Page 71 of Hate So Deep

Except…wait. Sitting forward, I clenched my fingers around the steering wheel when a pretty, older woman emerged from the store.

Her dark hair glinted in the waning sunshine and my dad pulled her into his arms in broad fucking daylight on the street, where anyone could see.

What the hell?

She was wearing worn jeans and a sloppy t-shirt, and I sneered at the facade of a happy couple before they disappeared inside.

That must be her, his other wife.

Does he sit down to dinner with them? Pretend he hasn’t eaten, or that just an hour ago, he didn’t look into our faces and lie?

Clenching my hand into a fist, I squeezed until the pain superseded all other feelings before driving away.

Fuck this. Fuck him.

Chapter 29

NOW

Lauren

I haven’t heard from my mom since yesterday and although I’m not sure I’m up for another soulless conversation, I think she should know about my meeting with the detective.

I’m guessing they bypassed her altogether because I hit my eighteenth birthday and now, they don’t have to ask for permission.

What am I going to do?

Unfortunately, I’m completely fucking numb and this is how I end up at Colt and Finn’s wedding, trying to pretend that I’m not falling apart.

Finn looks radiant in a cream-colored gown with antique lace. The dress hugs her curves, highlighting her beauty with its simple elegance.

Despite everything, I am happy for her but any semblance of joy I’ve managed to muster sours when Kayla appears at the threshold to the hall where the ceremony will be taking place.

She zeroes in on me immediately, her narrow-eyed gaze indicating her displeasure.

Yeah, it’s probably suspicious that Dirk left with me, but she needs to take that up with her boyfriend.

It’s not my fucking problem.

This is the last place that I want a confrontation, but I brace for it anyway when she stalks toward me in a brilliant red dress that shows all of her assets and hisses, “Back the fuck off.”

If it were anyone else, I’d probably blow them off and walk away but Kayla’s not anyone else. She’s the woman who may steal Dirk away and maybe he was never mine but that doesn’t mean I want him to behers, which is why I spit, “Fuck you.”

When her lips curve into a smile, I wish that the ugly words spewing from her lips detracted from her beauty but no such luck. She’s gorgeous, regardless.

“Rich or not,” she says, looking me up and down. “You’re just a lost little bitch wishing that mommy loved her more than she does her money.”

“What the fuck did you just say?” I sputter, stepping into her face.

I don’t know what rock she crawled out from under, but I won’t take this shit lying down. Rich bitch or not, I’m still gonna kick her ass…

She bobs her head again and I laugh as Finn approaches with Ramie behind her. I need to stop this right now, but I can’t control Kayla and apparently, she’s on a fucking roll.

“I know your type,” she sneers. “I’ve dealt with you my whole life. Newsflash, bitch, you are just as pathetic as you think in your stupid head.”

“You don’t even know me,” I hiss, slamming my hand on my hip.

“No but Dirk does,” she says with a smirk, and I raise my fist.

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