Maksim clears his throat, the sound soft but commanding. "Perhaps we sit," he suggests, like he's giving her mercy. Like he's givingmespace.
My mother nods frantically. "Yes. Please. I just—Blue, I need to talk to you. I needed to see you."
I put my hand on my hip. "I'm right here. Talk."
Her gaze flicks past me.
Red comes into view, slow and steady, like he's deliberately making himself calm for my sake. He stops at my shoulder, close enough that I can feel him without him touching me.
My mother's eyes land on the faint bruising on his cheek. Her mouth parts. She whispers, "Oh my God. Red, I—" She swallows hard, eyes tearing.
He doesn't respond, keeping his expression emotionless.
My mother looks back at me with desperation. Her voice shakes. "I'm so upset with Adrian. I told him he went too far. I told him?—"
"You told him and then what? He patted you on the head and told you it was for my own good?" I snap.
Her lips tremble. "Blue, please don't do this."
"Don't do what?" I step forward, forcing her to hold my gaze. "Don't say the part out loud? Don't say that you've been letting him control everything for years while you stood behind him pretending you couldn't stop it?"
She squeezes her eyes shut. A tear slips down her cheek.
I should feel something softer. I should feel sorry for her.
But right now, all I feel is the bruise in my chest where Red's name lives.
"I didn't know where you went after you called me."
"Good. Now you have a very tiny taste of what it's like when a loved one is missing. Doesn't feel very good, does it?" I lash out.
She opens her eyes, hurt flashing. "I'm your mother."
"And I'm your daughter," I say, quieter now, because my anger is sharp but my pain is deeper. "And this is who I love. This is who loves me. I get to choose, not you and not Dad."
Silence drops between us, curling the tension tighter.
Red's hand touches my lower back, reminding me I'm not alone.
My mother's voice comes out small. "Blue…you're pregnant?"
My lie is a grenade going off. My jaw clamps. Red goes still behind me.
Maksim clears his throat. "Please. Let's go sit down." He motions for Mom to go into the sitting room.
She stares at me with tears dripping.
"Blue, Maksim is right. This conversation is best inside, not in the foyer," Red nudges.
"Fine." I stomp over to the couch and sit.
Mom follows, lowering herself next to me.
I scoot to the other cushion.
She shoots me an expression like I slapped her.
"I think it's best if we give them some privacy," Red suggests.
