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“Brian isn’t really my family.”
A grim expression settled on her face. “Don’t say that. Ever.”
“But, he’s not. You’re all that I have.”
She shook her head. “You will be in a lot of pain when I’m gone. I know that, sweetheart. But, promise me one thing. No matter how much you’re hurting, you won’t say anything hurtful to him. He’ll be devastated too. Be there for him.”
“I’m hating this conversation,” I said through a choked throat. “Just hate it!”
“Then, we’ll stop here. I don’t want to bring it up again either.”
“Are you sure there’s no way to treat it? There are advanced treatments now, chemotherapy...I can ask someone at the university—”
“I want to spend the rest of my time being with the people I love,” she said. “Treatments may delay the inevitable but they can also worsen my health. I’d rather see you graduate with honors than being stuck in a hospital ward.”
We sat huddled together on my bed for a long time. My mind still couldn’t accept the things my mother told me. I desperately wanted the whole thing to be a nightmare.
The sky outside my window gradually turned blue.
“I don’t think I can go anywhere today,” I muttered, shifting over to the pillows. “I want to stay in bed, Mom.”
“No way,” she said in an authoritative voice at once. “Stop moping and get dressed.”
“I don’t feel good. There’s no way I can meet three strangers and smile at them like nothing’s wrong.”
“That’s exactly what you’ll do.”
“Mom!”
“Go take a shower,” she commanded. The hardened look on her face was always a cue for me to do what she demanded. “I have a new dress for you too. It’ll look amazing on you.”
Part of me wanted to protest but that familiar glint in her eyes told me there’d be hell to pay if I didn’t obey her. I was fucking twenty-two already but still a child before her.
Half-moaning, half-weeping, I grabbed my towel and headed to the bathroom.
11
Camilla
I stared at the sleek black Bentley parked outside my crumbling apartment building. This was the car Brian sent to pick us up for the family brunch happening at his place.
I glanced down at the dress I was wearing. The fabric was luxuriously soft against my skin and fit me perfectly. It was a shade of lavender with off-shoulder sleeves and came to a few inches above my knees.
Both my and mom’s dresses screamed exclusivity and luxury.
I leaned in to whisper in her ear. “What exactly does Brian do for a living?”
“He’s a businessman. You know that already.”
“Are you sure he’s not a mobster or something?”
Mom gave me a funny look and stepped forward. A valet was already holding the door open for her. She smoothly climbed inside and gestured wildly to make me join her.
Feeling uncertain, I slid in beside her.
“Did you know he wasthisrich?” I whispered as the car drove down the street.
“Stop asking ridiculous questions,” said Mom. “Of course, I knew. Just behave. His sons are hard to impress, so be extra careful. I want our first meeting to be a good one.”
