Page 231 of Toxic Kiss

My mother tries to step around me, and I block her path. I grab her by the arms and force her back into the hall.

“You need to leave,” I say bluntly.

“Cyrus, don’t you see she’s corrupted our relationship. I told Auguste that Haven working with you was a terrible idea.”

“Don’t even fucking bother. You’ve been driving a wedge between us for years. It started with dad and the affair. But time after time, you pull shit that has forced that divide. There has never been anyone else to blame but yourself. Do you understand that? Take ownership of your fucking actions. It’s something that I’ve learned the hard way, since I have such a poor example for a parent.”

“That’s not true. I was a good mother to you,” she says, pointing at me. “Everything I’ve done is for you. I got you a deal with a record company. You’ve had a successful career because of me. I made you the best you can be, and I tried to get you the help you so desperately need.”

“So, what you’re saying is that you had an affair with Haven’s father just to get me a record deal? And then everything shitty, dirty, and evil since then has been to keep me on top?”

The arrogant mask slips a little. She lifts her chin.

“I did what I had to. This is a dog-eat-dog industry, and you would’ve been chewed up and spit out if not for me protecting you and your interests.”

“That doesn’t answer the question, Mother. Did you or did you not start dating Auguste to ensure my record deal?”

A muscle beside my eye begins to twitch with the rage slowly consuming me.

Her hands go to her hips, but she remains quiet.

“What did you do? Stalk him and realize that he had a dying wife, which made him the perfect mark?”

“As I said, I did what I had to do, and I will never feel guilty for it.”

“You bitch,” Haven snarls.

“You shut up,” Anita says, pointing at Haven.

I block her view and have to restrain myself from throttling my mother.

Suddenly, her face changes, and a wistful smile plays along her lips.

“Look at you, son. You have an incredible career. Money, fame, you’re the envy of millions. You’re living the dream that everyone wants.”

“Do you even hear yourself? You sound genuinely insane, and that’s insulting to the mentally ill.”

“No. I sound like a mother who will do anything for her child. I was willing to do anything for you to live out your dreams.”

“You mean live out your dreams. I may have wanted this life, but I never wanted it by you scamming the system to get it for me. That only makes me a fraud.”

“Oh, for god’s sake, stop being a martyr, Cyrus. You have average talent. I pushed you. I got you seen. I promoted you when no one else would’ve given you a chance. And now here you stand, looking at me like I’m a parasite.”

Her words hurt because I’ve wondered so many times over the years if I deserve any of this. And because she is the one person who is supposed to love me unconditionally. But this isn’t love.

“You said it, not me.”

Anita’s eyes narrow, and her face turns a violent shade of red.

“This is exactly what I mean. You didn’t care what I did as long as you got what you wanted. Haven has somehow turned you into this spineless…” She waves her hand up and down toward me. “Thing. You’ve always been weak-willed where she is concerned. And let me tell you something else…” Her voice lowers, threateningly. “It’s a long way down from that shiny pedestal you sit on.”

I snort and shake my head.

“I’m done arguing with you. You made your choices, and they have always benefited you.”

“That’s not true.”

“Yes, it is. You cheated on Dad. You happily went along with every terrible thing I did to Haven, as if you enjoyed hurting her as much as I did. At least I had a reason, you didn’t. You tried to get me to leave the band, my friends, for a solo career. I changed my fucking last name to include all of them, and you went behind my back and started shit between us so that we would split. Venomous is nothing without Vex, Ash, Ledger, and Eren. We are a family. They are my family, not you.”