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“Mom, perhaps you could give Dad a call and ask him to come here so we can all have a lovely family chat,” I suggest, releasing my grip on her.
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.
“Izabella,” I say, my voice cracking a little as I look at my sister. “I got you guys an engagement present.”
Stepping out from behind her fiancé, Izabella positions herself at his side, and he immediately slips an arm around her waist, anchoring her to him. “You got us a gift?” she asks cautiously, but I can see both the fear and hope in her eyes.
Smiling, I open my clutch and pull out the envelope. Unfolding it, I offer it to my sister, blinking back tears as she reaches out and takes it from me.
“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.
No one speaks as Izabella peels open the envelope and slides the single sheet of notarized paper free. Her eyes quickly scan the words before her lips split into a wide smile. “This letter certifies that Miss Penelope Emerson Rhodes has failed to abide by the stipulations required to meet the terms of the last will and testament of Mr. Reginald Rhodes the Second, and as such relinquishes all claim on the inheritance.”
“What?” Mom screeches, ripping the letter from Izabella’s hands and reading the words, her eyes wide and horrified as the truth of it sinks in.
“It’s all real,” I tell her. “You can confirm it with Mr. Kingston. I told him to expect your call, but he’ll only corroborate 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. 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 with enough witnesses that within fifteen minutes, every single person in the room will know what she’s done, 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,” Gulliver says, glaring at my parents as Izabella rushes to my side, her hand sliding into mine and squeezing lightly.
Dad shakes his head, the disgust in his eyes as he looks from me to 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,” Izabella 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 their forgiveness.
“You did it,” my sister whispers, awe lacing each word.
Forcing a brittle smile onto my lips, I shrug. “It’s over. Neither of us have anything either of them wants anymore.”
“Thank you,” she gushes, throwing her arms around me and pulling me into a hug.
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 Gulliver. 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,” Gulliver says, smiling at me as he lowers Izabella to the ground, holding her against his chest.
“Yes,” Izabella cries. “Where are the guys? We need cocktails and shots.”
“I’ll go and find them,” I offer, widening my smile and hoping it looks convincing.
Wiggling out of Gulliver’s embrace, 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 whisper guiltily.
“I’ll be right back with the others,” I say, nudging her back toward Gulliver as I turn and blend into the crowd. 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.
Me
