Page 69 of Let Me Love You

I narrow my eyes. “I’m not pretending. I love Summer as my own. She’s the brightest and kindest little girl I’ve ever met.”

She waves me off. “Tell me why I recognize that woman.”

My heart stops. Shit. I never thought she’d recognize Serenity. My mother has selective memory. I never had to worry about my dad or sister. They never saw her—not even on the live wedding episode. But there’s no use in hiding it. If Mother wants to find out, she’ll dig into Serenity.

“She’s Harmony’s sister,” I say, not once looking away from my mother’s dagger-glaring eyes.

Her nostrils flare. “You dare marry and bring home a gold digger? Harmony got some sense knocked into her, but this one…” She points toward the door where I pray Serenity and Summer aren’t waiting. “She has more at stake being a single mother, and she wanted the pot of gold.”

I rear back. “Never slander Serenity or Harmony again. Thank you for your time, Mother, but I think we’ll leave now.”

As I near the door, I hear a click. I jiggle the doorknob, but it’s no use.

Turning back to face my mother, I say, “Seriously? Let me out. Haven’t you grown tired of using this tactic to control me?”

“Divorce that woman. I’ll send Martha the list of suitable brides by Monday.”

“Mother,” I grind out through gritted teeth. “Serenity is my wife. She’s the only woman who has ever treated me like a man and not a step ladder.”

My mother laughs—no, she cackles—and I know I’ve pushed her over her limit. “Dear, that’s the world we live in. You also must marry up the ladder to stabilize our foothold in society. Women like her are meant for nighttime.”

I inhale sharply, my breathing halting. What. The. Actual. Fuck.

“Serenity is a respected woman. She’s a registered nurse who has a big enough heart to care for strangers, a loving mother, and a fantastic wife who has never made me feel not good enough.” I hold her gaze as I say, “If I had a heart attack, she’d be there by my side.”

My mother’s eyes widen a fraction before she schools her face again.

“When the honeymoon phase is over, you’ll see her true colors,” my mother spits. Her face is beet red now. “I can only hope she doesn’t rob you of all your money and dignity first.”

I don’t dignify that with an answer. Instead, I turn back to the closed door.

“If you go now, you’ll never be a part of this family again,” my mother screeches from behind me.

“Then good riddance.” I bang on the door and say, “Charlie, let me out of here!”

The door opens, and Charlie looks at me with uncertainty in his eyes. “I’m sorry, sir. Mrs. Barlowe told me I had to.”

“If you ever get sick of her abuse, you can come work for me.”

Charlie’s cheeks turn pink, and he nods.

I stride down the hallway and make a beeline for my family. Even though I wasn’t expecting a pleasant time, I went into a boxing ring without realizing it. And now I’m leaving with a lot more bruises than anyone else can see.

“I mean it, Victor. This is your last chance.”

I pause but don’t turn around. “Have a good life, Mother.”

Then I lead Serenity and Summer outside. Tomorrow they can spend time with my dad. The only real parent I’ve had my entire life, even though he’s not even my blood.

***

After everything that happened with my mother, I’ve been inside my library. I shot off a few emails for tomorrow but couldn’t focus any longer. So, I grabbed one of my old comfort reads, Pride and Prejudice, and haven’t moved since.

I kick a leg over my knee and lean back on my lounge chair, flipping the page.

Oh, the irony of how Elizabeth comes from a regular family and Mr. Darcy is wealthy beyond comprehension.

My phone vibrates. Turning on the screen, there’s an email from Matt.