Page 121 of First Chance

Dread fills me as I scramble to find something to put on, but all I had when I came over here was my silk robe, and it’s still on the bathroom floor.

I snatch Lochlan’s T-shirt and boxers off the floor and hurtle myself down the stairs, slamming into the door before swinging it open.

“Mom, what are you doing here?”

Her sneer deepens immediately upon setting her eyes on me. I didn’t check the mirror, but I’m sure I look crazy.

“I came to save my daughter from this barbarian, but I can see you’ve already ruined yourself for him.”

“Don’t call him that.” I might not have much of a backbone when it comes to the woman who birthed me, but I’ll stand tall for my fiancé.Fakefiancé.

“Look at you! You’re a disgrace already.”

“I’m not.”

“What do you think you’re doing? Honestly. Do you think this man is going to give you a good life? Provide for you? He lives in a farmhouse for Christ’s sake. This isn’t you!”

“Youdon’t get to tell me who I am. You have no idea who I am.”

For the first time in my life, I feel confident and happy with myself. I have no desire to seek her approval, and I don’t care if she dislikes me. I don’t need her.

“You can tell Dad and Conrad I won’t be attending any more events. You can consider me no longer a part of your family.”

“You’ve turned into a whore and lost your mind.”

My head jerks to the side as if I’ve been slapped. I know it isn’t true, but hearing her say that so crudely is like pouring alcohol on an open wound.

“Get the fuck off my property,” Lochlan’s voice booms from the top of the stairwell.

His steps are slow and calculated as he descends the stairs. He’s only wearing a towel around his waist, and his hair is still wet from his shower, but he looks as menacing as always.

“I could kill you for taking her from us!” She seethes through her teeth.

Suddenly, I realize she’s the ugliest woman alive.

“Then you better bring an army,” he says over my shoulder, grabbing the door and slamming it in her face.

I stare at the stained wood until it’s nothing but a brown blur before my eyes.

“The first thing I’m doing when we get the money from my grandmother’s paintings is to get a gate that doesn’t open for anyone.”

I ignore his words, walking over to the mirror on the other side of the room to stare at myself.

My hair is messy and the curls have fallen loose, my makeup has mostly faded away, and I’m wearing Lochlan’s clothes. She called me a whore, but I didn’t feel like one until she said it.

I felt cared for and cherished, not used.

“Am I a whore?” My insecurities are forging forward, and the peace from this morning evaporates the longer I look atmy reflection.

“What? Of course, not.”

“She makes me feel so disgusting. All I can see are my flaws.” I palm my stomach, dragging his shirt up and out of the way to look at the softness that I’ve always wished was toned. My forearm pushes my breasts that are too heavy, higher.

If I rotate my leg the light catches the cellulite in my thighs and my calves that are too wide.

A large hand covers my stomach, drawing my focus there.

“I’m not a man who knows much, but I know you are a woman who has no business worrying about her flaws.”

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