My father tunes back in only to grunt a response before my mother’sviper smile returns.
I’m a volcano, rumbling and prepared to spew every ounce of hurt and pain this woman has ever inflicted upon me right back on her. To think she was the one who set me up with Jorge fills my mouth with bile.
“Holly,” Mateo whispers in my ear, his voice filled with love and care. I melt into him as his arms tighten around my waist. I focus on his touch, grounding myself in this embrace. I block everything out as I focus on my heart and my God who will guide me through everything. I force my anger down, and only then do I hear a whisper and a deep feeling of love.
Forgive.
My mind protests even as my heart calms.
Forgive as I have forgiven.
It’s as if cold water washes over me, cooling the heat of my rage. I look at my mother and see her for who she is. A woman who doesn’t know how to be a mother. A woman who craves riches more than relationships.
She is someone I don’t know and don’t want to become.
I made the right decision cutting her out of my life.
I tap on Mateo's arms around my waist and he loosens his hold. I take a step forward and square my shoulders. “Mother, I forgive you. I forgive you for not knowing how to be a mother, or a decent human being. I don’t understand you. I don’t understand how you could be this way, but I forgive you anyway. That being said, I never want to see you again. Stay away from me and my life. Goodbye.”
Mother’s mouth closes, and her eyes widen. I nod at my father. Mateo grabs my hand, looping my arm through his, and leads me down the hallway back toward the ballroom.
“You okay, Holly?”
I muster a smile. “I will be. I need to talk to Rodney, and then we’re leaving.”
He nods, his lips thin, and there’s a tightness around his eyes. “Okay, I’ll find him.”
My heart pounds as he scours the crowd. Adrenaline fuels me as I rehearse the words I need to say to the man who’s been manipulating me for six years.
Chapter 42
My Wife
Mateo
Holly amazes me. The way she handled the situation with her parents has me in awe. It took everything in me to not say a word, to let Holly fight her own battle. How I wish I could punch her father in the face for letting his wife be mean to Holly.
How could they hurt Holly like that? How could they even think any form of manipulation was okay?
Heat boils in my chest. I need to find the ugly face that belongs to Axel Rodney Miles.
His name is going to be my new fake swear word.
I spot him next to the drinks—as if he needs more alcohol in his system.
Wow, I really need to get out of here and let off some steam.
I lead Holly to Rodney and stop a foot away from him. He looks up and sneers at me before making eye contact with Holly. He starts to speak, but Holly beats him to the punch.
“Rodney, your mentorship of me is terminated immediately. I quit being a PR manager. I never want to see your conniving, manipulating face ever again. You disgust me. Don’t contact me ever again.”
Before I can do anything, she pulls her arm from mine, spins, and walksaway. I don’t waste a second following her through the crowd. I trail behind her, letting her have a dramatic exit, which she totally deserves after that awesomeness.
I feel like shouting at the crowd, “Ladies and gentleman, that is MY WIFE!”
I don’t, because I am trying to control my impulses, but I do a little fist pump to celebrate Holly’s independence from the toxic people in her life.
Holly stops at the valet’s desk, giving me the second I need to catch up to her. I wrap my arms around her shoulders and pull her against my chest. She buries her face in my shirt and I hold her as her shaking limbs still.
