Theo had no reaction whatsoever. No choked laugh, no eyeroll. Just silence. Like he hadn’t even heard me. It was oddly deflating, and yes, I did have the sudden realization that I’d beenhopingfor a response. That I wasn’t just being mean to him for my own satisfaction, or because he deserved it (which he did), but for some other (probably tragically sad) reason I should probably speak to my therapist about.
Another thing to ask her? If I had Stockholm syndrome. I couldn’t think of any other reason why the thought of not seeing Theo anymore made my stomach drop.
On second thought, screw my therapist. This was above her pay grade. What I really needed was Runa. She’d be able to unpack this with me. Maybe I could stop by her place tomorrow, use my problems as an excuse to see how she was doing now that she was out of the hospital. I could call first, see if she needed me to pick up groceries or anything on the way over because despite how ADA-compliant her apartment was, there were still areas that were a pain in the—
“Stella?” a tentative, feminine voice said.
I wrenched around, horrified that Maddie had managed to sneak up on us.
She stood a few feet away, her blond hair perfectly coiffed, makeup equally flawless. In her white ball gown, she looked like the picture of innocence, which was probably her intention.
“Maddie,” Theo drawled.
“No.” I put my hand on his arm to forestall whatever he was about to say. Because I had things I needed to get off my chest first. “What do you want, Maddie?”
“To talk. Please.” Her eyes glistened, and I wondered how anyone could possibly fall for her crocodile tears.
“Fine, we can talk,” I said, forcing my tone to remain calm, refusing to give her whatever she was after.
She’d always been a drama queen, loved causing scenes, loved the eyes of a crowd on her. Maddie thrived off the attention, especially if she found some way to make herself look like the victim, and I’d always wondered why.Did she crave the attention of others because her parents had been so absent throughout her childhood? Was it narcissism? A personality disorder? I’d tried asking my therapist, but she said she’d need to speak to Maddie in order to properly diagnose her.
Maddie’s bottom lip quivered. “I tried to talk to you at the last party, but you were somean.”
I didn’t answer, refused to show any outward reaction, and it was probably the hardest thing I’d ever done. This woman had framed me for a crime I didn’t commit, had almost gotten away with it, and yet here she was, for the second time, publicly acting likeshewas the victim.
“I think...” Her lower lip trembled, and she steeled herself like she was gathering courage. “I think you owe me an apology.”
Theo’s hand pressed against my lower back in a silent show of support, and it buoyed me, knowing he was ready to fuck up Maddie’s life if I faltered. For the first time since we’d met, his presence gave me courage. He’d practically dragged me in here when all I’d wanted to do was flee, but I was grateful for that now, because it made me realize two things: Maddie wasn’t invincible, and I needed closure with her, as ugly as it might get. And while it was nice to have this big, ruthless bastard by my side, I didn’t need him to fight my battles for me. I was going to do this myself.
“Why should I apologize?” I asked. “I wasn’t the one driving the car. I wasn’t the one who fled the scene sobbing on the phone to my parents. I stayed there and did the right thing, and you’ve been punishing me for it ever since.”
“Why do you keep lying?” she cried.
“Why doyou?” I waved toward the people around us, watching this scene unfold. It was a mixed group, some were company employees, others my parents’ friends and acquaintances. I spotted Mrs. Heidi Ashley and pointed to her. “When we were eight, you broke her Bronze Age amphora because she said you couldn’t have it.”
“That was an accident,” Maddie argued.
I pointed to Angela Renner next. “When we were twelve, you were desperate to get a pony for your birthday, but Angela got one first, and you were so mad that you knocked her cake over while we were all singing ‘Happy Birthday.’”
“That was another accident,” she cried.
“You tried to drag the pony away, screaming that it was supposed to be yours.”
“I didn’t.”
Angela harrumphed. “You absolutely did, and there are fifty other witnesses to confirm it.”
I shot her a grateful look before refocusing on Maddie. “One day, all your horrible behavior is going to catch up with you. People will start reflecting on all your ‘accidents’ and wonder if your innocent act is just that. They’ll start to see who you are. Who you’ve always been. A selfish, spoiled, entitled bitch.”
Her answering laugh was ugly, the real her peeking out. “Like you’re any better.”
“I am,” I said, fully believing the words. “Maybe I wasn’t always, but I’m trying to make up for my past, while you’re acting like a thirty-five-year-old child lashing out because Mommy and Daddy don’t love you enough.” I shook my head, doing my best to mimic Theo’s most obnoxious grin because I knew firsthand how infuriating it was to have it directed your way. “I actually pity you, Maddie. Your life must be so sad if you have to resort to rage-baiting for attention.”
Acracksplit the air, and suddenly I was looking at the wall.
My cheek was hot and painful. My ears rang.
She’d slapped me.
