As the crowd thins and excuses are made, nearly every single person goes to Nick and Walker. Hands are placed onshoulders, hugs are given. Not grand or vocal, but it’s clear that they aren’t swayed by Macie’s smear campaign, especially when only a handful bother to even look in Macie’s direction. Even as they pass over the threshold, they turn and wave at the two sitting on the sofa while Macie…
Macie huddles in the kitchen, bony fingers clasped tight around a teacup. Her full attention is fixed on her daughter, husband and stepson. It’s the unwavering focus of a snake creeping up behind a field mouse.
It’s eating her alive.
She’s not even bothering with her usual mask. It’s put right out in the open for all to see the vicious and poisonous woman hidden amongst them.
I stroll over.
I step straight into the cramped space with the viper and smile when she rounds her gaze to me.
“What an exciting Christmas,” I say, planting my bulk directly in her path, not that she’s making any effort to escape. But why give her the option? “It’s not every day you get to watch someone burn every bridge they have. Though, it does solve the problem of driving all the way to Piper Falls. It was so tedious, but that’s what you do for someone you love, right? You make sacrifices and put up with things you hate.” I click my tongue. “At least you no longer have to worry about that anymore.”
The delicate ceramic strikes the countertop with enough rage that a tiny corner chips. Tea sloshes over the rim. It stains the marble.
“If you think you can threaten me…”
I bottle back my chuckle.
“Oh, I don’t think that’s necessary, do you? We’re still sort of family, after all.” I lean my hip against the marble. “Family is supposed to support each other in times of great strife and upheaval. That’s a funny word, isn’t it? Upheaval? So weird.”
Macie’s eyes narrow into slits of confusion. Like she can’t fully decide if I’m insane or not.
“I am not the villain here,” she counters sharply. “I have done nothing wrong.”
I shrug. “That’s one way to look at it, I suppose. We all believe ourselves as victims and I think that’s a human thing. The question is, do I think you’re a victim and the answer is no. I think you kept digging your grave until you hit the septic tank and now you’re covered in shit. Unfortunate, because I like Walker. He’s a good guy. Truthfully,” I fold my arms over my chest, “in my line of work, there are at least eight women I know who would love to meet him.”
The implication hits home almost immediately. It dulls her complexion to a pasty green and her fingers curl at her sides, but I’m not done.
“Sometimes, we forget what’s important and make terrible choices that effect—”
“I haven’t done anything,” she cuts me off. “I have been nothing but supportive and caring to you and Nick from day one. I’ve been like a mother to you both.”
“You do realize you have a whole daughter of your own, right? A smart and beautiful, and incredibly kind woman who has wanted nothing but your love.”
The look on her face can only be described as baffled. Disgusted even. She stares up at me like I’m talking about a pet rock.
“You’re still looking at her through rose colored glasses, Dominic. You’re thinking with the head in your pants. You don’t see just how blind she’s made you both to her curse, because that is what she is. A curse. A black hole that sucks the life and happiness from around her. From her birth, she has been nothing but a burden I had to endure and endure, I have. I gave up years of my youth with her clinging to me like a rock,destroying my every chance at happiness until all I could settle for is this life and now, she’s ruined even that.”
It all makes sense now, I think as I listen to her grievances and realize the problem.
“You don’t have to worry about her ruining your life anymore,” I assure her, swallowing the hot well of anger lodged in my throat. “I will make it my life’s purpose to keep her as far from you as humanly possible. After tonight, I don’t think it will be all that difficult. You have burned your bridge with me and Isla, but also with Nick. And let’s be honest, Walker will never pick you over his son. He’s not a piece of shit, and he does deserve better. He deserves someone who won’t destroy his entire family. Who will give him peace, not chaos. Unfortunately, bless him, Walker is a bit oblivious and needs a nudge to see what’s right in front of him.”
I pause to glance back to where Nick is talking to his dad with Isla snuggled in his lap, head on his shoulder. Walker no longer seems distressed, but resigned. A little sad.
“He can do better,” I mutter out loud, turning back to the she-demon glowering up at me. “I think your time with this family is at an end, Macie. I don’t care where you go—”
“I am not leaving!”
I put a hand up to silence her shriek. “You will. Whether you do so of your own free will or I will forcibly remove you, but you’re not staying. What will it be?”
Her sputtering any other time would have been amusing, except I’m not amused.
“Where do you expect me to go?”
I shrug. “Don’t give a shit. Call your ex-husband. Wherever you go, you will not come back. You will not reach out to anyone here.”
Her lips purse thin. “And why would I do that? What makes you think I will listen to you?”
