Ebony's POV
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As the first light of dawn filtered through the curtains, I begrudgingly stirred from my sleep, the sound of my mom's voice echoing in my ears. Rolling my eyes, I pushed myself upright, already bracing for the inevitable confrontation that awaited me.
"Ebony?" My mom's voice called out, the irritation clear in her tone.
With a heavy sigh, I swung my legs over the side of the bed, suppressing the urge to groan aloud. Why was she always coming to my house unexpected?
"Mom," I muttered, my voice laced with frustration. "What do you want?"
The door swung open, revealing her silhouette in the doorway. Her arms were crossed over her chest, a disapproving frown etched onto her face.
"I could ask you the same question," she retorted, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "I thought you were stayin with ya girls all night."
Last night, I went out with my girls to the club, that's where I hit the jackpot with that white boy. I was planning on staying with them all night, and meeting them at another club but I was too tired, and full of emotion that drained me so I just went home.
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes, knowing that it would only escalate the situation further. Instead, I forced myself to meet her gaze, my jaw clenched in defiance.
"I changed my mind," I snapped, my patience wearing thin. "Is that such a damn crime?"
She narrowed her eyes, her lips pressed into a thin line. "It is when you don't inform me about where you are. Your girls thought you were dead or something last night." she shot back, her voice cold and cutting. "I raised you better than this."
I scoffed, the bitterness rising in my throat like bile. "Oh, spare me the lecture," I spat, my temper flaring. "You don't get to play the role of the concerned parent when it suits you. This is my house, I pay the bills, I'm a grown woman—I'll do what ever I please, okay?"
Her expression softened, replaced by a look of genuine hurt. "I'm just worried about you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "You've been acting so distant lately, and I don't know what to do to help."
Lately?...I've always been distant with her if we weren't on good terms.
"I don't need your help," I snapped, my voice trembling with anger. "I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself."
With a heavy sigh, she stepped back, her shoulders slumping in defeat. "Fine," she said, her voice barely audible. "Do what you want. Just know that I'll always be here for you, no matter what."
But before she could turn away, her eyes fell on the fat wad of cash in my purse, her expression darkening with suspicion.
"What's that?" she demanded, her voice sharp with accusation. "Where did you get all that money?"
I felt a surge of anger rise within me, my defenses kicking into overdrive. "What does it matter to you?" I shot back, my voice dripping with contempt. "It's none of your damn business."
Her eyes narrowed, her lips curling into a sneer. "Don't tell me you slept with another man just so you could buy things," she spat, her words like a slap to the face.
