Page 70 of The Tenth Circle
“And I’m happy you will finally have the mother figure you need.”
Discomfort mars the joy on Theory’s face, leaving her to resort to actually eating the breakfast I can tell Mom had a chef make.
Archer’s palm rubs my knee lightly, but there’s a heaviness beading off him. Reading my mind so much better than I’m reading the room.
I never knew it was possible to feel hurt and joy at the same time. For my life to change more than it already has.
A tear falls freely down my cheek, so I swipe it away with the back of my hand, hoping the move goes unnoticed.
“We’re so happy to welcome you both into our family,” Vic says with a passive, yet possessive undertone. As if the Lavells are the only ones here doing the accepting.
Immediately after this statement, Saint joins the parade with a crooked grin straight ahead that makes me want to flip the table.
“Ourfamily,” I correct with a snap in my tone. “We’ll be welcoming you intoourfamily.”
“Hendrix…” Mom shoots me a chastising tone, but I don’t give a shit.
I didn’t ask to be welcomed, especially not like this, especially not by them, therefore I’ll be the only one doing any accepting.
And right now there is none.
Because I will never consider Saint my family.
Only my adversary.
He seems to share the sentiment because the stupid grin forms into a scowl. I return his gesture with the same grin he had prior.
Got you in your feelings, fucker.
Good. Now choke on them.
“It’s okay, Juniper.” Vic rests a hand on her shoulder. “Hendrix is right, it’s a two way street.”
The irony is strong and pungent, since our condo was literally built on a one way street.
With the best craft store right across from it.
The potential of events following this marriage drowns me in an overload of the emotions I’m trying so damn hard to hide.
Fear, sadness, guilt. Suppressed happiness for my mom.
My chest clenches in horror with the idea of sharing a life with these people, even if two-thirds of them seem to not be so bad.
The need to escape overwhelms me, in more ways than one, so when I jump out of my seat it’s with no control of my own.
“I can’t do this,” I say, mostly to myself with a shake of my head. When I snatch my phone off the table Mom and Archer fly to their feet.
“Please don’t follow me.”
They nod and I take off, so much faster than I should for someone trying to keep their cool.
I let the tears fall like buckets as I take my time getting dressed, knowing every single person in the other room, including Saint, is aware I’m breaking down.
And he’s probably basking in victory because of it.
In a matter of twenty-four hours my world was flipped upside down twice, the parts of it I love shattered in pieces on the floor.
I must have pissed off the universe in a past life, because regardless if Mom and Victor get married or not, they’re still in love. Therefore, I’ll be subjected to sharing some kind of life with Saint. There’s no way around it, above, or beneath it.
