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I start to walk past her, but she grabs my arm, digging her sharp nails into my flesh. “What’s to fucking love, you ungrateful little bitch? If it weren’t for my benevolence, you wouldn’t fucking exist.”
Pulling my arm away, I fold them over my chest. The stance looks strong and firm as if I’m standing my ground. In reality, I’m holding myself together, shielding my heart from the venom she spews. I drop my head in a nod of acknowledgment. “You’re right, and I am grateful, but I can’t let you use me anymore.” Or hurt me, but I don’t say that. The less I engage, the quicker I can get away from her.
“You are nothing without me, little girl. You were only invited to this because ofme.” She grabs the fabric of my dress between her fingers, tugging roughly with an upturned nose and snarling lips. “How they even let you in the door wearing this back-alley knockoff.” She tosses it away with disdain and grabs my wrist. “Or these fa—” Her words drop as she brings my arm closer to her face. “What the fuck? Where did you get this?” I pull my arm away, cradling it against my chest, rubbing the pain away.
“They were a gift.”
“Did you finally learn the art of spreading your legs like a little slut? It’s the only way you’d ever get something like this.” An ugly sneer pulled her overfilled red lips. “Though I can’t imaginewho’d want you.”
I stare at her, fighting the burn behind my eyes. Crying is what she wants, and I won’t give her my tears. “No, Mom. They were a gift from Graham.” She doesn’t need to know more than that. “I would never sleep with someone for just for clothes or jewelry.” I have no idea if it’s bravery or anxiety-riddled word vomit that makes me add, “If I learned one thing from you, it’s that I won’t sell myself for something so materialistic.”
The sharp sound of her hand cracking against my cheek rings in my ears as my head snaps to the side. “You self-righteous, arrogant little cunt. You are just like your father.”
My fingers brush over my scalded cheek. “I hope so,” I whisper as I push her out of my way.
“Casey,” she calls out. “Casey bear, wait.”
Shehas never called me that. Only Dad.
I glance over my shoulder, curiosity taking over.
“I need you to ask your dad to drop the charges.”
I almost laugh. Of course that is what she wants from me. “I won’t do that.”
“What about your brother? He needs a mother.”
My lips press together, sadness burying itself deep inside me. “I agree,” I whisper. Her relieved sigh only makes the ache in my heart worse. My lashes drop and a single tear slides down my cheek. “But if the choice is between you and none at all, he’s better off without one.”
More tears spill down my cheeks as I lift my skirts and rush away, ignoring her screams. When I reach the ballroom, I search for Graham. Not finding him, I head toward Uncle Henry who’s standing at the bar with Maddox. His green eyes meet mine when I’m a few feet away. As soon as I reach him, his hand wrapsaround my jaw, tilting my head to the side. “What the fuck?”
“Have you seen Graham?” I ask, avoiding the concern in his eyes.
“He’s outside. Now tell me what happened.”
I shake my head as I back away, uttering one word. “Mom.”
I spin on my toes and weave through the crowd as I head toward the patio. Hushed voices bounce around me as I apologize for bumping into so many.
Outside, I quickly scan the elaborate garden until I spot Graham and Jagger a few feet away, in an unlit area of the yard.
The very sight of Graham eases the pain in my chest and soothes my ragged breathing. My panicked thoughts calm. Taking a deep breath, I walk with soft steps toward them.
But when their hushed whispers become audible, my feet stop moving.
“Casey will find out eventually,” Graham hisses.
“Not if you keep your fucking mouth shut.”
I move a few more inches toward them, but keep myself hidden.
“He fucking looks like you, Jagger. She might not realize it now, but as he gets older, she will figure it out. Wouldn’t you rather her know the truth than assume…”
My breath hitches. I cover my mouth with my hand, afraid they might hear my rapid breaths. Are they talking about…
“The truth, Graham. Do you think she’ll believe that?” Jagger gets right in Graham’s face. I’ve never seen him like this before. He is so full of anger and pain.
“Considering she wasn’t yelling it from the rooftops the moment it happened. And you have that damn NDA. She would never sign that shit if she knew she could claim otherwise. Caseywill…”
