Page 98 of My Heartless Soul

Viola. Vassar’s ex and a monster in my little girl’s book.

“Vicky, baby, come to Mama. I’ve missed you so much,” she says in a fake, sweet voice that I detect way too easily.

“She’s not going anywhere, and I suggest you step away right this second.” I’m surprised any words come out with how hard I’m clenching my teeth.

“Vicky, tell your nanny that I am your mom so she can relax, mkay?” She directs that stupid smile at me, and I’m trying really hard to understand how the hell my Vassar married that. And then I remember him telling me that he only married her because she got pregnant, and I see it as clearly as a day.

She’s set it up. She fell pregnant on purpose because Vassar was an up-and-coming chef. It’s the reason I hired him back then. I saw the crazy talent and potential he had, and this bitch thought she could take a slice out of him, and I want to curse this fucking universe to hell and back for allowing someone like that a chance to have this beautiful family when she never deserved it or wanted it in the first place.

But now is not the time. I need to get Victoria as far away from this monster as I can. “Little mermaid,” I say softly, not to spook her too much because she’s gone so pale, I’m getting worried. “Honey, let’s go home. Mr. Henry is right there.” I point to my Rolls Royce standing nearby, and she nods shakily.

“Wait a second there, lady,” Viola says and grabs the sleeve of my jacket. “This is my daughter, and she wants to stay with her mommy, don’t you, baby?”

Maybe others wouldn’t hear the threat laced in those words, but as I’m someone who has been on the receiving end of one too many of those, I hear it, and red clouds my vision.

Specifically, because I know she declined any sort of rights to her daughter in their divorce. She didn’t want any part in being her mom.

And I’m guessing she’s only back now because she saw Vassar’s name circulating the internet and decided to capitalize on him once again.

I look down at where her disgusting hand has a hold on me, and when I lift my eyes back up to her, she unintentionally takes a step back but still holds onto me. Because my eyes scream bloody murder. I can feel them getting darker and angrier by a second, and she sees it, too.

I may be changing my ways when I’m around Vassar and Victoria, but I am who I am to everyone else. I’m that heartless demon many fear.

“I urge you to take that hand off me before I snap it in half, which I already want to do for all you’ve done, but please give me one more reason,” I grit out, but then I unclench my teeth and turn to Victoria. “Vee, why don’t you go wait in the car?”

“No, I want to stay with you.” She grips my hand harder, and I give her a reaffirming squeeze back.

“Y-you have no right,” she falters. “I’m her mother, and you are some filthy nanny that my husband wants to fuck. He loves me. He always loved me. I am the mother of his fucking child. You are nothing!” Jesus Christ, does she even care that her five-year-old daughter is standing next to us, hearing her crude words? “So, I urgeyouto step back because I am back.”

My head tips back, and an almost demonic laugh spills out of me, and this time, she really reels back. “Oh, you little, delusional and a lot pathetic waste of space,” I say with dangerous calmness. One of those you know holds a promise for something much worse to come. “I would love to call you a much more colorful word, but my little girl is standing right here.” I tip my head down to Vee, who is slowly relaxing as I handle the woman who gave birth to her. “Do you even know who I am? Did you really think your cute show would force me away?” I don’t let her get a word in as I continue, “Well, let me clarify it for you. I am Kira Clark, Google it. And stay the hell away from my family or so help me God, I won’t rest until I destroy you. And I’m good at that. Really”—my voice dips lower—“really eff-ing good at it.”

With one last glare, I turn with Vee and start moving towards my car when that disgusting hand grabs onto me again, but I don’t get to say anything because my little girl silences all of us with one simple phrase, “Don’t touch my mommy!”

And my heart fills with so many emotions. First, fear that she is talking to me and that I shouldn’t touch Viola, but then that soul-crunching fear disappears when she clings onto my leg and glares at the blonde woman. And a new type of fear sets in. The one that holds promises of a future I could only dream of. One that fills me with pure, undiluted joy pouring out of me. And lastly, fear that this was a fluke, and she doesn’t actually think that. She doesn’t mean to call me the M-word.

“She’s not your mother, Victoria,” Viola spits out. “I am.”

“No. You’re not. Please, Mommy, can we go home now?” Vee looks up to me, and the wings that were clipped, chopped off painfully many years ago stretch out, expanding wide and big once again. Filling me with pride and love and life.

“Yes, we can, little mermaid.” I brush her cheek. “Leave,” I tell Viola. “Leave and never come back. In fact, I think I may help you.” I send her one of my chilling smiles. “There is nothing here for you anymore.”

Chapter forty-seven

Vassar

Song: Madison Beer – Sweet Relief

Kira missed the dinner service tonight, and as much as I tried to not show it, I was freaking the fuck out the whole time. She didn’t pick up any of my calls and didn’t respond to the texts I sent her.

The only thing I got was after she picked up Victoria from school, saying she got her and that they were headed home. That’s it. So, I was counting the minutes to the end of service, and when I messed up the fifth plate of the night, the team sent me home early.

It’s crazy to think of Kira’s apartment as home. Something I literally didn’t see coming, but it long lost its soulless nature. It’s now filled with color from Vee’s paintings and warmth from our love. Also, our daughter’s toys being spread out throughout the whole space does help with that as well.

Neither one of us has mentioned me, Victoria, and Sophie moving out, and quite frankly, I don’t want to move out unless Kira comes with us. I can’t imagine not going to bed with her when we come back tired as hell from the restaurant—it’s bad enough that she had to go to Daze two days ago and run thedinner there instead. I can’t imagine waking up without her red hair splayed on the pillow next to mine or her fit, little body curled into mine.

I can’t imagine not sinking into her at any hour of the night or day. I can’t and I won’t because when I asked Julius for her hand, I meant it. I plan on making it all official. I just need to talk to Victoria first to make sure she is okay with that idea, although I don’t see her not being good with it.

My daughter might love Kira more than she loves me. The other day, she requested Kira to do bath time with her, and what do you know? My little witch leaves in the middle of dinner service to go to Vee and stays with her until she is sound asleep. So yeah, I am pretty sure there won’t be any objections.

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