The Ascendant Shadow

Chapter 8: A Mother's Gaze, A Daughter's Secrets

Valentina's POV:

"You look amazing, Vale," Vero said, her voice filled with awe.

"Your father's going to want you to change," Mom said with a knowing smile.

"I can handle it," I replied, and Mom chuckled.

Mom continued with Vero's makeup while I curled my hair, which took a while due to its length. Once finished, I applied light makeup and a bold dark red lipstick.

"You look hot," Vero whispered in my ear, then hurried to Mom's closet to pick out her heels.

Mom approached me and scrutinized my appearance with a mix of approval and something else I couldn't quite place. "You look absolutely stunning. Out of all my children, you're the most difficult, Valentina."

I frowned slightly at her words, feeling the weight of our strained relationship. "Difficult" was a euphemism for the constant tension and misunderstandings that defined our interactions. Mom's approval always seemed laced with a thinly veiled criticism.

"It's not a bad thing," she continued, her smile not quite reaching her eyes. "It's just that I can't read you the way I can with the others. I have a strong feeling you know more about the people coming tonight."

"Mom, no—" I began, but she cut me off with a stern look.

"Valentina, don't try to deceive me. I may not be privy to your father's business, but I know you're more perceptive than anyone else in this family. I'm asking you, for once, not to get yourself or your father into trouble tonight."

The words stung, and I couldn't help but feel a pang of frustration. "It sounds like you think I'm involved in Dad's business," I said with a forced chuckle, trying to deflect the uncomfortable truth. "I'm not—"

"Valentina, don't play games with me," she said, her voice growing sharper. "I might not know the specifics of your father's dealings, but I suspect you do. Just... don't do anything tonight that your father wouldn't approve of."

Her words felt like a veiled accusation, a reminder of the distance between us. I was used to this kind of interaction—her concern cloaked in judgment. Before I could respond, Mom's smile returned, though it seemed even more forced as Vero walked into the room.

I forced a smile as Vero, now a few inches taller in her heels, joined us. I glanced at Mom and then back at Vero. There are many things Dad wouldn't do that I would without hesitation.

"Guests are arriving," the maid called from downstairs.

"Okay, you'll come down when I say so. Stay with your brothers," Mom instructed before heading downstairs.

I heard the click of heels and deep, rough voices coming from below. "Vero, stay here. I need to grab some heels from my room," I said, heading back to my room and closing the door.

I quickly donned a thigh holster and slipped a gun from its hiding place inside the vent, placing it carefully in the holster. I selected a 6-inch pump from the closet and returned to Vero, who was with Lucas and Owen.

"There's a lot of people downstairs," Owen commented.

"And they're all rich," Lucas added, making me almost laugh.

About fifteen minutes later, Mom called from the door. "Come on."

"Go ahead," I told Vero and the boys, and they nodded, heading downstairs.

"Vale, come—"

"I'm coming, Mom. These heels are too tight. I need to find something else in your closet."

Mom nodded, allowing me to go to the closet. Once inside, I pulled out my gun and checked the chamber: twelve bullets. I removed the safety pin and re-holstered the weapon. After fixing my hair, I emerged to find Mom waiting.

"Let's go," she said, taking my hand and leading me downstairs, where the night—and everything that followed—would begin to unravel.