“Wouldn’t you like to know? Laila, you can go with Alice. Thanks for telling me. If you need money, take my card.”
“Thanks,Mor! Bye.” Laila began leaving.
“Stop!” Mom ordered.
Laila glanced over, and I waved her off.
“You’ve no right to give my daughter orders. Take your paperwork and leave. Mimi will never get this house. Laila’s my heir,” I announced.
“Laila? No, Laila has to stay. That’s my grandchild,” Mom declared.
“No, Laila’s not. You mean nothing to her!”
“Because you kept her from me!”
“Yeah, whatever. Do you remember disowning me? Because I do. I’m not signing that paperwork, so leave.”
“Mor,Oskar and I are… who’s this?” Lars demanded, with Laila on his heels.
Mom stared at Lars, and I saw her make the connection. Lars looked exactly like a younger Magic. Then confusion set in as she gazed at Laila and then at Lars. Lars moved closer to Laila and me.
“They’re siblings? But you left? Everyone said you ran away. How could you have his children? A criminal’s spawn?” Mom demanded, her nose wrinkled. “I bet he’s just like his father!”
“Oh, my kids both take after their dad,” I agreed warmly, smiling at Lars and Laila. They realised I meant Vulcan, and both puffed up. “Kind, caring, loyal, funny, sincere—he gave them the best of himself.”
Lars and Laila smiled.
“So, they’re delinquents.” Mom sniffed, but there was emotion in her eyes. I couldn’t understand what. Was that a smidge of regret?
“Kids, find your cousins and stay in the yard. Laila, when Alice arrives, you can leave.”
“Thanks,Mor,” they chorused. Lars lingered, but I waved him off, and Laila followed.
“What is their age gap? How did you have two children withhim? Where did you go? Why are you speaking Danish? What happened?” Mom spat one question after another.
I bent down and picked up the papers. Triumph gleamed in Mom’s eyes until I tore them up. “I’d never sell Laila out as you did me. My daughter shall inherit Crook House. The will has already been written. The fortune, allowance, everything goes to her. Laila is my heir. Why the hell would I sign this over to Mimi? I can’t stand that spoilt thieving cunt.”
“Mimi is deep in debt. Her husband left, and you need to help, you selfish bitch!” Mom exclaimed.
“Not surprised Mimi was dumped. I’d have done the same if I were him.”
“Like you’d understand what a steady relationship is!” Mom hissed.
A cold smile crossed my lips, and I don’t know what my face showed, but Mom stepped back.
“I was married for fourteen years; unlike your family, I experienced real love.”
“Not here now, is he? Probably got fed up with your bitchy ways,” Mom snapped.
“No, Vulcan isn’t here. I’m a widow. And if Vulcan were alive, we’d still be together because we truly loved each other.”
“Quite likely he died to escape you.”
Anger swept through me even as an agonised shout came from the hallway. I stepped forward and slapped Mom so hard that she stumbled several steps backward.
“You’re trespassing. Leave before I allow Lars and Oskar to put you out on your ass and then call the police.”
Mom looked and saw Lars and Oskar standing behind me. Without a word, she walked past them, head held high.
