“It’s all pretense,” I tell her. “Everything you’ve ever done or said has been for the benefit of those around you. Are you saying this now because you know Dad has no more money? That the moment I go to the police and tell them what he did you’ll be left in the gutter?”
Once again, my mother winces at my words. I could forgive her, well, I could voice my forgiveness, but for a long while, I don’t think I can. Yes, in my heart I’ve let go of the torment that’s hurting me. As I look into her eyes, I silently forgive her for what she put me through, but I do it for me. To allow myself to move on.
“Do you even know what happened to me when I was at school?” I bite out, rage consuming me as I look at the woman who was meant to be there for me. The person I was supposed to be able to talk to when I needed advice, love, support.
From the look on her face, she clearly has no clue.
“I came home before summer break; I was two weeks early, and you didn’t give a shit about why the school sent me home.” My voice is nothing more than a low hiss. I’m shaking as I rip my hands from her grasp and fist them at my sides.
“I thought you said—”
“I didn’t say anything because you weren’t even home for me to talk to,” I bite out, interrupting her because I need her to know this before she leaves here today. “I was assaulted, forced into a bedroom with two frat guys, who tore my clothes and pinned me down making sure I begged for them to free me. And you know what happened?” Spinning to face her fully, I hiss, “I came home praying you’d come to my aid, to talk to me and see your daughter hurting, but all I got was your usual claims of fun with your friends. Lunches and dinners, tennis matches and country club cocktails.”
“I-I… Why didn’t you sit me down?”
“Don’t make this about what I should’ve done. The dean said he’d contacted both you and dad, but neither of you responded.” This time, the tears that had been burning slip past my lashes, and I allow them to. “I lost all my control that night. I lost a part of me. But I learned how to deal with it. Over time, I’m thankful they didn’t get as far as they wanted to. It could’ve been so much worse.” Even at my confession, she doesn’t come to me, she doesn’t even attempt to hold me.
You cannot walk forward in life while holding onto your past hurts. It will hinder you, hold you back while you try to make your way to a better future. And I won’t allow her to hold me back anymore. I’m done being a pawn in their game.
“My life is my own now. I’m healed.” As I say this, she twists her hands in her lap. “I’ve moved on, I’m creating my own family, one filled with truth, with honesty, and with love.”
She blinks, a single tear trickling down her cheek. Slowly, she nods as if coming to terms with what I’m saying. She hardened me so much, and what I’ve been through, had ensured I could take care of myself. No amount of begging and pleading from her will make me falter in my decision.
I’m strong now.
This is the woman she created.
“This conversation is over. I’d like you to leave.” I keep my voice clear, confident, and my chin raised. “I don’t want to hear from you again. I no longer have a family linked to the Bardots. With Grace in prison,” I tell her, using my grandmother’s name to ensure she realizes I’m washing my hands of the Bardots. “And with your husband paying for his sins in other ways, I’m going to let you go as well.”
“Scarlett, please—”
“When I needed a mother, you weren’t there. What I got instead was a coach, a socialite trainer who taught me how to smile when I hated everyone, to lie when I needed something, and to dress up my pain with pretty fabrics and expensive jewels.”
She shakes her head swiftly, her mouth opening, but words not escaping. She can’t deny it because she knows it, the bitter truth. Nothing I’m saying is a lie and my mother, the woman who is an expert on lies realizes it’s done.
She pushes to her feet, her hands trembling as they hang at her sides. Those eyes, so like mine, look through me. She’s an empty vessel, one my father took advantage of, but as much as he’s to blame, she is too. Even though she showed me how to be strong, she never took her own advice.
“Goodbye, Scarlett,” she says finally, lowering her head before turning and walking back into the house. I watch her go. Once she disappears from view, I let out the breath I’ve been holding.
For a long while I stand in silence. My mind replaying the events of the day. I was so scared to face them, my parents, but now that it’s done, I feel a sense of unease. As if nothing is done. Perhaps it’s because my father went so easily. He gave up without a fight. Yes, he knew they outmatched him with both Lycan and Darius, but I’ve known him my whole life, and he has never given in to anything so quickly.
And that’s when I hear the shots echoing through the house.
31
Lycan
It wasn’t even the moment of impact. I heard a rustle outside the door, and I knew. Call it instinct, but my feet carried me faster than I anticipated. Pushing Darius to the floor, landing beside him, shots ringing out around us.
I don’t know who is shooting. But the bullets travel through the
