4.Chapter 4 Screw This Engagement
Lynn’s slap landed like a sledgehammer, no mercy, sending Laura stumbling and crashing to the floor.
The thermos Laura held onto like it was her last lifeline slipped from her hands, bouncing across the ground with a dull clatter.
Laura’s eyes locked onto the thermos. She scrambled over, snatching it up and clutching it tight before hauling herself upright.
“Honey, I didn’t mean to smack you that hard…” Lynn’s voice wavered, her eyes widening at Laura’s red, swollen cheek, a streak of blood at her lip.
Panic flickered across her face, and she reached out to touch her daughter’s cheek.
But then she saw the ugly, mottled bruises all over Laura’s skin again, and the anger roared back. Her hand yanked back like she’d touched a live wire.
Laura caught it all, her gaze turning cold as ice. “Even a fucking criminal gets a chance to speak up. But you? You don’t even ask what the hell happened last night before you pin me as some skank screwing around.”
“Sometimes, I gotta ask,” she said, her voice sharp, “am I really your daughter, or just some jerk you’re stuck dealing with?”
Her eyes swept over the whole family–Lynn, her dad, her sister–one by one. “So, when Brielle was choking the shit outta me earlier, I was supposed to just stand there and take it like a good little punching bag?
“Yeah, Brielle’s your precious little princess, your goddamn golden child. And me? I’m just the spare you popped out to keep her alive. A fucking backup plan. But now that I‘ m not needed, I’m nothing but garbage you can’t wait to chuck.“
Laura let out a harsh, bitter laugh. “If you don’t give a damn about me, why the hell did. you even bring me back to this family?”
“Laura Wilson!” Lynn’s breath hitched, her face flushed with rage. “When have we ever stopped loving you? You’re my kid, damn it! I’m your mom! If I didn’t care, why would I even bother-”
“Oh, please, you’re my mom,” Laura snapped, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “The mom who’s always ready to shove my face in the dirt and call it love.”
Years of her parents‘ slow, creeping neglect had ground down the hope Laura once had when she’d stepped into this house, dreaming of a family that actually cared.
She’d braced herself for the letdown, but Lynn’s words still sliced deep, snuffing out the last flicker of warmth in her heart.
She didn’t lose it or scream. She just wiped the tears from her face with a steady, Icy hand. “If your idea of ‘love‘ is jumping to conclusions, screwing me over, and dragging
1444
4.Chapter 4 Screw This Engagement
my name through the mud without even asking, then fuck it. I don’t want it, and I sure as hell don’t need it.”
Lynn’s temper flared, her mouth opening to rip into Laura, but then their eyes met, and she froze.
Laura stared her down, unblinking, her gaze flat–not hurt, not pleading, just… dead. Like she was looking at a total stranger.
It hit Lynn like a punch to the chest. She flashed back to the first time they’d brought Laura home for good. That scrawny kid, thin as a shadow, had stared at her with those same cold, distant eyes. No tears, no fuss.
They’d tried to patch things up years ago, but now, catching that look in Laura’s eyes again, Lynn felt a chill settle in her chest. Something was slipping away, quiet but undeniable, and it shook her.
A sudden panic twisted Lynn’s gut, and she flicked her eyes to Desmond. “Babe…”
Desmond was already in a shitty mood after the Weaver family’s news that morning. Now, seeing Laura, usually so docile, stirring up this drama? He was livid. He shot up, face dark as a storm. “Laura, get your ass to the study. Now.”
“Nah, I’m good.”
Laura’s voice was cold as she shook her head at him. “I’m starting to think me leaving
this house is the best move for all of us.”
“Are you serious?” Desmond slammed his fist on the table, the sound echoing. “We don’t even know what the hell went down last night, and you’re ready to bolt?”
His temper flared, but then he saw the angry red handprint swelling on Laura’s pale cheek. A flicker of guilt softened his scowl, his jaw tightening.
Brielle caught the shift in Desmond’s mood and slid her gaze to Laura.
She’d been clocking that thermos Laura was gripping like it was her lifeline. Anything Laura cared about that much? Brielle couldn’t resist screwing with it.
“Relax, Laura. Mom and Dad are just freaking out because they care for you,” Brielle said, stepping closer with a fake smile. “Just spill what happened, and we’re cool, right?” Quick as hell, she snatched the thermos from Laura’s arms, slyly twisting the lid loose. “What’s this, your precious little secret? Let me take a look.”
“Give it back!” Laura’s face went pale, and she lunged for it.
But Brielle played it up, flinching like Laura’s shout had spooked her. Her body jerked, and the loosened thermos hit the floor with a thud. The lid popped off, and the chicken soup spilled everywhere.
“Oh, god!” Brielle gasped, slapping a hand over her mouth. “Laura, I’m so sorry! You yelled, and I just–dropped it. Total fuck–up, I swear!”
“Honey, you okay? Did you burn yourself?” Lynn rushed over, grabbing Brielle’s hand to
2/4
4 Chapter 4 Screw This Engagement
check for burns, the steaming soup still hissing on the floor.
Laura stared at them–Lynn fussing over Brielle like they were some picture–perfect duo. Slowly, she turned to Desmond, whose face was a mess of frustration and something softer. “Dad, don’t you think I’m just… extra around here?”
“Laura…” Desmond’s fist clenched, but his voice dropped, almost pleading. “Come upstairs. Let’s sort this out.”
“No. I’m done. Let’s get this over with now.”
Laura locked eyes with him, her voice rough but steady. “I’m calling off the
engagement with Cameron.”
“What?” Desmond and Lynn stared, jaws practically on the floor. “You’re bailing on the engagement?”
Brielle, unnoticed in the chaos, let a smug little smirk tug at her lips, like she’d just pulled off some master plan.
Lynn’s face twisted, not having it. “Okay, yeah, Cameron’s pissed about last night, but he hasn’t dumped you. With his grandpa Russell still calling the shots, we can fix this. You-”
“Fix it? I don’t want to fix it. I’m not waiting for him to kick me to the curb. I’m out.” Laura’s fists balled up, last night’s memories burning behind her eyes. “This engagement? Done.”
“You don’t get to just walk away!” Lynn snapped, her temper flaring at the thought of Laura tanking the marriage deal. “After the mess you made last night, you think you can just play victim and bounce?”
“Lynn!” Desmond growled, shooting her a look to shut it.
Then he turned to Laura, who looked like she’d been drained of life, and tried to sound calm. “Laura, you’re the one who picked Cameron. You wanted this-”
“That was then.” Laura’s eyes were hollow, like something in her had shattered. “He’s
into someone else now.”
“So you just give up? Torch your whole damn reputation? Desmond’s voice cracked with frustration and hurt. “Who cares who he’s eyeing? You love him, don’t you? And with Russell in charge, Cameron’s not marrying anyone else. Laura, don’t be an idiot.”
“Dad, you and Mom both think I’m the one who fucked up, don’t you?” Laura’s voice. broke, her face caught between tears and defiance.
“Laura, that’s not what I- Desmond started, but she wasn’t hearing it.
Without another word, she turned and headed for the front door.
Desmond, cursing himself for shooting off his mouth, tried to call her back, but his phone blared to life right then.
Brielle caught the relief flooding Desmond’s face after he hung up and pounced. “Dad,
3/4
4 Chapter & Sc
Screw The Engagement
who was that?”
Desmond let out a heavy sigh, a smirk creeping in. “Mrs. Weaver. She reamed out Cameron, Laura’s engagement? Still on, three days from now, like clockwork.”
“You’re kdding me!” Brielle’s voice hit the ceiling, eyes wide with shock. “It’s still happening?”
Her parents‘ skeptical stares pinned her, and Brielle scrambled, her gaze flickering. “I mean, I just flipped out. Can’t believe Mrs. Weaver’s still covering for us after Laura’s
mess.
The word “mess” struck Lynn like a gut punch. Her face darkened. “Babe, we gottal haul Laura back now. If anyone spots those hickeys, Cameron’s gonna know she was banging someone last night. Then her rep–and our whole family’s–is done.”
固
