Ever After Awaits (Layla) novel Chapter 51

Ever After Awaits

Chapter 51: Layla POV

Michael’s voice slices through the tension that hangs in the air, like a honed blade does flesh. It’s instant and inflicts damage without much effort.

Mom’s whole body whips around, and I fear for a second she will topple over on her sky–high heels.

“Michael,” she placatingly starts, “I didn’t see you there.”

“Obviously not,” comes his unimpressed reply as he approaches our group.

Thinking she can use her sex appeal to get back in his good graces, she sidles up to him with a salacious smile and purrs at him, “I didn’t know you were home. We could have had some alone time.”

She misses the mark in making it sound like an innuendo, further solidifying that she’s lost touch with reality.

It doesn’t sway Michael, though, as he looks at her like she’s a stranger standing before him. “I asked you a question,” he says, not allowing her to change the subject.

The panic in mom’s eyes is instant. She looks at my arm where the bruises are, then back to Michael, her mouth open, but no sound comes out. I feel for her for a fraction of a second, but as I open my mouth to try and de–escalate the situation, she digs the hole she’s in only deeper.

“Sweetheart, we had a little spat, yes, and I did hold her by the arm, but that was just to keep her from lashing out at me. As I was leaving the room, I saw her stumble, but at the time, I thought she had most likely tripped over something lying on her floor. How was I to know she’d go down so hard, it would cause a gash on her head?”

Who even is this woman that’s standing before me?

The mother I grew up with was loving, kind, and protective. But this woman is manipulative, conniving, and self–serving.

It’s at that exact moment that my heart breaks for the relationship we once had. Because, after this, we can never return to how it was between us.

I refuse to surround myself with people who think it’s okay to put their hands on someone else, and then lie and manipulate the situation so they come out as the victim at the end of it all. My mental health is more important than fighting for a relationship that has crumbled irrevocably.

Slowly rising from my seat, the guys all take one step back to give me room. I walk around the table and walk towards her and Michael. Stopping a couple of feet in front of them, I lock eyes with her, and I only have two words left for her, “Goodbye, Mom.”

I block out all the noise of everyone protesting in some way and for different reasons as I purposefully walk inside, through the kitchen, up the stairs, and into my bedroom.

Shutting the door behind me, I lock it and turn around. I lean against it before sliding down to sit on the floor. I draw my knees up to my chest, wrap my arms around them, and rest my forehead on my knees. The tears then come quickly and effortlessly

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I cry for the moments we had: the laughs around the dinner table, the silly dance parties in the living room when Dad had to work late, the warm days at the park stretched out on a picnic blanket, and the bedtime stories complete with silly voices.

I cry for the moments we will never have; her helping me decorate my first place, her helping me plan my wedding, her holding her first grandchild, me going to her for advice when life throws me an inevitable curveball or two.

I cry for the things we’ve lost: the unequivocal trust had in her, the knowledge that she’d always be there to pick me up after a fall physical or proverbial, the boundless love I felt for her for just being my mom, and the hope for our futures and what it might have looked like.

I’m unsure how long I’ve been sitting here when yoices start filtering through the door, one after the other in intervals. First, Moira asked if I’m okay, and to come down whenever I’m ready. Then Hunter wanted to know if he could bring me anything because I hadn’t eaten yet. Then Al promised me Ben & Jerry’s and a boatload of junk food if I just spoke to him so he could hear my voice. Then Cade told me he’d be by my side no matter what I decide to do going forward

Xavier doesn’t come, which doesn’t surprise me. I knew his change in attitude towards me was too good to be true. He’s probably ecstatic that turmoil is brewing between me and my mom, hoping we’ll pack our stuff and leave his house just as he initially wanted

When my ass is numb from sitting on the hardwood floor for too long, I get up and go to the bathroom. The face that stares back at me in the mirror is that

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Chapter 51: Layla POV

of a total stranger. Her eyes are red rimmed and pulty from all the crying Her lips swollen and inflamed from pressing them dicen on each other to keep the subs from spilling from her throat And the heartbroken look in her eyes is what tragic love stories are based on

Where to from here? That’s the only thought that runs on a loop in my mind as 1 lunch over the vanity counter. I can’t stay here. That’s the only thing i Laow with certainty

Even if Michael and my mam patch things up, I have no desire to live under the same roof as her for the foreseeable future, Probably never again.

Should Michael and Mom separate or split up, staying would alan be weird, as we’re not related, and he isn’t obligated to keep a roof over my head.

I’d miss Moira and José dearly, but maybe I can visit them regularly

I have enough savings to get a cheap Aubub for now, at least until I can find a full time job with a better paycheck. Maybe, by that time, the sale of the house will have been finalized, and I can use my portion to find a small place that’s all mine,

Regrettably, I’ll have to press pause on my university dreams, again, but I’m sure with night classes I can work towards bettering my future so I won’t become dependent on a man like my mom did.

I’ll have to discuss with Michael the repayment of the money he’s already spent to get me into Saxonsen, but hopefully, he’ll give me some leniency regarding the repayment terms.

With my mind made up, I pack a small bag with essentials for a few days, and dress in something more comfortable. I’ll go to Beantree and look for accommodation while Terra will likely ply me with copious amounts of caffeine.

With my plan mapped out, I straighten my spine and pull my shoulders back, Grabbing my overnight bag, I unlock the door and freeze immediately.

“Xavier 7”

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