Page 170 of Dream Chaser

“Look,” I said. “And don’t try to say I’m lying ever again.”

She picked it up. Shock flashed through her eyes. “What is this?”

“One of the reasons your dear Preston finally gave me a divorce. The other reason is that his corrupt ass was terrified to end up in jail for taking donations from developers in exchange for illegal rezoning and construction permits once he was in office. And he still lost. Most people in this town are smart, after all.”

She set my phone aside. “Donna said those were baseless claims.”

“That’s the problem with you.” Tears garbled my voice. “You believe her, not me. You care about others, but never me. You weren’t there for me when I was in the ER. You didn’t care that I was sleeping in my car because Preston left our account empty. You closed the door in my face because all you’ve ever cared about is you. Your reputation. Your well-being. Your life. I don’t know what you poured into me, but it wasn’t love.”

I wiped the wetness off my cheeks. “A good mother’s love is unconditional. Love is acceptance. Love is understanding. Love is wanting the best for your child, even if what’s best for them doesn’t fit your idea of happiness. Love isn’t trying to force them to tolerate abuse and stay in an unhappy marriage to secure your own future.” I took a shaky breath. “I don’t owe you shit, Mom. But I owe it to myself to build the life I want. I owe it to myself to love myself enough not to let you guilt me into doing things that hurt me.”

I slid off the armchair, crossed to the couch, and grabbed my phone.

I needed air. I needed Ale.

I needed to get out of this house.

One last glance at the pictures on the wall only fueled my urge to leave—my wedding photo was still there, and so was Preston’s picture next to the town hall on what I assumed was Election Day, but of course, she wouldn’t frame her daughter’s interview.

“You’re overreacting as usual, Nova,” she said. “Of course, I want the best for you. All mothers do.”

“You saw the picture on my phone.” I swallowed fresh tears, halting in the doorway. “That’s the best you wanted for me. And I’m not overreacting. I’ve been under-reacting for most of my adult life, but not anymore. Get a job, Mom, because I’m not giving you money when you run out of Dad’s.”

I darted to the foyer and threw the front door open. Ale was there, jaw tense, worry lines creasing his forehead. He gathered me into his arms, warm, solid, loving.

“Shh,” he whispered. “It’s okay. I’m here.”

“Take me home,” I said, bursting into tears.

My mother stepped onto the porch. Ale tucked me behind him, keeping an arm around my waist.

“I tried to give you a chance, Melissa,” he said, his body so stiff I felt it through his clothes. “But if you make the woman I love cry like this again, I won’t care that you’re her mother. You have a brilliant, beautiful daughter who deserves to be loved and appreciated. Instead, you make her miserable.”

My mother clutched her chain, color bursting on her cheeks.

“Let’s go, Ale,” I said. “Please.”

He sighed, then wrapped his arm around my shoulders and led me to his car.

***

I cried for most of the drive, and tears still streamed down my face as I lay in bed in my apartment. Ale stroked my hair, wiping tears from my cheeks with a tissue from time to time. I didn’t think I’d ever get used to the way he loved me. Maybe because I never got this kind of love from anyone.

“It fucking kills me to see you like this,” he whispered. “What can I do to make it better?”

“Just be here with me.” I laced my fingers through his.

He brought our joined hands to his lips, kissing my knuckles. “It’s going to be all right, but I know it hurts. She’s your mother.”

“I won’t make the same mistakes with my kids,” I whispered. “I’d never…” My voice broke once more.

Ale wiped a fresh tear with his thumb. “When you just started working at the agency and I learned about everything you went through, I couldn’t believe how resilient you were. How strong. How brave. When I called you out for lying and you came back to give me your pictures, that took fucking guts. And then there were lots of little things. How you went to the meeting with a huge sponsor and got us a deal. All your ideas, much better and fresher than my own. A business you’ve started setting up when you’re already so busy. There hasn’t been a day in which I stopped admiring you, Nova Lockhart. You inspire me. You make me want to do better so I can measure up. Don’t let anyone dull your shine, amor.”

Love flooded my chest. “Thank you, Ale. I admire you too, and not because you’re my boss.”

“This isn’t about me,” he said, voice soft. “Although I’m thankful and honored to be loved by you. You deserve to be treated with love, respect, and kindness. You shouldn’t accept anything less from anyone, much less your mother.”

“I won’t.” I shifted closer and lay my head on his chest. His heart beat steadily under my cheek as he ran his fingertips down my spine. Calm crested over me like it did every time I was with him.