Page 57 of Possessed By You

“I’m just not in the mood for chit-chat today. I’m sorry.”

“I understand. I wanted to see how you were.”

“I’m fine.”

“The baby is well too? My mother told me a couple weeks ago you were pregnant. I couldn’t believe it.”

The blows keep coming. I stare at him.

His face actually twists with something resembling regret. “Damn.”

“Why are you here?”

“My mother came to see Benjamin.”

I’m immediately worried. God, she can’t rile him up. He needs rest; he needs to remain calm. I shake my head, furious. “Why is she here?”

“Because she’s his mother.”

“No. No, a mother doesn’t treat her son like an abomination for years. A mom doesn’t do that.”

“Look, I honestly could give two fucks what goes on between them. I’m just standing in the backlines.”

“And that makes you just as bad as her.”

His features contort angrily, and I actually feel my pulse quicken, surprised his naturally beautiful face can turn so ugly. “That fucker attacked me because of you. Did you know that?”

“Yes. I do,” I snap. “Why would you even act like you care about me? You don’t! You’re just trying to drive away the only decent family you actually have!”

“Decent?Decent? You know what your fucking husband used to be like? He was just like me. He didn’t want attachments; he wanted to fuck. You were the first woman I actually pursued, and he felt the need to take that from me too! It’s always been a goddamn competition with him, and I’m tired of coming out second!”

“I was his thesecondhe laid eyes on me, Alex.” I move closer so he can hear me better. “You didn’t have a chance. We started seeing each other almost immediately after I started working there.”

“You felt something between us. I know you did.”

“I don’t know you!” I scoff, gesturing wildly with my arms. “I don’t understand why you’re doing this. I married him. There’s no chance anymore.”

“There’s always a chance you’ll see the light and realize.”

“I’m not some fucking prize to be won. All you’ll be able to offer someone is lifeless orgasms and momentary excitement until you grow the hell up. Benjamin and I are in love. There is a history there that is irreversible.”

“You don’t know what I can offer. You don’t know a thing about me.”

“Exactly!” I stand up, walking to dump out the food. I’m not hungry anymore.

“I don’t deserve your hate,” he growls, his fists clasped together tightly on top of the table.

“I don’t hate you, Alex. I’m disappointed. If you’d just get over this fucking competition and keep the job Benjamin has provided you, you’d see you actually have an amazing brother who has been burdened with the same parents as you, who has a lot more in common than you have ever realized.”

“He hasneverbeen my brother.”

I bite back insults and try to think rationally. “I’m really sorry they were so cold to you after Daniel died. Benjamin told me. Your family is sofucked up. The loss of Daniel is still hanging over every single one of you. I wish you all could see that and try, justtryto regain some of what’s been lost. You do have a brother, Alex, if you want one.”

I stand up and leave him there, glad he doesn’t follow me. My blood is pumping from the altercation in the cafeteria. I hurry back to Benjamin’s room, afraid of what I’ll find. I slow, seeing the door halfway opened, already able to hear low whispering.

“You should go. I don’t want you upsetting Darcy.”

“I’m your mother. I have a right to be here.”