This Thing Called Love (ON HOLD INDEFINITELY)

chapter nineteen

NOW

After my mothers bombshell news, I knew she was hardly looking out for me. The sense of mischievous in her eyes, the proud feeling that radiated off of her, all made it seem like she was only looking out for herself, again. She wanted to continue to tear my family apart. Why couldn't she let own daughter be happy? I knew one thing, though. She was not going to be a part of my life any longer. I've survived a decade without her and I could continue doing so until the day I died.

"You have to leave," I at last said. I snatched the magazines off of the table and concealed them in the cabinet drawer. 

"What?" My mother asked in dismay, shocked by my reaction. "I came all the from California-"

"No one asked you to do that," I interrupted, gritting my teeth. At least now I knew where she was all these years.

"-to tell you the truth, Reign, and this is how you repay me? Kicking your own mother out for always keeping your best interest at heart?"

"Best interest at heart?" I spat back, bewildered by her choice of words. "Abandoning your daughter and kicking her off a cliff to jump into the real world is hardly the best interest at heart!"

"Oh please! You're the exact daughter I raised you to be. I couldn't be any more thrilled with the way you turned out."

I narrowed my eyes at her, wondering what her angle was. My mother was never into the mundane lifestyle. She craved to be a part of the Upper East Side life, bitterly disappointed in her life in Jamaica Avenue. She often took a taxi to the city, straight to Wall Street, hoping to the catch the eyes of some wealthy stockbroker. She always wanted to be apart of the elite. She always wanted more and that was her problem.

"Shacking up a wealthy boxer," she cooed, her eyes glistening in pride. "Living in a beautiful mansion in Long Island. Sheesh, it must cost more than your entire college tuition."

"Are you mental? Are you seriously implying I'm with Tobias for his money?" I seethed.

"Don't be shy baby. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree."

I looked away in disgust. I couldn't believe the words coming out of her mouth. The way she tried to make me seem just like her was revolting. The only thing I shared with that women was my DNA.

"I'm a little disappointed, though. You still haven't managed to tie the knot."

My body went rigid. The topic of marriage was a sensitive one that I did not want to discuss. My thoughts wandered back to the night where I asked Tobias why he wouldn't marry me.

Trust me Reign, my idea on marriage still hasn't changed. I don't want to marry you or anyone else, ever.

I quickly recomposed myself, not wanting my mother to see my weakness. If I gave in she would use that against me, making it harder for me to get rid of her. Before I could reply, Tobias and Liv walked in through the front door. I looked at my mother in panic. I didn't want Liv to meet her again. She was entirely too smart for her age and would constantly ask where "mama's mama" was.

"You need to leave," I repeated, my voice hard and firm.

"All this traveling has left me tired," my mother faked, throwing in a yawn for good measure. "I think I'll take Tobias's offer and stay the night."