Page 41 of Unveiled

Her eyes narrowed before she gave a haughty toss of her head. “Adalyn, we’ll talk later.”

“Okay.”

Adalyn’s eyes remained glued to the countertop, but he saw her flinch when the front door slammed, punctuating Evelyn’s dramatic exit. He stared at Adalyn, willing her to meet his gaze. Finally, steel-gray eyes lifted to his, and the words poured from his mouth. “What just happened?”

CHAPTER

TWENTY-THREE

Evelyn had happened. Like a hurricane, she swept into Adalyn's life then left her to pick up the destruction she left in her wake. Inhaling deeply, Adalyn swallowed down her frustration. “It’s fine.”

“It’s not fine.” Jaxon eyed her like she had two heads. “She insulted you, insulted our daughter…”

Adalyn knew all that. She’d been dealing with the same thing for twenty-six years. If she’d learned anything during that time, it was that her mother loved to fight. She thought she was always right, and she’d argue until she was blue in the face—or until the other person gave up. Which happened far more often than it should. Adalyn had no desire to engage in any kind of confrontation with her. It was easier to just let her spout her opinions, then leave.

She waved a hand. “It doesn’t matter.”

“It does matter.”

Adalyn bristled. “She just…” She just what? Jaxon wasn’t wrong.

He continued, undaunted, when she remained silent. “She’s manipulative, and you don’t have to put up with that. Especially from your own mother, of all people.”

Adalyn could feel her emotions shutting down. Tired of conflict, she turned toward the sink and busied her hands rinsing the dishes. “Okay.”

Jaxon let out a growl behind her. “Don’t do that.”

“What?” Adalyn heard the flat tone of her voice, but she refused to let him get under her skin.

All of a sudden, he was beside her. Cupping her elbow in one huge hand, he turned her to face him. “Don’t shut me out like that.”

“Like what?”

“That same crap you just pulled with her where you close yourself off and say something just to appease me.”

Adalyn dropped her gaze and studied the grain running through the wood planking beneath her feet.

“Adalyn.”

She flinched at his hard tone. “Please stop yelling.”

Out of her peripheral vision, she watched Jaxon’s mouth open, then slam shut again. His huge hands gripped her upper arms, demanding her attention, and she reluctantly lifted her eyes to his. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. I’m not yelling at you. I just… Help me understand. Because I don’t get it. Why do you let her talk to you like that?”

“It’s just how she is.” Adalyn shrugged, and he released his hold on her. “She’s done this for years. She has an opinion about everything.”

“That’s more than opinionated, and it’s a terrible excuse for her behavior.” Jaxon pointed to the bag of frilly pink dresses on the counter. “She thinks that buying you things gives her the right to say whatever she wants. That’s not okay. Love doesn’t come at a price, Adalyn. You do something nice for someone because you care—not so you can manipulate them.”

Adalyn swallowed hard. “She likes to buy Jaclyn things…” Because it was all she had to offer. She didn’t spend any quality time with Jaclyn, instead showing up with gifts, breezing in and out of their lives every week or so.

Her mother was a pain in the ass. Adalyn knew it all too well, and now, so did Jaxon. She wasn’t ever going to change, so Adalyn wouldn’t waste her breath trying to reason with her.

“You’re so smart and strong and independent.” Adalyn’s cheeks heated as Jaxon began to speak. “You can’t let her make you feel bad for any of those things.”

Adalyn’s mother’s words from the past came floating back to her. I only want what’s best for you. But that wasn’t quite true, was it? Evelyn wanted what was best for her. Tears pricked Adalyn’s eyes and burned the back of her throat. Not because Evelyn’s words had made her angry or upset—but because of Jaxon. Even still mad at her, he hadn’t hesitated to support her. It felt good to have someone to hold her up instead of tear her down.

He met her gaze, studying her for a long moment. He lifted one hand and brushed a thumb over her cheek. “Don’t ever sell yourself short. You’re incredible, Adalyn, just the way you are.”

Adalyn swallowed hard, completely unsure of what to say. No one had ever stood up for her this way before. Not even Shawn. He’d seemed to care for her, yes, but he had the same pretentious air that her mother did. He was constantly trying to change her.