Did he just leave? He didn’t listen to her, did he?
Oh my god, what if he did? What if she’s really gotten to him? These are the reasons why he kept up with the act that we weren’t mates for so long. I thought none of this bothered him anymore, but what if I’m wrong?
My mom steps out of the kitchen, and when she sees me, her lips curl into an evil smile.
“Addison,” she purrs.
“What did you say to him?” I demand.
“I only told him the truth.” She crosses her arms, a smug look on her face.
“Why are you doing this?” I hate how my voice shakes. “I’m your daughter! Shouldn’t you want me to be happy?”
“I’d have been happy if you just did what you were told and picked the Bancroft’s like you were supposed to. They were good looking, rich, and had connections. You would have been set for life.”
“Me? Don’t you mean you?” I shout. “My Alphas are good looking, my Alphas have money. Iamset for life. Not that any of that matters to me. Money and power aren’t everything.”
“That's where you're wrong, you stupid child,” she sneers. “Itiseverything. If you don’t have money or status, then you’re nothing in this world. And I will make sure you don’t forget it.”
“I pity you.” I shake my head. “Sure, you have money, and you built a name for yourself, but I hope you know that at the end of the day, no one will care if you die.” I laugh. “All you do is hurt the people around you. You’re cruel and toxic. I might resent Dad for moving away and leaving me here with you, but I understand why he did. He had to get away, far away. Because being around you is draining, sucking the soul right out of–”
A hard slap lands across my face. “I should have forced him to take you,” she sneers. “Better yet, I should have fucking aborted you when I had the chance. You are a disappointment. Afreak.” She waves her hand at me. “You're no daughter of mine. You never have been. I’m leaving on a trip tonight, and I want you gone by the time I get back.”
Turning on her heel, she leaves me standing there, hand on my burning cheek.
While her words might sting more than my face, what I’m more worried about is where Damein went.
Damien
I fucking despise that woman. I don’t know what the fuck my father sees in her. “Damien, what's going on?”
“I’m giving you a heads up. Tonight, after the game, I’m telling the world who Addie is to me before your evil bitch of a wife can,” I growl through the line.
“What happened?”
“What happened? Your wife found out about Addie and me. I knew she wouldn’t take the news lightly, but she threatened meandmy career. I thought I had to worry about the outside world, when really it was someone in my own house. Why the fuck are you married to that bitch?”
“It’s complicated."
“Complicated?” I laugh. “Do you have a fucking brain injury or something?”
“Damien,” he warns.
“Doesn’t matter. What matters is, at the press conference tonight, I’m telling the world about Addie. I will not have anyone, especially her, hold this over my head. I’m asking for your support, but even if I don’t get it, I’m still doing it.”
“Of course you have it. Damien, I meant what I said. I love you, and I want you to be happy. I’m sorry she’s doing this to you. You don’t deserve it.”
“I don’t give a fuck about me. It’s Addie I care about. All we wanted to do was be together, to make this pack life work. It’s already hard enough having to travel and be away so much. Now she’s going to be back in the spotlight, which is the one place she hates. All because of her deadbeat mother.”
“Do what you have to do. I’ll support you.”
“Thank you.” I sigh. “I gotta go. I’ll see you at warm-ups before the game tonight.”
“See you then.”
Hanging up on my dad, I dial another number.
“Is everything okay? How's Addie?” Reid asks.
