“You don’t have a choice.”
“No fucking shit,” I snap bitterly.
“Well, why don’t you sleep on it and see how you feel tomorrow?”
I shoot him a look, remembering the way he’d been staring at Danielle earlier.
It pissed me off then, and it’s pissing me off now.
“What’s going on with you and Danielle?”
Issac looks confused for a second, frowning at me as he drops his gaze. “Nothing. I just asked her out.”
I shouldn’t care, but I do. “She’s my ex. Been there, done that. Be careful.”
I ignore the surprise in his eyes, dropping into the driver's seat of my car. Slamming the door behind me, I gun the engine, peeling off past him.
It takes me forty minutes to reach my mother’s house, and the ache in my chest is a strong contender for the fury in my belly.
Passing security at the gates, I drive up to the door, which is surprisingly open.
Mom is on the chaise lounge when I walk in, as people carry bouquet after bouquet into her home.
“Blake,” Mom croaks out, her eyes puffy and bloodshot.
Her hair hangs limply by her face, which is devoid of any color.
She looks ill, like a withered tree.
“Mom. You okay?” I force myself to hold back, taking her frail body into my arms.
“No. You?” Mom asks, stroking my jaw tearfully. “How did the meeting go?” Mom clings to me, burying her face in my chest.
I’m battling with the icy anger that’s ruling my entire being, but my mother’s agony is too much for me to bear. “Marriage, Mom?”
Mom pulls back, a sad smile on her face. “That old fool. He was lovesick till the end.”
“Mom, I’m serious, you need to do something. Otherwise, some girl is gonna take half the fortune.”
Mom doesn’t seem to be listening to me though, her eyes glazing over. “He thought that if you didn’t find love, he’d help you.”
“Help me? You mean force me,” I mutter.
“Is there anyone?” Mom questions, her eyes glittering with excitement.
Barbara strolls in from the kitchen, pink rubber gloves up to her elbows and a feather duster in her hand. I’m sure she’s beyond being our cleaner now, but she still insists on doing it for Mom.
Her eyes light up upon seeing me.
“Blake, lovely. How are you doing today? Are you hungry? Can I fix you something?”
I shake my head, turning back to Mom.
She’s stroking her wedding photo, her eyes misting over.
“I didn’t think happiness like that existed. On that day, your dad proved it did.”
Barbara clutches her heart, and I remain silent.
