Chapter 18 UNRULY CONFRONTATIONS (I)
Chapter 18 UNRULY CONFRONTATIONS (I)
HAYLEY
I decided to start thinking with my brain and not my heart.
Which is why I’m currently standing in the living room of the DaSilva mansion with my bags in hand.
I already made up my mind to leave this city, but to do that, I need money.
I am well aware that Silvan and his wife would not mind feeding and clothing me until I get back on my feet, but it’s high time I went back to being independent. And Edward’s five million dollars will help me to do just that.
Tears sting my eyes as I survey the luxuriously furnished room, now cold and quiet without Toby’s high-pitched shrieks.
I miss my son so much, it hurts.
“I’m only here for the money and grandma,” I remind myself, blinking back my tears. I’ll be out of here before I know it.
I can hear the staff whisper amongst themselves as I make my way to the master bedroom.
Grandma went for her routine medical checkup and no one else bothered to welcome me back.
Not that I care.
Walking into the master bedroom feels like stepping into a portal. Everything is just as I left it.
Something catches my eyes just by the windowsill.
It’s the flowers I gave Edward on Valentine’s Day two weeks ago. Red roses. All wilted.
He claims to hate me so much, so how come he never threw them away?
Half an hour later, I’m focused on packing to move to the guest bedroom when the door swings open.
“Well, well, well. Look what the cat dragged in.”
Ugh. Aunt Susan.
I shut my eyes and count to five, hoping the evil witch will be gone by the time I’m done.
The devil definitely enjoys playing with me because she’s still there.
I turn around to find not one, but three women blocking the doorway, each radiating different degrees of annoyance.
Aunt Susan. Donatella. And our wolf in sheep’s clothing, Victoria.
Here goes nothing.
“Aunt Susan. What an… unpleasant surprise.” I flick an unimpressed glance at Donatella and Victoria. “I see you brought your loyal minions.”
“What the fuck did you just call me?” Donatella sneers, nostrils flaring, fingers curling into fists. Aunt Susan holds her back with a hand on her shoulder.
“Calm down, Dona.”
I observe her pitiful burst of rage with a smug smile.
“What the hell is funny, stupid bitch?”
“Calm down, Dona.” I tease, hiding my annoyance behind fake banter. “Always so eager to get violent. Daughters of prestigious families do not behave like street touts, you know.”
She bares her teeth in a snarl, struggling in Aunt Susan’s grip.
My smile widens. How I love rage baiting the enemy.
“You should be grateful that your aunt is a bit more… levelheaded than you are, Dona dear.
I have no idea what damage you think you could do to me if she wasn’t holding you back, but let me reiterate that I would fold you like a pretzel and shove your ass out the window before you even get the chance to uncurl those tiny fists.”
She bares her teeth, letting out a full fledged groan.
It’s so fucking comical, I cannot help the laughter that spills from my lips.
“Oh for God’s sake, Donatella. I hope you do not think you’re some sort of werewolf.”
“That’s enough!” Aunt Susan snaps.
I level her with a glare.
“I will speak when I want to.”
“Not in this house you won’t!” She steps forward, “remember your place, street girl, and shove that pride of yours in your pocket. In this house, you are nothing.”
I open my mouth to speak but she beats me to it, her voice dripping with raw hatred.
“Don’t think we’ve forgotten so quickly that you took something very important away from us.
If it wasn’t for your carelessness, Toby would still be alive today. You’re a good for nothing, shitty mother.
Bringing you here, marrying you, has to be Edward’s biggest mistake.”
Her words pierce through my armour, shattering my heart to pieces.
“And to think that you just wouldn’t let him be!” Donatella snarls. “I’m sure you somehow connived with grandma just to come back here and cause further damage.
You cheated on my brother and killed his son. What more do you want from him?! What more do you want from us?”
There’s a knot the size of the Antarctica in my throat. I gulp it down, forcing my head to stay high when all I want to do is crawl underneath the bed and scream until my lungs are raw.
“If you’re done crashing out, you can see yourselves out.” I mutter coldly, relieved that my voice does not tremble. “As you can see, I’m busy.”
“Don’t be disrespectful, Hayley.” Victoria says softly. “You know you’re in the wrong. Aunt Susan and Donatella have every right to be upset with you.
Edward worked so hard to give you the life of your dreams, yet you abandoned his child to run after another man, and you’re not even remorseful.
You hurt the entire DaSilva family. Everyone is grieving because of you. The least you can do is apologize.”
Tense silence hangs in the room when Victoria finally finishes her speech.
With measured calm, I lift a glass of sparkling water from the vanity table.
When I’m done downing the entire glass, I finally face my audience. Especially her.
“That’s a lot of feelings you have about my marriage, Victoria. You must care about this family very deeply.” My tone is mildly pleasant, but there’s no mistaking the tang of sarcasm in between.
“Yes, she does.” Aunt Susan snaps. “Unlike you.”
I take another careful sip of my water.
“Wonderful. Edward is lucky to have such a devoted…friend.”
With a practiced sigh, I turn towards the floor-to-ceiling windows.
“I appreciate the unwanted welcome party, but as far as I’m concerned, this conversation is over. Grandma wants me here and there’s nothing any of us can do about it. You can all leave now.”
“Such an arrogant little bitch.” Aunt Susan snarls.
“I hope you realize your place is in the guest room. The master bedroom is reserved for my brother and the woman he actually loves,” says Donatella.
I pause in the process of folding my favorite Louis Vuitton sweater.
“What did you say?”
“You heard her.” Aunt Susan chimes in, “this room is reserved for Edward and Victoria. In fact, they spent the last two nights sleeping together. Isn’t that true, Vickie?”
Victoria lowers her head, her lips curving in a shy smile.
“Aunt, you don’t have to put it out there.”
I can bet my left tit that the pretentious bitch enjoys her business with Edward being “put out there.”
“Oh, don’t be shy, my child. We all see the way he looks at you. The man is head over heels in love!”
I wait for the familiar pang of jealousy to hit me.
It doesn't come.
All I feel is mild irritation, and the burning need to burst their perfect little bubble.
“What are you waiting for?” Donatella snarls. “Pack up your things and leave already.”