BUT DADDY I LOVE HIM, ᵉᵛᵃⁿ ᵇᵘᶜᵏˡᵉʸ

049

After sleeping on it, Rylin decided it was best for her to go back to LA.

However, she couldn't not spend Christmas morning with her dad. Especially if it could possibly be the last one she'd spend with him.

Christmas morning at the Grace house had always been simple. Cozy. A mix of old traditions, like opening presents in pajamas and eating cinnamon rolls right out of the oven.

This year, though, it was different.

Rylin stood at the top of the stairs, clutching the railing, listening to the familiar crackle of a fire in the living room, the faint sound of Christmas music playing from the old radio on the counter. The scents of coffee and cinnamon filled the air, wrapping around her like a hug.

For a moment, she let herself believe it would be a normal Christmas.

Then she heard her voice.

"I can't believe you still drink that god-awful coffee."

Rylin's stomach dropped.

She stepped down into the kitchen, and there she was—her mother.

Marie Grace stood by the counter, stirring her own cup of coffee like she owned the place—which was her normal behavior, of course. She looked almost exactly the same as she had the last time Rylin saw her—immaculate, cold, and as out of place in this house as she had always been.

Rylin's dad stood by the stove, arms crossed, a muscle ticking in his jaw. He looked about as thrilled as Rylin felt.

"Dad told me you were on a business trip this Christmas." Rylin blurted out. "Why are you home?"

Marie turned at the sound of her voice, raising a perfectly shaped eyebrow. "Merry Christmas to you too."

Rylin ignored the fake sweetness in her tone and turned to her dad. "Dad?"

Her father let out a slow sigh, rubbing a hand over his face. "She showed up last night. Said she wanted to surprise me by coming home early for Christmas."

Rylin scoffed. "And you let her?"

Her dad put his hands up in defense. "In my defense, I never told her you were coming home for a few days."

"You didn't think it was a good idea to let her know?" Rylin asked. "This all could've been avoided."

Marie sighed, setting down her mug. "Honestly, Rylin, must you always be so dramatic?"

Rylin clenched her jaw, her hands curling into fists. "I'm sorry, I'm the dramatic one?"

"Well, you do make such a big deal of my appearance." Marie said coolly. "You know, it feels like you've hated me since you were little."

Rylin's blood boiled. "Well you're not entirely wrong."

Marie rolled her eyes. "You're almost an adult, Rylin. Why are you still acting like such a child."

"Maybe because you treat me like crap?" Rylin snapped. "You don't care about me. About my wellbeing. I'm just the daughter you never wanted."

Her mother sighed, picking up her coffee again. She didn't utter a word.

"You know what I think?" Rylin began. "I think you were so disappointed when Lilah died. Not just because of the obvious fact that she wasn't coming back, but because of the fact that you lost the daughter of your dreams."

"I love you both equally. Rylin, let's just stop this nonsen—"

"No, Marie." Rylin cut her mother off. "Ever since I was a kid, you have pushed my dreams aside—pushed me aside. But, Lilah? You catered to everything she asked of you. Hell, you even paid for her $80,000 tuition for the college she didn't even get to go to."