Page 249 of Vexatious Queen

“But you certainly have his arrogance.”

I nodded. “In spades. I guess I wasn’t lucky enough to get rid of all the family traits, but I didn’t end up with his degenerate side, so I’ve accepted that I can be an inconsiderate asshole sometimes. But your daughter keeps me in line…most of the time anyway.”

“Well, what’s life if we can’t be an asshole now and then?” She cleared her throat. “Nash, I want to apologize for my behavior upstairs.”

“No apology needed. I wanted to kill my father my whole life, so I get it. He really could rub people the wrong way,” I said, knowing it was an understatement. But if I started listing all the ways my father was a fucking piece of shit, I’d be here for the next year.

“No, that’s not fair. I was feeling emotional about something that had nothing to do with you. Something I’m not sure I’ll never be fully over, but that is not on you,” she said, her features softening.

“My father has done irreparable damage to more people than I can count. You are not the first to judge me because of him, and I’m sure you won’t be the last. I have a sinking feeling that his stench will follow me for a long time. Bright side, he’s dead, so he can’t hurt anyone else.”

Yuliana’s mouth curved up at the corner.

“Ren says that you’re nothing like him. I can see that now. I was out of line and shocked that Ren was married. Especially, since one of the people I was trying to protect her from was your father. To find out about the two of you…let’s just say it took me a moment. I may have overreacted, just a little.”

“Just a little,” I said and smirked. “I get it.”

I looked at Ren, who even now made my heart warm with her unwavering kindness.

“I know exactly how lucky I am, though. You don’t need to worry about me taking our relationship for granted.”

I offered a little smile, and she opened her arms for a hug. I hesitated but accepted the gesture.

“You seem scared,” she said.

“You’re kinda terrifying,” I admitted.

Yulianna chuckled. “Then just remember that if you ever hurt my daughter, and that includes breaking her heart, I’m far more ruthless than Eddie,” she whispered, and a shiver raced down my spine. I believed her.

“I won’t. I swear,” I said as she pulled back.

Yuliana opened her mouth to say something else when a loud crash made us both jump. We turned, and there in the middle of the foyer stood Sabastian, the ceramic plate smashed into pieces at his feet.

He stepped over the shards, shock written all over his face.

“Mom?”

The word cracked out of him like it hurt. He blinked and then shook his head.

“No…no, you’re not.”

“Oh shit Sabastian,” Ren said, joining us.

“Sabastian? Oh,” Yuliana said as she recognized him.

Ren stepped forward.

“Sabastian, I’m so sorry. I should’ve thought to tell you about my mum being…well, alive. I just found out and have been in shock myself.”

He hadn’t heard a single word Ren said. From one heartbeat to the next, his face shifted from dumbfounded to enraged. His gaze sharpened as something menacing glinted behind his eyes. My stomach tightened, and my fists balled. I cracked my neck, ready for the fight.

“No,” he snarled, stepping forward. “No, you don’t get to be here. This is not fair.”

Ren lifted her hands like she was trying to ward him off as he took another step.

Sabastian laughed, but the sound was hollow.

“This is bold. Just walking in like you haven’t destroyed everyone’s lives with your selfish actions.”