𝗔 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗟𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗛𝗶𝗺 ⟡ Espresso CRK [Book 2]

Chapter 41

Espresso's Pov

That sickening, lurching feeling bubbled inside me. Bile burned the back of my throat, the glare of Doppia's eyes pinning me down. Every inch of me wanted to rip that expression off her face, but I forced my temptations down.

Regaining my posture and trying not to let my emotions spill, I pivoted around.

"Doppia," I said coldly, "What are you doing here?"

"What do you mean? Why shouldn't I be here?" Doppia said innocently, returning my icy stare with a mocking smile.

My eyes narrowed, waiting for her to speak, the silence stretching. She sighed, crossing her arms.

She must've made a deal with Strawberry Vanilla Madeleine and Cream Madeleine. I thought as she opened her mouth, only to start ranting. Why? To irritate me? Distract me?

"Do you want to know why I made that deal with Dark Enchantress? You were always such a dramatic child. Now look at you. All grown up and still just as dramatic!"

Well, if that's their goal, they certainly succeeded. I scowled as Doppia continued listing reasons why she hated me. How infuriating.

"Not to mention, you were a fucking mistake! I wish you were never born!"

She cried, her fist clenching her champagne glass tightly, "If it weren't for you, Snow milk wouldn't have left me! All because of your no-good father!"

Wait. I jerked to attention. The words slapped me in the face instead of going through one ear and out the other.

Me and Latte have... different fathers?

"What?" I echoed.

"Ah...right. You didn't know that," Doppia said indifferently, "Well, I met your dad at a few parties. He was quite the charmer. That rich asshole and I hooked up a few times a week, had a few affairs.."

"Then bam! I got pregnant with you!" Doppia sighed dramatically.

"The issue was, when you were born, it was quite noticeable who the father really was. Snow Milk kicked me out, and I had to fight for Latte's custody."

"Your father was rich and a great man for a short relationship... but..." She trailed off midsentence, her voice trembling.

"But what? What did he do?" I asked, leaning closer, intrigued.

She drew back a breath, her hands shaking. The glass she held dropped, shattering onto the floor with a clatter. A maid started sweeping up the shards right away. What seemed like fear and anger flashed through Doppia's eyes for a millisecond, making me believe there was more to her than I thought, but her scowl was drawn.

She snarled, "Oh, wouldn't you like to know what your father did."

"Fine, I'm not wasting my time on you anymore," I spat, turning to leave when-

"Nobody leaves!" Financier yelled, and everyone's attention looked at her.

A storm of paladins marched into the ballroom, led by Clotted Cream and Financier side by side, forcing cookies to make way. The cookies near Custard shrunk away as Clotted Cream strode to his father.

I locked eyes with Latte, motioning to the army, confused about what was happening. She gave a tiny shake of her head, walking backwards slowly until a safe distance from him.

From the corner of my eye, I could see Madeleine and his parents just as confused and shocked as I was.

"What is the meaning of this?" Custard demanded, the tension in the air palpable.