COMPLICATED.

CHAPTER 42

DARK WORLD

⚠️ *Reader Advisory*
This chapter contains strong language, references to drugs, alcohol consumption, and other mature themes. Reader discretion is advised.

«Alright, Mom, calm down already,» I mutter, watching in exasperation over Facetime as Theresa Harper does her usual pacing back and forth across the room - that thing she does whenever she's overly worried, nervous, or annoyed. Still, I can't help but be a little amused watching my father trying to stop her with his arm, failing miserably every single time. Keeping up with my mother has always been impossible - in every sense - which is why Henry Hamilton gives up after the very first attempt. I can only imagine what it must be like for her coworkers and employees - actually, I don't need to imagine it. I've seen it with my own eyes.

«Why didn't anyone tell me? Not even Eric?!» she exclaims, turning toward my father on the screen, probably scrolling through her phone for either Eric's or Elisa's number.

«Darling, they're all probably busy dealing with this situation. Give them some time - Nick's still in the meeting, apparently. We'll know more tomorrow. We'll call them then,» my father replies, rubbing his temples for a long moment, clearly exhausted. He must have pulled another all-nighter writing, as always.

«Emma, what do you know about all this? You didn't warn me - as usual,» she snaps, leaning closer and closer to the laptop camera.

Mom's interrogating me in that irritating tone, the same one she used when I was a kid - the classic scolding voice after I'd done something wrong. And as if that weren't enough, it doesn't go unnoticed by Aria, who's busy picking out eccentric clothes for me from her closet, or by Adam, who's flipping through fashion magazines on my bed, pretending to read. They both glance at me - half amused, half embarrassed.

Theresa's voice echoes through the whole room. I always have to deal with these scenes whenever there's any sort of problem, as if I were the main character in every drama. I'm honestly sick of it.

«What was I supposed to warn you about? I don't know anything either! You know how Nick is - as soon as things started getting serious, he told me to leave so he could discuss it better with his team,» I lie while picking out a few terrifyingly dark shades of makeup from Aria's kit, doing anything I can to escape my mother's inquisitive glare. I can't tell her everything - especially after Nick made me promise certain information would remain confidential.

«I can't believe you didn't manage to find out more! I have to do everything myself. We're talking about Nick's safety!» she shouts, running her hands through her hair in frustration.

«Don't even try that with me! You know I'd do anything for Nick, but it's not my fault if I couldn't learn more - it was his choice. If you want information, ask your employees to investigate. I'm not your servant!» I snap back at her, matching her tone and pointing my finger so sharply that I almost knock over the laptop.

That's not like me - what's happening to me?

Aria and Adam stare at me like I've just gone crazy, but they don't know what it's like dealing with my mom sometimes. In moments like this, she's nothing but a thorn in my side.

Our relationship has always been complicated. We've always been more than just mother and daughter - sometimes it's like we're Siamese twins. But when problems arise - whether in the family or at work - I somehow become her worst enemy, and she starts blaming me for everything wrong in the world.

Sometimes I think this confused relationship stems from her disappointment and anger over giving up her inheritance of the famous Harper publishing house. Other times, I think it's simply her fiery, authoritative nature - the opposite of my father's affectionate, calm, and protective personality. He's always the one trying to make peace or find common ground between us - and most of the time, he succeeds.