Page 78 of Shatter

“You are one of the most recognizable women in the world. You have opportunities most actresses would kill for. And you’re going to give all of that up because Harrison King made you feel special for a few weeks?”

Now she's trying to use guilt and doubt. It doesn't work.

I cross my arms against my chest, unwilling to engage with her anymore.

Her smug smile wavers. And I watch the gears turn in her eyes. She's looking for another lever to pull.

"And what about me, huh? Everything I've sacrificed so that you could be the best? You think I wanted to spend my twenties sitting in audition rooms? You think I wanted to work two jobs so you could take acting lessons?"

"And the money I've made with that career? That you've been saving for me?"

She swallows thickly before regrouping.

“You shouldn’t throw your entire life away while you’re emotional. Take a few months.”

I don't trust the sudden compromise. Because at the end of those few months, she'll have what she wants again - control. It's just another lever to get my cooperation. It's not going to work.

Then she sighs like I’m exhausting her, and all warmth or sickening sweetness vanishes.

“Melody, I cannot spend all afternoon fighting with you about things you wanted six months ago.”

“I want the conservatorship paperwork.”

“You have no idea what you’re doing.”

“Then show me.”

“I protected you.”

"Oh, like you protected me when I was raped?"

Her face pales and her jaw slacks open. Point - me.

Her surprise morphs into righteous indignation and fury.

“You would have nothing without me." Her voice is deadly steady, her mask slipping away completely. No rebuttal. No excuse. No apology for what she let happen to me.

I think about how my life would have been different if I'd had another mother. If I'd never gotten into acting. If I'd had a normal childhood. I drop my gaze to my stomach and press my hand below my belly button. The chance that I'm pregnant is slim to none, but I know for a fact that any baby I have will be protected. I send up a silent promise to my future children that I will protect their childhoods with everything I have.

"I'm going to bed." It's only nine AM, but I'm already done with this conversation. Plus, I have work to do.

"We'll finish this discussion when you've rested," she says to my retreating back. Of course she has to get the last word in. Again, she's trying to control the narrative. Only, this time, it doesn't work.

It doesn't work, because the man I love just spent three months showing me how to make my own decisions, and building me into a stronger version of myself.

Chapter forty-two

Harrison

They don't even knock before coming into my condo. I'm vaguely aware of my friends pouring in and surrounding me. They're talking in hushed voices amongst themselves, but I have nothing to say.

Cammy is thrust into my lap and I can't help the flicker of a smile when I look down at my favorite little girl. Well, one of them. I love Danny and June just as much.

But Cammy's in this incredible stage where her personality is really developing, but she still walks through the world like everything is rainbows and butterflies.

"Why is Uncle Harrison sad?" she asks, poking a chubby finger at my cheek.

I expect someone else to answer, but when they don't, I do. "Remember Melody? I fell in love with her and then she left me."