𝐀 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫'𝐬 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝

Chapter Forty-One

My parents' mansion appeared at the end of the road and I swallowed hard. Aiyden and I sat in the back of a cab, ignoring the driver that was telling us all about his kids and how smart they were. Apart from the fact that it was making me feel like trash about my grades, I was too nervous to have a conversation right now.

Would my father kick us out the moment he saw us? Would my mom change her mind? My thoughts raced through my mind and made me nauseous, the driving style of our driver not helping at all.

"Hey, it's going to be okay. They're your parents. They love you."

I looked at Aiyden. "I just hopewish they'll love you too."

He grabbed my hand and smiled, his expression falling when the cab stopped on the driveway of my childhood home. I saw it in his eyes. He was terrified too. He had endured so much over the years-experienced so much loss-could he be scared to lose me too? Or...would this be a dealbreaker for him?

"Maybe this wasn't such a good idea," I offered, watching the house.

"I-"

"Are you gonna get out or what?" The driver rudely interrupted our little heart-to-heart, and I nodded quickly. Definitely didn't want to be on his shit-list too today.

Aiyden and I grabbed our bags and paid a very annoyed driver, before slowly making our way up to the house. Just the sound of the gravel under our feet was filling the space between us, and just when we reached the door, I couldn't take it anymore.

"Please just don't mind my dad." I took a step in his direction, simply because I needed to be closer to him for a second.

"I want him to like me, little devil. I can hardly ignore the man." He pecked me on the lips before turning to the door. Maybe he was more ready for this than I was. That became clear when he firmly pressed his finger to the doorbell.

I flinched.

He wrapped an arm around me. "It's going to be okay."

My breath hitched in my throat when one of the double doors opened and Bryce, my parents' butler-if you will-appeared before us.

"Ms. Alcarez. How lovely to see you," he greeted me, his eyes traveling over Aiyden before swiftly shifting back to me, smiling, though it looked painful. If he judged me, he would never show it.

"Is she here? Ciertamente se tomó su tiempo, ¿no?" My mother's voice echoed through the spacious entrance hall, and I rolled my eyes at her words. I loved her, but she could be a real-

"Mija!" She appeared next to Bryce and nearly stumbled over the threshold when she noticed Aiyden. She remained quiet for a minute, and I was close to wondering if she was in shock when she spoke again. "And who is this?"

I shifted on my feet, Aiyden's arm on my shoulders suddenly feeling incredibly heavy. I wasn't about to shrug him off, but I was aware of how my mother's eyes shot to his fingers that were drawing circles on my arm.

Her look turned a little icy, and I swallowed hard.

"This is-"

"I'm Aiyden Davis, ma'am," Aiyden interrupted me, and instead of being annoyed about it, I was relieved.

She managed a smile, extending her hand. She had been so calm and maybe even a little supportive when I had told her about us, but maybe since she's had some time to think about it, she actually changed her mind. Oh, God.

"Mama, please..." I pleaded softly, moving closer to Aiyden's side. He shook her hand and for a second, she seem to relax a little. Until my father came walking into the foyer.