But whatistragic is the way she subconsciously cups her stomach.
I feel Reverie’s energy go ice cold, and I know her focus is exactly where mine is.
“You still haven’t answered why you’re even here,” Roxi snaps.
I’m slow to bring my eyes back up to hers, and when I do, Roxi’s hand quickly drops to her side.
“You’re pregnant?”
No sense in beating around the bush.
Her cheeks flush red. “No.” A beat passes. “I don’t know.”
My brows jump up my forehead again, and I silently mouth, “Wow.”
That’s… that’s going to be a fucking problem.
Truthfully, it makes me sick to my stomach. Lionel bringing more life into this world while carelessly stealing it away from others is…
My entire body heats, anger steadily filling my veins.
It's fucking disgusting.
Reverie's mouth flops, staring at Roxi as if she's seen a ghost.
“Did he come here?” she asks.
“No, I went and visited him soon after he got home.”
Why does she sound so fucking defensive?
“Jesus, you two wasted no fucking time, huh?” I say, flicking my gaze up and down her form with distaste. “He's been out of prison for how long, and you're already letting him knock you up?”
Roxi’s entire face resembles a cherry as she fumes at me. “That’s none of your business,Dreadful.”
She spits out my name like it’s rotten food. I stare at her blankly, confused if that was supposed to hurt my feelings.
“And anyway, it’s not like we were trying to. I wanted to get married first. I just… Well, I’m not on birth control and the condom bro?—”
“Oh my God, shut the fuck up, Roxi,” Reverie cuts in quickly, waving her hands in front of her face to stop her.
Disgust curls her upper lip, and she stares at Roxi like she’s spawned a new head. Technically, she might be spawning one as we speak.
Roxi’s teeth click shut, and her shoulders hike to her ears, defensiveness sinking into her tense muscles.
“We’re in love,” she says, her tone clipped. “And he’s a really great man. So, would it really be the worst thing in the world, Reverie? I mean, I know we don’t know each other very well, but if you would just let me in, we can be friends. You could watch your sibling grow up and help give them an amazing childhood wherehewon’t be around to strip it away like he did yours.” She casts a nasty look my way when she spits out ‘he’ and then softens when she returns her focus to Reverie, her gaze almost pleading. “You could have a little brother or sister. I'm sure it was lonely growing up as an only child, and your dad mentioned you always wanted a sibling and never got to have one. I can give you that now.”
Rev’s face pales, and her eyes glaze over, a faraway look in her eyes as she stares at Roxi. She’s solid stone, and I don’t think she sees us anymore, only ghosts from her childhood.
She no longer appears repulsed, but devastated. Triggered, even.
And I really don’t fucking like it.
My hackles rise, and I'm really getting fucking pissed now.
Steeling my jaw, I focus on Roxi, simultaneously wanting to slap her and slap sense into her.
I have to remind myself she’s being manipulated. Brainwashed. Butfuck, if it doesn’t also trigger me and bring me back to that eight-year-old kid no one believed. Down to the look on her face, staring at me as ifI’mthe monster.
