Ever After Awaits (Layla) novel Chapter 46

Chapter 46: Layla POV

Michael’s tone isn’t as harsh as I expected when he asks, “Layla, please tell me it wasn’t a boy that did that to you.”

How do I tell the man that his new wife put her hands on me, her biological daughter, because, according to her, I’m not allowing her to live her best life?

“Uhm…” I start, my eyes darting around the kitchen, afraid that if I make eye contact, he’ll see the answer written on my face.

He takes a few steps closer to me before asking in a lowered voice, “Did one of the guys do that to you?”

Before I can assure him they would never put a hand on me in anger, Xavier bursts from his chair, “No, Dad. Your wife is responsible for Layla’s injuries.”

Michael’s head swivels back in my direction, his eyes widening, “What? Are you sure?”

I scoff before answering, “Yes, I’m sure she threw me down, causing me to knock my head against my desk.” I want to roll my eyes at his stupid question but ultimately refrain, not in the mood to cause more drama if I disrespect him like that.

For a few seconds, he doesn’t speak, but then the sound of the bottle of water in his hand being crushed catches my attention. Oh, he’s pissed, all right.

“Mind telling me why?” he asks after taking a few calming breaths. He better not be insinuating that I did something to deserve being abused.

“Mom’s lawyer called yesterday, asking that I sign the documents for the sale of our house. I said I wanted my lawyer to go through them first. She didn’t like that because apparently, I’m being selfish by not doing as she says when she says.” I refrain from telling him that she resents me. It’s not like he could do anything about it, anyway.

His demeanor of banked anger hasn’t changed since I started talking, and it’s pretty unnerving, to say the least. “May I ask why you want your lawyer to look at the documents?”

“My mom’s insistence that I sign the documents without reading them is not sitting right with me. After what happened to my college fund, I’d rather be safe than sorry.”

“What happened to your college fund?” he asks, a look of bewilderment replacing his fury.

Crap, I didn’t mean for that to slip out. It never was my intention to drag him into the personal issues I have with my mom, but it seems like I’ll have to come clean.

“When I asked her to transfer my college fund to the university so my first year would be covered, she stalled for numerous weeks. When I confronted her about it, she admitted she had spent it. I’m unsure

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what exactly the money was used on, but I can hazard a guess.”

After a few seconds of silence, Michael explodes, “Are you fucking kidding me?!”

We all stare at each other, not knowing what to say, leaving Michael to pace the kitchen while muttering to himself and clenching his fists.

He suddenly swings in my direction again, saying, “She told me your dad didn’t invest the money with the right kind of people, and they disappeared with everything.”

“Yeah, no. I have all the statements and documentation confirming the amount, interest accrued, etc. When Mom delayed giving them the required instructions to transfer the money to the university, I phoned the company myself. They, in turn, said I needed to speak to my mom, not explaining why. When I confronted Mom with the facts, she crumbled and came out with the truth.”

“Son of a…” he starts but is interrupted when his phone rings. Looking down, he curses when he sees whoever’s name is flashing across the screen. “I need to take this, and I’m running late for my meeting at the office. We’ll talk about this later tonight,” he says as he walks out.

Great, just freaking great.

Cade is the one to break the awkward silence that hangs in the air after Michael leaves, “I think a day by

the pool is just what the doctor ordered.”

Not giving anyone time to object, he strolls over to his phone, which lies on the counter next to the stove. “I’m ordering pizzas. Moira, would you mind making us a huge pitcher of your amazing sweet tea?”

The gorgeous smile he gives her makes her blush as she nods her head in assent. He’s most certainly a real

Casanova.

“No pineapple,” Xavier declares as he walks over to the patio doors and swings them open. “Hunter, you helping me get out all the pool furniture and umbrellas?” he asks over his shoulder as he strolls out into the warm sunlight.

“Sir, yes, Sir,” Hunter mocks him before walking past me, pecking my cheek as he goes by me on the way

out.

While Cade is on the phone placing our order, I help Moira grab the ingredients she’ll need. AJ grabs bags of chips from the panty and some salsa and fresh fruit from the fridge. Surprisingly, he spreads everything out in bowls and serving trays before going outside to place them on the vast picnic table that’s next to the pool.

As I’m standing at the counter, slicing lemon slices as a garnish for the tea, Cade comes up behind me, wrapping his arms around my stomach. He rests his chin on my shoulder and says, “Are you okay, Sunshine?”

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Turning my head to look him in the eye, I answer honestly, “All things considered, I’m okay.” I give him a quick peck on the lips before I continue, “Thanks for being here and caring.”

I turn my head back to concentrate on what I am doing, not looking to lose a finger today, when he puts his right hand on my left cheek, pulling my head back to him to grab my full attention. Instinctively, I lean into him, my eyes drifting shut in a moment of calm that comes naturally when I’m with him.

After a few seconds, though, Cade gives me a heart-melting kiss before saying, “Sunshine, I need you to listen to me very carefully right now. You mean the world to me, and I’ll always show up when you need me, come hell or high water. And me caring? That comes naturally where you’re concerned.”

Staring into his blue eyes, the same shade as the sky outside today, I can only see sincerity and adoration reflected back at me. My heart skips a beat as I realize my feelings for him are more profound than I thought.

But it’s too soon, isn’t it? We’ve only known each other for a few weeks. And we’ve only been physically closer in the past couple of days.

But, as I stand in his encompassing hold, no doubts flare up inside me to signal red flags. And I know instinctively that he is one part of my heart that I’ll never be able to live without.

I give him a final peck as I say, “Okay,” along with a warm smile that I hope tells him what I can’t put into words just yet.

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