"You are too blinded by pride," she softly states.
"Mom! Brax is lying!" Blue tries again.
I scoff. "Believe whatever you want, but I'm done dealing with it quietly. Keep your daughter away from me and from Valentina."
Skylar nods, earning a glare from her husband. Still, she says, "Brax, I'm so sorry."
My heart hurts. The Ivanovs have always been good friends with the O'Malleys, and Skylar has always been sweet to me. Adrian only started giving me shit once Blue got her crush on me.
I don't say anything. I nod.
Skylar puts her hand on my arm. "I'll walk you out."
I give Adrian one final look, ignore Blue, and move toward the exit. I press the elevator button.
Skylar quietly says, "I'm very sorry for what our daughter has done. Please tell your wife we are sorry as well."
I release an agitated breath. "Get her help, Skylar. Seriously. She's delusional. I tried everything to get her to stop on her own, but she won't leave me alone. Now she's going after Valentina. I won't have it."
A mother's heartbreak flickers in her gaze, mixing with fear.
I add, "Just like Adrian needs to protect his family, I need to protect mine."
She blinks hard and nods. "I understand. I'll handle it."
"Thank you." I step on the elevator and pull out my phone. I dial my wife.
She answers on the second ring, breathless. "Hey. You okay?"
"Did you scratch Blue?" I ask.
Silence sharpens.
My gut drops. "Did you?"
"What in God's name are you asking me?" she spouts.
"I'm asking you if you took your pocket knife and sliced her arm open." I close my eyes and lean against the wall.
Her tone stiffens. "No. Brax, what kind of question is that?"
"Just answer me straight."
Each word comes out clipped with restrained anger. "Are you serious right now?"
"I need to know."
"Of course I didn't. If you don't believe me, talk to security."
Relief fills me, but I still reconfirm. "You swear?"
She gasps, offended in a way that hits me straight in the chest. "I can't believe you're asking me this again. After everything I told you about her chasing me around? After every time I warned you? Wow."
"Valentina—"
"No. You got your answer. Talk to security since you don't believe me." Her voice cracks with fury. The line clicks dead.
The elevator keeps descending, but everything inside me sinks faster.
