BE MY OBSESSION

CHAPTER 40

•SHELBY•

I had the next day off, so I was pretty much free the whole time. William's mention of things I had supposedly left behind at his place kept playing on my mind. I couldn't recall leaving anything behind when I packed, so what could it be?

Knowing he might use this as an opportunity to bring up the topic I'd been carefully avoiding, I decided to take some action to prevent the situation from arising at all.

Bringing Michael along with me to William's house seemed like a good idea. He had offered to accompany me there yesterday while we were chatting at the coffee shop after encountering William and Sidney, so I agreed.

For Michael, it was about having someone I'm comfortable with there, to prevent any potential awkwardness with William since, you know, 'we've broken up.' But for me, he served as an escape plan if things did get awkward between William and me.

A text from Michael let me know he was already waiting outside. I grabbed my bag and left my room. As I descended the staircase, I spotted my mom emerging from the kitchen hallway.

Jesus, it's almost lunchtime and she's still in her nightgown.

My gaze shifted to the alcohol bottle in her hand, and I couldn't help but sigh in disappointment. Then again, what was I expecting? It's become quite normal for my mother to start day drinking.

She looked up from the bottom of the stairs, a lazy smile forming on her lips.

"Hey sweetie! Didn't know you were back home."

I brushed past her without acknowledging her and continued down the stairs, stopping in front of her. Her eyes appeared a bit unfocused, and her stance was unsteady, clear signs of her being already drunk.

"Isn't it a bit early for that?" I quirked an eyebrow, nodding towards the bottle.

She followed my gaze and chuckled.

"There's never a wrong time for some good ole Jack," she replied, her balance wavering.

"Mom, seriously? Have you even looked at yourself in the mirror today? You're a mess! And why are you still in your nightgown?"

Her expression dropped, and she shot me a glare.

"Don't tell me what to do! I'm your mother, and I'll damn well do whatever I please."

To drive the point home, she raised the bottle to her lips for a drink, and I swiftly grabbed her wrist to stop her.

"Cut it out! Let go!" She yelled at me, but I persisted, wrestling the bottle from her grasp.

"Release it! You've had enough."

"Why do you even care, you stupid girl? It's my life!" She shot back, her nails digging into the back of my hand.

I held onto the bottle tightly, and she pulled away, causing it to slip from our grasp and shatter across the foyer, the amber liquid spreading over the marble floor.

Footsteps approached the doorway, and we both looked up to find Michael standing there. He observed the shattered bottle with a puzzled expression before meeting my gaze.

Michael wasn't privy to the details of my family situation; it's something I've never shared with him. I'd never found a reason to. But now, seeing his baffled look, it struck me with a fresh wave of panic. He's an outsider who assumes my family is picture-perfect, and his expression only heightened my apprehension.

"What's happening? Are you okay?" He asked, genuine concern in his voice.

"It's alright, Michael. Don't worry about it; we're fine. It was just a little accident."

His doubt was apparent as he turned his gaze to my mother. She was in a rough state, on the verge of losing it.

"Just wait for me in the car; I'll be out in a minute, okay?" I quickly instructed him, locking eyes with him.

"Michael?"

"Uh, yeah, sure," he answered hesitantly before turning around and disappearing outside.

I redirected my attention to my mother, gripping her arm.

"Pull yourself together, Mom. You're spiraling, and it's not okay." I admonished, my tone firm.

She nodded slowly but then burst into laughter again.

"He's cute, your boyfriend?" I rolled my eyes and released her arm.

"I'm leaving."

"Wait, where are you going?" She called after me, but I paid her no mind.

Sliding into the front seat of Michael's car, he started the engine, and we headed to William's house. Silence hung in the air during the ride, and I sensed Michael itching to ask about what he had witnessed at my home.

"Don't. Ask," I warned him, and he stole a glance at me without uttering a word.

I appreciated his understanding; he didn't push the matter. By the time we arrived at William's place, the awkward tension had begun to dissipate.

Stepping out of the car after asking Michael to wait inside while I retrieved my belongings, I hoped that William was still at work. Since the household staff was on vacation leave, the house was deserted. I still had a spare house key to return once I was done here.

I fished the key out of my denim jacket pocket and was about to insert it into the lock when the door swung open from the inside. Standing before me was Sidney.

I froze, shock evident on my face. What the hell?

Though her presence in the house was surprising, it wasn't what had thrown me off. It was her attire—a man's white dress shirt barely covering her thighs, disheveled hair, and a makeup-free face.

Anybody could tell where she'd spent the night. And with whom.

As if to confirm my suspicions, William appeared behind her. Shirtless and donning only a pair of grey sweatpants, his hair was a mess, and traces of sleep clung to his face.

My arms went limp by my sides, and the key slipped from my grasp, clattering onto the tiled floor by my feet.

The scene before me was crystal clear. No questions needed. The smug grin on Sidney's face said it all.