Page 106 of Babies for the Christmas Grump

I feel a spike of irritation. “I don’t need your help.”

But she’s not listening. She’s already moving to the couch, sitting down as if she belongs here.

“Ryder, you’re not getting any younger. And I know you’ve been thinking about what’s next… but you’re playing small with this hotel, sweetheart. You have to think bigger. Think about the real opportunities. I can’t be the only one doing that for you.”

A chill runs through me at the words I know are coming.

“I’m not talking about the reality show or other fame-related things.”

She shoots me a look. I guess I’ve just ruined her surprise.

“Oh, you’re so predictable.” She leans back on the couch, crossing her legs. “But listen, Ryder, it’s not just a show. It’stheshow. People would love to see you… really see you. Not just the serious businessman, but the whole package. The real you. You’ve seen that. People have been going wild for you this Christmas.”

I feel my jaw clench as my heart starts pounding in my chest. “No. Absolutely not. I’m not doing a reality show, Mom. I’ve told you that. I don’t want it. I don’t want any of this. The attention came from a hotel guest who recognized me and posted me online. Anything else is just noise fromyou.”

She doesn’t take my refusal seriously. Instead, she laughs softly, almost patronizingly.

“Ryder, darling, you can’t keep hiding from the spotlight. People love a good story, and you? You’ve got everything. Money, success, charm. And this show will put you on the maplike you’ve always dreamed of. You don’t even know it yet, but it’s exactly what you need.”

I take a deep breath, the anger boiling over now.

“I don’t need fame, Mom. I don’t need any of it. What I need is to keep my life together, keep my work together.” I gesture to the papers on the table. “This is my life now. Not some camera crew following me around, making everything a circus. This is the life that I have built without you around. You can’t change things now you’re back.”

She stands up, suddenly serious. “You really don’t get it, do you? This could be the biggest opportunity of your life. You’d have everything you’ve ever wanted. Fame, fortune, recognition. All you have to do is play along, let the cameras in. Let me help you.”

My hands ball into fists. “I’m done with your help. I’ve done just fine without it. I don’t need you, or your cameras, or your manipulations. I never did and I never will.”

Her eyes flash with something darker now. Hurt, maybe, or resentment. But I don’t care. Not anymore.

“I don’t want to be part of your game anymore,” I say, stepping toward her. “You don’t control me. You never have. And I’m not letting you anymore.”

Her face twists in anger. “You think you can turn your back on me? On everything I’ve done for you. You’ll regret this, Ryder. You’ll see.”

Ifeelher words, but it doesn’t change anything. I stand my ground, watching her closely. “I won’t regret it. This is over. I’ve asked you to go before, but you didn’t listen. This time, I’m telling you. Go back home. Focus on yourself. Leave me to it.”

There’s a long, tense silence where she stares at me, as if waiting for me to back down. But I don’t.

Finally, she turns on her heel and walks toward the door, but not without one last glare. “This isn’t the end, Ryder. You’ll come around. You always do.”

I don’t answer, just watch her leave. The sound of the door clicking shut behind her feels final.

And I know, without a doubt, that I’ve made the right decision.

I just hope this time she listens to me.

I shake my head and sit back down, wanting to focus on the work once more, but I have to admit Mom has rattled me. My head is all over the place. I can’tstandit when she gets under my skin.

I don’t know how long I sit there before I’m disrupted once more.

Knock, knock.

I stare at the door in horror. Please tell me she isn’t back already. I will seriously lose my shit.

I brace myself, my muscles tense, ready to explode if she walks back through that door. No. Not again. Not now.

Knock. Knock.

I take a slow breath, and I almost think I can pretend I didn’t hear it. Maybe if I stay perfectly still, she’ll just disappear. But deep down, I know that’s not going to happen. It never does.