Page 88 of Sweet Torment

“So,” Mom says as she pours lemonade into a glass for me. Her movements are casual, but her tone is anything but. “Are you going to tell us the truth?”

“Mom—” I start, but she cuts me off.

“Don’t ‘Mom’ me.” She sets the pitcher down with more force than necessary. “You disappeared. You got into that fight with Whitney at the spa... is that what triggered it? And now you show up with a security guard and—” Her voice catches as she gestures at my neck, at the bond marks I can feel burning under her gaze.

“And now Whitney is missing... and you are bonded to whom exactly?”

Yeah. She’s not stupid.

Winston clears his throat loudly. “How about we eat before she starts the Spanish Inquisition and everything gets cold?” His eyes lock with mine, and he makes a face that makes me want to giggle.

Thank you, Winston.

Mom’s mouth opens, then closes. “Fine. But don’t think we’re dropping this, young lady.”

Dad places a hand on her shoulder. “Let her breathe, Kate.”

Winston kicks me under the table again, a silent question in his eyes.

You okay?

I give him the tiniest nod.

“Dr. Montgomery told us you were in a mental health facility,” Mom says, passing me more garlic bread. “That after coming home, you had another... episode.”

That lasted a whole three minutes. So much for a reprieve.

I nod, choosing my words carefully. “Yes.”

“And now you’re awakened and bonded.” Dad’s eyes narrow slightly as he studies my face.

“Yes. It all happened very quickly.” Not a lie.

“Why didn’t you call us?” Mom asks, hurt evident in her voice.

“I’m sorry. I couldn’t.” Literally.

Mom reaches for my hand across the table. “And are the alphas…” She stops, staring at me. “Are they the ones you… are they the same ones Whitney’s bonded to? Winston’s friends? Your…” I open my mouth and close it several times like a fish.

“That situation was not… what it seemed, Mom.”

“I just don’t understand. Is Whitney—” Winston stands abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor. “Dad, can you help me with something in the garage?”

Dad looks confused for a moment, then understanding dawns. “Right, yes.” He stands, squeezing my shoulder as he passes. “We’ll be right back, honey.”

When they’re gone, I turn to Mom, the question burning in my throat. I need to know.

“Why didn’t you ever tell me you dated Dr. Montgomery?”

She blinks, clearly caught off guard. “What?”

“Emmett Montgomery.” I keep my voice steady despite the churning in my stomach. “Whitney’s father. My doctor. The man who’s been in charge of my healthcare since I was a child. You dated him in college.”

Mom’s face softens as though she’s thinking hard. “Oh, that. It was so brief, I can barely remember it. We were lab partners, then friends. We dated for maybe a few semesters before I met your father.” She shrugs, the gesture dismissive. “It was fun while it lasted but was never going to be a forever thing.”

“Did he take the breakup well?”

She frowns, thinking. “Not initially. He was... intense. But he came around eventually. We stayed friendly. He went on to become the top omega specialist in the world, Bianca. When you needed care, of course I thought of him. He’s been my doctor too at times. Why?”