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It hits me like the spike of cold on the first snowfall. The filth coating her words and how they pierce through me one by one.
Matthew is the love of my life. He’s everything to me, and I will not stand for her disgusting accusations.
“I don’t want any of those things.” The truth feel bigger in my mouth. “I’m so done…with you both.” I look at my father. He’s the only person I ever had a chance at reasoning with, and even he hasn’t been there for me. “I spent my whole life looking up to you; I wanted to follow in your footsteps. I even put together a business plan for my own inn, but I’m over being a part of this family,” I say.
He looks stunned. “An inn?”
“Yes, Dad, in Tarrytown.”
“No. We won’t approve your trust,” Mom cries.
My father turns to her.“Vivian, I don’t think that’s necessary.”
“Let me handle this, Ray.” Her piercing glare shoots at me. It’s heartbreaking to look into eyes that so closely resemble mine and see them abandoned of an ounce of love. “That’s right. No trust. No money. What will you do now?”
“Had you actually paid attention to me, you’d know that I can figure it out,” I state, holding my ground.
The fear of losing my parents’ financial support is terrifying, but it’s also liberating.
I will set myself free.
My mother mumbles under her breath.
“Molly, Vivian, why don’t we all try to discuss this after the party?”
As I open my mouth to speak, another set of footsteps echoes through the ballroom.
Matthew rushes toward me, and relief seeps through me.
“Oh, look, the knight in shining armor has arrived to take our daughter away,”Mom sneers.
Matthew ignores her, coming to my side. “Molly, are you alright?” One of his hands brushes against my cheek, swiping away the damp line of tears I hadn’t realized were there. I nod, hoping that the pain in my eyes is enough of an explanation for what’s happening.
“This doesn’t concern you,” Mom snaps. “Molly isourdaughter.”
I whip around, baring my teeth at her. Matthew clears his throat.“If you’re talking to my woman, it concerns me.”
“Yourwoman?”
“Matthew and I truly care for each other, and I’m as much his as he is mine,” I sigh, reaching a point of done I haven’t felt before.
“Absolutely not.” Her cheeks turn beet purple.
“Doll, let’s reconsider this.” Dad looks small beside her. “I’m sure we can all come to some kind of—”
“Don’t call me that anymore,” I interrupt.
“We won’t support this relationship. It’s final.” She gives us a once-over. “The family legacy must carry on, and it needs to happen with someone who fits into our—”
“Don’t even think about finishing that sentence,” I snarl. The rage and indignation coursing through my veins threaten to consume me entirely, leaving nothing but a shell of myself.
But I won’t let that happen, and I refuse to let her disrespect me or Matthew any longer.
The man who has held me together through all of this, the one who has been my rock and my source of comfort.
The man who has helped me realize that I’ve lived my life in fragments, barely able to make sense of the pieces. The kind, consistent, reliable man I am lucky to call my partner.
It’s not about me anymore. It’s about him too. He doesn’t deserve to be treated this way, not by my parents or anyone else.
