“But you were more like my greatest detriment,” I add.
She deflates like a balloon at my words.
“I can’t be around you,” I tell her, my voice small. I’m sad. I don’t know how many times I have to say this to her. When will she finally get it? “If you keep coming around uninvited, I’ll have to file a restraining order against you.”
“You would never,” she breathes.
“I would.” I nod, glancing over my shoulder to find Spencer still watching us on the other side of the window. The moment our gazes connect, he’s marching toward the door. Walking inside the apartment until he’s standing right beside me.
“Is everything okay here?” he asks, his voice firm, his gaze on my mother.
“This is private family business,” Mother starts, but I cut her off.
“I want him here. I consider him a part of my family.”
She presses her lips together, contemplating the two of us, her upper lip lifting in a slight sneer. “It’s like that now, hmm? You two are together?”
Spencer slips his arm around my shoulders, and I almost want to faint in relief at his nearness. “We are,” he says.
Her gaze is filled with fury when it settles on me. “Did your father put you up to this?”
“Why would he have anything to do with my relationship with Spencer?” I’m incredulous.
“He knows how I feel about the Donato boy.” She speaks of Spencer as if he’s not even standing in front of her. “I never approved of the two of you spending time together. I didn’t like how close your brother got to him either.”
“I’d watch what you say if I were you,” he says, his tone clipped. “You’re standing in my house.”
“Paid for with mob money.” Mother turns her wrath on Spence. “Your father is a criminal. I assume you’re one too.”
“Get out,” Spencer says between clenched teeth, his nostrils flaring. “Leave my house now before I have you escorted out.”
“By some of your goons? How charming.” Mother lifts her chin, returning her attention to me. “When you finally have enough of his criminal lifestyle, I’m sure you’ll come crying back to me, begging me to take you in, though I won’t. You need to learn a lesson. The only one who’s ever been there for you is me. Not your father. Not your brother or your sister. And certainly not this man, who probably busts kneecaps for a living. Me. I’m the only one who truly loves you.”
I stare at her, visibly shaking. Thank God Spence still has his arm around my shoulders, stabilizing me. “Shut up,” I whisper.
My words only seem to egg her on and make her talk even more.
“You can’t go it alone, Sylvie. You’ve never been able to. You need someone to guide you. To take care of you. You’re a pathetic little creature who can’t stand on her own two feet, and I want to help you. I really do. But it’s so terribly hard to help those who can’t help themselves.” With a little sigh, she shakes her head and turns, heading for the door. “I don’t need to be escorted out. I hope you come to your senses soon, Sylvie. Before it’s too late.”
The door closes seconds later and my entire body seems to turn into liquid as I lean into Spencer. He steers me out of the living room until we’re in his bedroom, the door closed behind us, me crying into Spencer’s shirt. He holds me close, running his hand up and down my back in a soothing gesture, murmuring comforting words I can barely hear.
I hate that she said all of those cruel things. Worse?
I hate that I believe what she said.
Maybe I can’t go it alone. I am a pathetic creature who needs guidance. Help. She made me that way. She raised me to not believe in myself. To think she’s the only one who can actually take care of me, and I hate her for that.
I hate her so much.
“We figured out how she knew about your party,” Spencer says at one point in the midst of my crying.
I pull away from him, so I can look at his face. “How?”
I brace myself, waiting to hear who betrayed me by telling my mother about this.
“Social media. Cliff posted a story on IG and tagged you. Your father did too.” Spencer winces. “He feels terrible about it. They both do.”
“How did she know that the party was being hosted by us?” I wipe at the corner of my eyes, trying to catch a few stray tears.