The Truth Is.

Chapter 12

SADIE

       Mother sat on the other end of the table. Her spine set in a straight line, and a spoon carefully pouring into her mouth. The way she ate her soup was quiet, not a single sip. The only sound was an accidental clatter of silverware.

I took my own spoon, and slipped it into my mouth without a sip. Her pin-straight nose was held high, and her eyes focused on nothing in particular.

Mother was always a wonder to me. Victor, Melanie, and even Father seemed to enjoy this lifestyle. Victor drowned himself in business, Melanie in her wealth, and Father in power. But Mother, she only ever existed. To her, this lifestyle was a chore.

"The Fellings have offered to host a dinner party in honor of your Father."

Your Father, not my husband. If Mother never enjoyed this life, why was she here?

"How kind," I mumbled, scooping up more soup.

"You're talking to me, not your soup Sadie."

I met her stern eyes, and dropped my soup. "It's very kind of them to do so."

She simply nodded, and swallowed more soup.

The length of the table between us tore at my heart. Mother sat at least 12 feet away from me. Her chair was next to Father, on his left. And there was a dozen or so rows of chairs between us.

Maids stood by the walls, dressed in plain garbs with a permanent smile on their faces. It was hard to eat with a pair of eyes staring you down.

How could Mother live like this.

"When is the dinner party?"

She glanced up to me. "Swallow before you speak."

I swallowed my soup, dabbed my lips, and set the spoon down. "When are they hosting the dinner party?"

"Sometime within the next few weeks." She picked her spoon back up and set it over her bowl, signalling she was finished.

I tried to mimic her, but she stopped me. Her steel eyes slipped for a moment, and I saw gentleness.

"Eat more, Little Lily." Mother stood from her chair, nodded at the head maid, and left the dining room.

I sat alone, among expensive china imported from England. Among silk chairs with cushion so soft they felt as though they were made from clouds. A grand chandelier lit the table, displaying every delicious treat that would end up going to waste.

Everything was lavish and beautiful, too lavish and beautiful.

The Maids around me stood silent, honing in on my figure. Each looked ready to jump at my every command. The power was terrifying. I had nothing to do with any of this, I was simply born to the right people.

I gulped. Or maybe the wrong people.

The look Alex had given Paige had yet to leave my mind. Alex wasn't a sleazebag, he didn't do those types of things. Sure he cheated, but what teenage boy didn't?

He wouldn't, Alex wasn't like that.

I took a few more spoonfuls of soup so that the Maids wouldn't tell on me to my Mother. I placed my spoon over the bowl, and stood. Immediately a pair of young Maids rushed to collect my dishes, willing to not be outdone by the other.

"Careful! Wait until the Miss leaves the room." The older maid scolded.

They stared at their hands in horror, apologized, and rushed back to their spots by the wall. I wanted to tell the it was okay, and that I truly didn't mind, but Mother would hear about it.

Instead I smiled, nodded, and left the room.

The mansion was empty. The beautiful red furniture, and high ceilings were going to waste. There was no one to look at these things except for those who couldn't appreciate it. I couldn't appreciate it.

A few spare maids and butlers dusted Mother extensive china collection. Some fluffed couch cushions, while others cleared off tables.

I retreated to the first floor, all the way down the hall and in the right. Our indoor pool sat pristine in the middle of nothing. The water was like a layer of crystals, waiting to swallow me. I slipped off the sundress. My black one-piece managed to keep me hidden.

I slipped in, and the chill wracked through my skin. I dipped my head underwater and held my breath.

The sound of water pounded against my ears.

With the ringing in my ears, I started my first lap.

Everything in life was hard, except swimming. I didn't have to think, smile, or even cry. It was just me, and the lonely depth on the dark pool.

My body pulled through another lap.

I couldn't feel him hear. His hands were deaf on the nerves of my body. I only felt pressure coming, and going.

Another lap passed.

The ache soothed my heart, until i felt numb. The cold consumed my body, and I rested on the edge of the pool. I breathed in, and out. My breath was warm—too warm—So i dove back into the pool.