Page 103 of Crossing Lines

“Really?” Mom asks. “We’ve talked regularly, exchanged information. You even asked for tips.”

Evren’s gaze bounces between us, and it’s clear he doesn’t know who to believe right now. Everything she’s saying lines up, and I can see the moment Evren realizes it, too. His face goes completely blank, and he gives me a look that says he doesn’t recognize me.

My heart seizes in my chest. No, he can’t be falling for it. Not him. I can’t lose him because of Mom. Because of whatever twisted game she’s doing now to punish me for keeping this from her. That’s the thing with Mom, there’s no winning.

“Give me a pregnancy test,” I say. “I’ll prove to you she’s lying.”

“Yes,” Mom says. “Get five, just to make sure.”

I blink at Mom in shock. If I took a test right now, it’d prove she’s lying. But she’s not worried, and that doesn’t make sense.

“Please, Evren,” I beg. “I’m telling you the truth. Mom’s wanted the jacket since I’ve moved here. We never talked about you, not once, because she didn’t even know who you were until she saw that photo.”

“Oh, I’ve known all along that you’ve been roommates,” Mom says.

“No, you haven’t,” I say. “Just stop. How much is it going to take to get you to back off?”

“Back off? Baby, we’re just beginning.”

“I won’t allow you to do this,” I say. “I won’t allow you to hurt Evren.” He’s been hurt by too many people, and I refuse to be one of them. I’ll do everything I can to make sure of it.

“Oh really?” Mom asks, looking me up and down. “And what are you going to do?”

“I’ll sell the jacket; I’ll give you all the profits. Just stop withthis nonsense.”

“I’m only looking out for my future granddaughter or grandson.”

That’s the thing with Mom and her lies. She never breaks character. She’ll continue pretending like I’m pregnant for months, years even, just to make everyone around her believe it too. To have people buy into the lie. But…maybe if I can get her to break, Evren will see what she’s doing, will see that she’s lying. It’s just…if I do this, there’s a chance I lose them both. I’ve never provoked Mom. She made sure to instill a fear of going against her at an early age. But that also means I’m not sure how she’ll react. And I also don’t know if Evren will even believe me. If he’ll want me regardless of what happens now.

“Just imagine, I could move here, move in,” Mom says. “We would be one big happy family.”

The thought of living with Mom again is like a pair of heavy hands, reaching out and smothering me. No, I can’t let this continue. Even if I lose both of them, I can’t stand by and let this happen.

“You obviously didn’t teach me anything,” I say, “about trapping someone with a baby, especially when we all know how it went with Miguel.”

And just like that, with the mention of Miguel, the smile Mom’s had on her lips since walking into the living room slips off her face. “Watch your mouth,” she demands.

“Why?” I ask. “Because you’re afraid of the truth? I’ve watched you con people out of money my entire life.But you know who didn’t give you any? Your baby daddy. He did the opposite. He took everything from you instead.”

Nausea rises violently in my throat. Oh God, what have I done? Guilt comes crashing in like a tidal wave, screaming at me to take it back, to apologize. That I can’t talk to her like that, that something bad will happen if I do.

“You bitch,” Bonnie seethes, jumping to her feet. “I should’ve aborted you when I had the chance.”

I gasp, disbelief hitting me like a punch to the chest. She really wentthere. Every fragile hope I’ve clung to—that Mom would get sober, that maybe, somehow, we could rebuild what never really existed—shatters with her words.

I’ve been holding on for so long to a relationship with her, but all I’ve been doing is letting her tear me down, piece by piece.

“Enough,” Evren demands, coming to my side, sliding an arm around my waist. Thank God, because I’m about to collapse and he’s the only thing holding me up right now. He faces Mom and says, “You will never, ever talk about Nina like that again.”

“You don’t get to make that decision,” Mom says smugly, like she thinks I’ll forgive her after saying that to me. “I didn’t mean it. Nina knows that.”

“No,” I say, my entire body shaking uncontrollably. I’ve officially had enough. I can’t take it anymore. I can’t continue to have a relationship with Mom, not whenshe’s so destructive. “We’re done. I’m filing a restraining order against you, and I never want to hear from you again.”

Evren tightens his arm around me, as if in acknowledgement.

Mom laughs. “Sure, whatever you say.”

“I mean it this time,” I say.

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