“We didn’t have time to discuss it during Gerry’s dinner, but the gala to commemorate your sister was a resounding success,” she discloses with pride. “Your absence for the second half was barely noticed, so no need to feel guilty about abandoning us for God knows what.”
“I was feeling ill,” I lie.
“That always seems to happen to you at the most inconvenient times. But that’s alright. Like I said, you didn’t ruin anything.”
Our drinks arrive before she can say more, and as soon as the waitress is gone, she offers me a content look. “We raised a lot more than we expected for your sister’s foundation.”
“It isn’t hers,” I mumble behind my steaming cup of tea.
“What was that?”
“It’syourfoundation, not Victoria’s.”
“It’s in her name, so there’s barely any nuance there.”
Before I can stop myself, my eyes roll up to the ceiling in an exasperated way. Mother notices and sets her coffee down with a miffed expression. Nothing good ever happens when she pinches her lips like this.
“What is it?” she demands.
I wince, focused on the slice of lemon floating in my cup. “Nothing, I’m just…”
When my words die off, unsure what to say, she sighs exasperatedly and says, “Please, don’t tell me it’s about that barbarian of a man. You did well to breakup with him.”
I frown, confused as to why Jake is suddenly the subject of our conversation. “We’re not broken up. Things are a little tense, but that’s it.”
“You’re not? Genevieve, I thought I was being very clear.”
“And I thought I was twenty-seven and in charge of my own decisions.”
“Of course you are. But if you want to be part of this family, you cannot bring that man into it. I won’t tolerate it, and neither will your father.”
“So, it’s either the man I love or my family?” I ask, stunned.
It’s her turn to roll her eyes. “You do not love him.”
“Don’t tell me how I feel, Vivienne.”
“You barely know the man.”
“I know him a lot better than you knew Father before marrying him. And the more I learn about Jake, the harder I love him.”Contrary to you and Father, who hate each other a little more with every day that passes in your stale marriage.
“Those feelings will fade with time. But family is forever, Genevieve.”
“Obviously not, since you’re giving me an ultimatum.”
“Don’t put it like that, dear. It’s a question of morals. You can’t expect us to welcome him into the family, so being with him will ultimately cut you off from us.”
“No,youwill make the conscious decision to cut me off if I stay with him. Jake has never tried to control my life or force me to do things I didn’t want to.”
Her irritation is growing more apparent with every word I utter, and the mere fact that she doesn’t blow up at me betrays her ploy.
“Is this why you’ve been so involved with me since it all happened?” I ask, feeling dumb for not realizing it sooner. “That’s your plan to solve this ‘problem?’ Blinding me with fake affection so you can manipulate me into ending things with Jake?”
“‘Manipulate’ is such a strong word. I’m only looking out for you, Genevieve.”
No, she’s not. She hasn’t been looking out for me in a decade, and she isn’t now. Why would she suddenly care about me like that?
It’s as though everything snaps into place. All the bullshit, all the brainwashing, all the gaslighting… It all becomes so obvious that I can’t keep denying it. I always knew my mother’s actions were wrong, but deep down, I convinced myself I deserved it. It didn’t matter if Hana disagreed or if my therapist called it toxic. Mother had every reason to treat me this way.
