The back and forth between the siblings was endearing. The whole family really, as they started ribbing each other. I loved the strength of their bond and their family dynamics fascinated me.
I finished my muffin and went to eat a second one when I felt my mother’s disapproving gaze.
“Those are curve-enhancers, darling,” she hushed, but everyone at the table heard. “You don’t need any more padding.”
My fork clattered on the plate. The remnant sweetness in my mouth from the chocolate muffin turned to acid and my eyes prickled.
She just humiliated me.
Her own daughter.
In front of strangers.
I should have expected this. She’d done this before under the false pretense of a ‘concerned’ mother chastising her ex-cheerleading daughter for having gained five pounds.
Perhaps she was salty about having to bend to Zeno’s will—we all were—or perhaps that jealousy and competition comment truly bothered her and now she was taking it out on me.
Dacia’s features twisted in anger. “Mother…”
Everyone withered uncomfortably. Everyone except for Zeno, who regarded my mother’s smug face with blankness.
“Diane, should you choose to disrespect my fiancée like that ever again,” Zeno warned with an eerie calm. “I will rip apart every shred of your reputation until you’re shunned from Montardor’s society and lose that precious mayoral seat of yours.”
Diane Hill’s face burst red and she bristled, unable to take a dose of her own medicine. Under no circumstance did I feel bad for her.
Zeno stood up for me twice tonight. He had ulterior motives, I knew, but I was still grateful.
Just as my mother got ready to retaliate, I shot her a ball-shrivelling look. To not make another scene, I smiled for the sake of our guests and dropped my napkin on the table, skirting my chair back. “Excuse me, please.”
Ella and Cade gave me confused stares. They were too far away to hear the conversation at our table. I subtly shook my head at them because now was not the time to discuss my mother’s rude antics.
I sauntered out of the ballroom like the hounds of hell nipped at my feet.
Dodging staff and bodyguards, I aimlessly wandered down the hallway. My throat felt thick and I blinked back my tears, refusing to cry. This wasn’t about giving in to my pain. This was about self-preservation and not allowing the world to see beneath my cracked armour.
Every cloud had a silver lining and maybe mine was escaping my mother’s clutches once I married Zeno. My lonely heart couldn’t take any more beatings from Diane Hill’s viper tongue. It was bruised and bleeding a trail of blood in its wake as I walked over to a quiet corner with windows overlooking the courtyard.
“A penny for your thoughts?”
My very own devil materialized behind me, his deep voice reaching my ears before I saw his reflection in the window.
I didn’t turn around to face him.
“Je suis fatiguée.” I was tired, to put it simply.
“I would be too if I had Mayor Hill as a mother.”
I didn’t defend her. She didn’t deserve it.
Zeno stepped closer, his cologne wrapping around me like a comforting blanket.
“You have a backbone, Darla.” Zeno’s words caressed my bare shoulder. His fingers skimmed over my spine before delving into the nape of my neck to fist my chignon. “Use it.”
His patronizing tone ignited my anger. I hissed when he tugged my head back, using my hair like it was reins. My hairstyle loosened and Zeno’s fingers rode to my throat. “You let that man insult you at Chaleur and now you let your own mother treat you like shit at your engagement party. Did I read this all wrong? I thought you were a strong, independent woman who could stand up for herself.”
“Fuck you, Zeno.” I ripped his hand away and pushed him back. “I will not invest my energy towards people who aren’t worth it. That prick wasn’t and neither is my mother.”
“Killing with kindness isn’t always enough. You need to stand up for yourself if you want respect.”