Page 84 of Ruthless Desires: Vol. One

Mom:We need to talk.

Mom:I just spoke with Adam’s mom. What’s going on?!

Mom:Young lady, answer me!

Mom:You’re messing everything up. Wren, you’re meant to be with Adam. You’re perfect for each other. What happened to the family you were going to start? You can’t make babies forever, you know. Clock’s ticking.

I cringe. There she goes again with her traditionalist bullshit. If that’s what a woman wants, then fine. After dating Adam for a while, I thought itwaswhat I wanted—he always told me he was going to be the provider for me and the family we were planning on having eventually.

Funny, considering hewasn’t.We both had to work our asses off to make rent.

I sigh. As if I needed another reminder that I either have to get a new roommate or find a cheaper apartment. Or a better job. My savings will only last for a few months.

Problem is, I don’t want to move. I love this neighborhood. It’s so full of life. We have a thriving arts and culture community here, and I love spending my weekends getting lost in the different types of music, food, and ways of life.

“Let’s just get this over with,” I grumble. After wishing Ava a quick goodbye, I start the walk home. Thankfully, the sidewalks are shoveled.

My mom answers her phone on the second ring. “Wren! Finally! Why have you been ignoring me?”

“I’ve been at work.”

Of course, she wouldn’t understand that. She hasn’t had a job—besides raising me—since before I was born.

“Well, whatever. Maybe if we talked more often, I would be able to remember your schedule.”

I roll my eyes. It’s been the same for almost two years—first shift, Monday through Friday. “What do you need?”

“What do I need? Are you kidding me? Your boyfriend was in thehospitalover the weekend, and Mary Anne says you didn’t even visit him.”

“He’s not my boyfriend.”

“Wh-excuseme?”

“He’s not my boyfriend, mom.”

“Last I checked he was!”

“Well, I broke up with him. A while ago.”I just didn’t tell you because I didn’t want to deal with you freaking out on me.

Of course, my mother doesn’t even ask why I ended our years-long relationship. Doesn’t even assume that maybe Adam was the problem. Instead, she launches into a rant I’ve heard a thousand times over the years whenever one of my “rebellious” cousins is brought up.

I barely listen, focusing more on avoiding people on the sidewalk and watching out for patches of ice. At least the sun is out, which helps to counteract the bitter cold biting at my skin.

“Adam was going to give you everything you’ve ever dreamed of. Everything a woman could want! Financial stability, a loving husband and father of your children. What more could you ask for?”

I grimace.Loving?Once upon a time, I would’ve called Adam that. If we were still together, I probably still would be. But now? Now that we’re broken up, all I can see are the ugly parts of him.

The parts that made me feel unwanted. Annoying. Like he was bored with me, only staying with me out of obligation. I was never good enough, never submissive enough, never like his friends’ girlfriends.

“He was going to propose, you know. And you didn’t even visit him in the hospital. How could you be so cruel?”

“He was going towhat?” I screech so loudly that I get a few surprised glances from people walking past.

He was going to propose? While he was actively cheating on me?!

I’d tell my mother that, but I know her well enough to be able to predict how that will go. Either she’ll tell me it was my fault, or she won’t believe me.

Best to avoid that trainwreck.