Page 39 of Always
I asked Raven what she plans on doing with the mansion, but she still doesn't know either. I hope she burns it down. But whatever she decides to do with it, I know it’ll be great.
My wife slinks around a bit, grabbing a rope and putting it over one shoulder so it crosses around her torso but she’s still flitting about like a little butterfly ninja and I suddenly know what she’s looking for. “Oh, c’mere baby. I got you.” I pull out her lucky balaclava from my jacket pocket and she smiles at me so wide, the little dimple on the left side of her chin pops. She comes to me and I put it over her head, kiss her, then pull it over her plush lips. “I love you. You’re so pretty.”
She hums in delight then tips on her toes to kiss me with it on.
I’m really, really trying not to get a quickie in. Plus, she hasn’t been feeling good lately so I’ve been waiting on her to give me the okay. She tested positive for flu but some of her symptoms have stayed and I just know she has to be pregnant. I even told Damon but he said it would be too soon to tell. “Ready baby?”
She nods once, opens the door, and slinks down the hallway. I follow ten seconds behind my raging boner. I holdback my laugh at my silly girl when she does a summersault then gets up and walks like a crab. God, I love her. I know she’s doing it for my benefit, because when she gets to the door of Sofia’s room, she straightens up, and that switchflips.
Chapter Eighteen
Raven.
As I hover over my mother, one word clings to my grey matter, making the back of my skull hum –retribution.
I let my eyes roam over her, so… peaceful in her sleep. Memories come to the forefront. Every hug that became infrequent. Her smiles toward me then became sneers. Her time was given away to everyone until only a fraction of an hour was dedicated to me. and that usually involved a plate of food around a table where Axel was the center of attention. But that was never really an issue with me. I knew if I opened my mouth for longer than necessary I would be criticized.
So I did all the things that meant the attention would not fall on me. I kept my grades top-notch. Stayed in my room and practiced my cello to make sure I was first chair every week. And when summer came around, I applied for any and every music program outside of the continental US so I wouldn’t have to be home. Where I could be…myself.
College was going to be my safe space. A place where I was going to make friends, dress the way I wanted to, meet a cute guy and hopelessly fall in love a few times and get my heart ripped out of my chest before I graduated and then met‘the one.’
So many hopes. So many dreams.
Gone in the blink of an eye. In the break of a leg. In the last beat of heart that was already broken.
And the woman sleeping soundly before me was at the root of it all.
My brows furrow and my eyes narrow as I squint at Sofia’s motionless body. Only the swift rise and fall of her chest tell me she’s alive. Then I look at her lips. The same ones I inherited.
How many times a conversation turned into a screaming match until I realized my words, myvoice, meant nothing to her. So I stopped talking around the mansion. Stopped laughing. Swallowed down my anger because what difference would it make?
Seems I was tongueless a lot longer than I originally thought.
Turning eighteen and going to college was going to change my life. In so many ways, it did. In a weird, fucked up way, I’m grateful for it.
But not for her.
Sofia snores in her sleep. The half-eaten chocolate cake is her only companion in the enormous bed. Her public downfall was glorious. For weeks she tried to say it was AI, but when an anonymous source produced more viable footage of her in the same clothing being seen in Madrid, she backtracked and did the whole “apology” video with fake tears. Still, her empire crashed and burned faster than she could even try to save it.
SOFIA MONROE - RUINED
Inhale.
Exhale.
I follow the rise and fall of Sofia’s chest, now plumper than before and go over to stand by the foot of the bed. I grab the heavy comforter and slowly drag it down her body inch by inch. She stirs softly, hand moving to reach for it and when she doesn’t find it, feeling it slip down her body and past her knees, she jolts up like a doll come to life.
Huh.
How the tables have turned.
When she sees me she shrieks and shuffles closer to the headboard. “Porfavor! I have no money! Take what you want but leave me alone!”
I stop then, recognizing the palpable fear in her pale green eyes. I can almost taste it as my lullaby starts… different now… but there.Ohhhh…. Hello, old friend…it sings to me as chills rush down my spine. I jump on the bed. Sofia squeals, but acts quickly, rolling to the other side and gives chase.
Fuck.
I grin like a fucking villain under my mask, glee tingling every extremity down to my fingers and toes.
