We’d had an old upright when I was a kid. The whole family used to love hearing her play. Sometimes she’d sing, her voice like a sweet lullaby. I couldn’t remember the last time she’d bothered.
At least as I approached, I was gifted with a mini concert. Instead of heading inside immediately, I hugged the wall just outside the door, enjoying remembering the past. When she crashed her arms down on the keys, it was my cue to go in. A single wrong note had pushed her over the edge.
Since my father’s death, her entire personality had changed. Very slowly, she’d driven her sadness into a black box, emerging angry and bitter. Then another personality had emerged, one as greedy and self-serving as my stepfather.
Now I barely recognized her any longer.
I didn’t bother knocking, opening the door and taking long strides in her direction where she remained sitting upright, her fingers still on the keys of the piano. She was dressed elegantly while I was wearing a jean skirt and a university sweatshirt, my combat boots more out of defiance than comfort. My stepfather hated them.
“Hey, Mom. I have something for you.” A peace offering. Flowers. And I wasn’t certain why I’d bothered. Maybe because I used to pick wildflowers for her as a child, eager to see the joy they brought her since we had no money.
Maybe I just longed to relive those days before she’d grown used to the money and clout, her entire personality cold. She’d even told me more than once never to mention my real father again. I’d wanted to hate her, but at least I’d learned through advice that the only way she’d managed to deal with her grief was by pretending that life didn’t exist.
She turned her head, immediately frowning seeing the clothes I’d chosen as well as the cheap bouquet I held in my hand. Her disdain left an acrid taste in my mouth. “I didn’t hear you come in.” At least she managed a smile if only briefly and a tiny part of the mother who’d shooed away monsters and created magical kingdoms returned. “Oh, they’re… lovely.”
Lovely. She hated them. I didn’t care. I’d tried and wouldn’t bother doing so again.
“I thought you needed a little pick-me-up.” I watched as she fingered the velvet petals. Just before my father had died, he’d brought her pink roses. For years, she’d kept the dried petals, protected in the filmy sheet of pink blush surrounding them when purchased. My guess was they’d been burned during the move.
“You’re so sweet.” The light of remembrance began to fade, the blank mask I’d become accustomed to returning. I suddenly shivered, curious as to why the urgency, having me rush here from school.
“It sounded like you needed to see me for a reason.” My skin was already crawling.
“I’m fine. Just… Fine.” Yet she had a faraway look in her eyes. She took a few seconds to inhale the scent of the roses. Maybe I hadn’t been a good enough daughter in ensuring that she had what she needed and didn’t require a shoulder to cry on. I just hadn’t been up for the task. I wasn’t good at lying or pretending.
Plus, she’d chosen her husband and new life over her daughter.
“Then what is it? I have midterms to study for.”
As soon as she lifted her head, her eyes darting to the side, my blood turned to ice. I should have known better. “I’m sorry, Daniella. Zane was worried about me and insisted I call you. Plus, we have a few things to discuss, and I thought it better coming from me given your hatred of your father.”
Just hearing the term made me cringe deep inside. “You mean Walter? He’s not my father.”
“Don’t be a little bitch.” The shock of her tone and the word she used hurt worse than if she’d slapped me.
“What?”
“You heard me.” She jerked to a standing position, the flowers all but forgotten. “You’ve been so ungrateful since we were given the gift of being taken into Walter’s home and his life.”
“Mom. That’s crazy. Gift?” The old argument was on the tip of my tongue.
She moved closer, her eyes turning into pinpricks. “God. I don’t know you any longer. Who do you think put food on the table and bought your clothes? Who do you think provided the money for that fancy college you’re in?”
Maybe she’d forgotten, but since the day I’d turned fifteen, I’d worked my butt off. Even earlier, I’d babysat for anyone who’d allow me to take care of their kid. I’d set aside every dime for my dreams. Walter had insisted on paying for my college education, choosing the only college acceptable for a girl like me. I fought tears because I no longer recognized her.
“What are you trying to tell me?”
“That the freeloading is over.”
I had no idea what to say. “I don’t understand.”
“Of course you don’t.” The look in her eyes was one I couldn’t understand and certainly didn’t want to learn more about.
A sick feeling pooled in my stomach, cramps forcing me to pant. “So what do you want?”
“For you to finally learn to be obedient. Given your attitude, I feel I need to be blunt. You’re going to be married, Daniella. Now, we’ll make all the arrangements to ensure the wedding and reception are the social event of the year. Fortunately, Walter was able to make suitable arrangements given you aren’t blood. This will bring our family name back from the shadows.”
What? What in the hell was she telling me? Shadows? What shadows? “Married? I have no intention of being married to anyone Walter suggests. Ever.”
