Page 53 of Vain

“You wouldn’t say that if you’d seen them.” She sniffs indignantly.

“Seen them? I’ve done more than see them. I touched them, kissed them. I’ve fucking worshipped them because every single mark on her skin is a stepping stone that led her to me. I thank god every single day that she survived. Jesus, how can you look at her with anything but pride and awe?”

Silence blankets the space as Daniel looks at me with a shocked expression.

“What? You didn’t know about the scars?” I strip out of my sweatshirt and before I can chicken out, I slide my pants down my legs and kick them off. I stand before Daniel, a man who professes to love me, in nothing more than bikini briefs and a bra. And what do you know, it’s not my tits that catch his attention but my scars. The motherfucker flinches before stepping back as if my scars burn him.

“What’s the matter, Daniel? I thought you loved me,” I mock, fighting back tears at his reaction. Not because I care what he thinks of me but because this is how most people react. “Well, guess what, Daniel? You’re not the only one here that’s disgusted. Now I want you to leave my house, and takeyour team this time. I don’t want you to have any excuse to return. Any security you had here has been revoked, effective immediately.”

“Oh, stop being dramatic. And for god’s sake, cover yourself up,” my mother snaps, her voice quivering as she looks anywhere but at me.

“Oh, I’m sorry. Does my trauma offend you? That sounds like a you problem. I’m done with this, done with you and all your superficial bullshit. You talk about Aiden not being good enough for me. It’s me who is not good enough for him.” My voice croaks as he whips his head around to look at me.

He stalks toward me and cups my jaw. “You’re way too good for me, but I’m just selfish enough to keep you. Besides, you just said you’d marry me. That sounds like a proposal to me. And in case you’re wondering, my answer is yes.” He kisses me before grabbing my clothes off the floor. He gets to his knees and holds my pants out for me to step into. I grip his shoulders and let him help me get dressed, finding the whole thing as intimate as if he were stripping me bare.

Once I slip the hoodie on, I feel like I have my armor back in place. I glare at Daniel, who hasn’t moved. It’s as if he is frozen in shock.

“Aiden, call the cops?—”

Daniel clears his throat. “I’ll leave,” he says. “I’m done. I’ll send you my final bill.” When he says this, he’s not looking at me anymore. He’s looking at my mom.

You son of a bitch.

“Tell me you didn’t?” I snap at my Mom.

She rolls her eyes. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Do me a favor, Daniel. You owe me this much for all the bullshit and lies. Fuck off and take my mother with you.”

“How dare you. You can’t treat me this way. The tragedy has messed with your head. I think I should have my doctor comeout and visit you. Maybe a stay in a clinic is exactly what you need.”

“Why? So you can fake some ailment and have me committed?” She doesn’t have the decency to deny it. “I’m so done with this.With you. Goodbye, Mother.”

I turn to leave, but her following words halt my movements. “Don’t make me your enemy, Matilda. You won’t win. I made you what you are. I can take it all away again.”

I shrug. “So take it. I dare you.”

“Time to go.” Aiden’s voice is firm and unyielding.

“Get your hands off me. I’ll have you arrested for assault.”

“Is there a problem here?” I turn at the sound of Greyson’s voice. He’s taking in the ugly scene with a blank expression, but it softens when he looks at me.

“They were just leaving. Neither of them is welcome here again. Please let the guards on the gate know to deny them access.”

“Very well.” He looks at my mother, a frosty edge creeping into his tone. “Mrs. Carson, Daniel, I’ll see you out.”

I walk away as my mother starts cursing up a storm. I’m so over her bullshit, and I need cookies now more than ever.

Leaning against the counter, I let my eyes drift closed for a moment, inhaling the comforting smell of cookie dough.

“So, where do you want to get married?”

I jump at Aiden’s voice before turning to face him. “Sorry about that. I was just trying to prove a point.”

“So you don’t want to marry me? Wow, talk about breaking a man’s heart.”

I roll my eyes. “Trust me, you don’t want to marry me.”