Page 123 of Heavy

“What did you do?” Her question comes as a surprise to me.

Blinking rapidly and shake my head. “I’m sorry?”

Her eyebrows come together, the wrinkles in her forehead more prominent than ever. “Ronan…”

I swear I can’t breathe.

She takes the rest of her wine down in one gulp. “What the fuck were you thinking?”

Eamon told her, maybe in an attempt to show he was on her side? Oh fuck, what if she blames me and Ronan for their issues? I should’ve just told her—damn it!

“Mom, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you before, but—”

“But fucking nothing!” She slams her glass onto the counter, and it shatters everywhere. I jerk back in my seat, just staring at her. “You’ve brought this on yourself. After everything you went through—”

“Because of you…” I reminder her.

Blood pools from her hand onto the white marble island.

“Have I taught you nothing?” My eyes widen while my stomach slowly sinks inward, completely devouring itself in the process. “You can’t run away from your past no matter how hard you try.”

“It was self-defense! He is an amazing person, Mom! You are such a fucking hypocrite!” I swear it takes everything in me not to throw my drink at her. Why am I even staying for this? I swore she wanted to talk about her and Eamon’s relationship.Girl talkdoes not involve degrading my choice in men.

She’s just a jealous bitch that I got the better brother.

“I could care less what he did, Cal.” Her tone is pained, like it’s me hurtingher. “It’s whatyoudidn’tdo.”

“I was going to tell you about us…”

Her breathing is becoming heavier, and I just can’t believe this is all over a man. Did she forget her drug addiction got me gang raped? I’ve always disregarded the ugly that my mother was, but it’s coming out in full swing right in front of my face.

As a tear rolls down her cheek, she shakes her head. “No, Calista. They told you to take care of him, but instead, you went and fell in fucking love.” Her gaze then travels over my shoulder. “Please don’t hurt her.”

My vision blurs, and before I can even get to my feet, a rough hand slaps over my mouth. I kick my feet out, slamming my back into the chair and sending whoever has me flying to the ground. Unfortunately, I go down with them.

A strong arm wraps around my waist, the hand staying clamped over my mouth. I scream into the palm and kick downward, my foot connecting with their shin, making them howl in pain.

“Stupid cunt!” he grits through his teeth.

“Cal, stop fighting please!” My ownfuckingmother comes and pins my legs down to the ground. “Please stop, he isn’t going to hurt you!”

I don’t stop, I can’t. Throwing my head back I feel it make contact with something hard, and I hear another scream of pain.

“You just need to finish what they fucking told you, sweetheart, please. His life isn’t worth yours!”

The man’s grip around me tightens, and then suddenly our positions shift. My face is pushed hard against the floor, and my arms are pinned between his knees at my hips.

“Bring in the other bitch, maybe that will calm her down.”

“Ronan!!” I scream out, but it’s strained with the weight of him pressing me down. “H-Help me!”

As if he could hear me all the way from the cabin.

“No! No! Please don’t do this. I love him—I’ll do anything!”

A hand grips tightly at my hair, tearing my head back. That’s when I see something straight out of my nightmare.

I just need my heart to stop. Get me out of this the easy way. Let me die, because I know now that I’m trapped, and I’ll never be free until I do what they’ve been threatening me with from the start.