Page 89 of The Cost of Love

“Please tell me you’re joking.”

“I’m not,” I say, finally moving around her. Immediately, her hand grasps my arm, turning me back in her direction.

“Whatever you think you can get from him, I’ll double it.”

My cheeks sting from the slap of her words, and now it’s my mouth hanging open. Lost in the dreamlike nature of this reality, this conversation only becomes more warped as she keeps speaking.

“I’ll write you a check right now.”

I snatch my arm from her grasp and take a step back. Her audacity is making this large bathroom feel too small. Almost as small as her mind, and the things that seem to matter in it. I don’t know why I didn’t think it would be this bad. It was Elizabeth she wanted on his arm.

“All your son has promised me is love and respect. If you are willing to double that, then we are practically family,” I hiss at her. I stand up straighter, showing her the backbone that won’t have me bending to her will.

“This can’t be happening again.” She presses her hand to her wrinkle-free forehead that showcases none of her grief. Holding herself in a way that would make her seem regal, the look of hatred burning in her eyes shows me exactly who she is.

Not willing to see the rest of her breakdown, I move towards the door.

I hear the clicking of her heels, and then she is in front of me again, blocking my way. A few women enter the bathroom, their eyes trailing to our showdown. The sudden attention has her lowering her voice.

“My son has to marry and continue the Whitmore line, and that can’t happen with you.”

I don’t know if she is racist, classist, or both, but frankly, I don’t give a damn.

“Please move.”

“Do you know what you are? You’re a fling, a fantasy, an adventure, you will never be his wife.” The words are barely above a whisper, but they push me back like she yelled them.

Verbally assaulted for the last time by this woman, I physically move her out of my way and make my escape.

By the time I make it back into the main room, the only thing holding back my tears is my rage. Like an electric fence, all my embarrassment sizzles against it every time it tries to show itself.

I want to just leave, but he is waiting for me at the entrance to the room. The smile that takes over his face when he sees me instantly lowers. The twist of my mouth pulls it down.

“What happened?”

“I met your mother.” I keep walking past him, not intending to speak with another Whitmore tonight.

He trails beside me, his pace even with my own. Before I can walk out of the building, he grabs my arm.

“What did she say, Chanice?”

“Nothing I don’t already know. Now, please, just let me leave.” My voice quivers as the dam holding back my tears is about to break.

I take a deep breath. The last thing I need to end this night is to fall apart in front of these people.

“Whatever she said, it isn’t true.”

“Alex, I need to go. We can talk about this another time.”

“I’ll come with you.”

“No. I want to be alone.”

His hand lowers from my arm. I squeeze it and then turn and run away from this life.

Chapter 34

Alex