
“Thank you,” she gushes, throwing her arms around me and pulling me into a hug, holding me tight.
I freeze, not sure what to do with her affection. I’ve done nothing to deserve it.
“This is the best day ever,” she cries, releasing me to throw herself at Arlo. He catches her, lifting her easily off the ground and spinning her in a circle as she giggles.
“Let’s get a drink and celebrate,” Arlo says, smiling at me as he lowers Tallulah to the ground, holding her against his chest.
“Yes,” Tallulah cries, “Where are the guys? We need cocktails and shots.”
“I’ll go and find them,” I offer, forcing a smile onto my lips and hoping that it looks convincing.
Launching herself from Arlo, she throws her arms around me again, circling my neck, her sweet laugh against my ear. “You did it. Thank you,” she says, her voice crackling a little.
“I’m sorry it took me so long,” I reply.
Releasing me she turns back into Arlo’s arms.
“I’ll be right back with the others,” I say, turning and blending into the groups of people. Only instead of searching for her friends I make a beeline for the exit and walk straight out, not looking back as I leave the hotel, my sister, and her misplaced thanks behind me.
10
Carrigan
My cell beeps again signaling another message, but I already know who
