Chapter Two Hundred and Thirty-Three

Chapter Two Hundred and Thirty-Three
Rose

Jayce and I are at an event tonight with his parents, brothers, and the other girls. I am glad they are all here because everything is very business-like. I would be bored out of my mind if I were here alone. It is the first time we have come to one of these in a while. I am standing at the bar getting myself a drink; the others have one. The guys are all talking business. I will never get used to this. 

"I should have known you would be here?" 

I roll my eyes at the sound of Lillian's annoying voice from behind me. We haven't seen her around since she showed up at Jayce's office a few weeks ago. We thought we had gotten rid of her. 

I turn to face her. "Yes, and your point?" 

"Why are you even here? You still don't fit in here. You never will." 

I laugh. "Good, because I would hate myself if I were anything like you. Don't you have someone else to bother? Are you really so alone in life that you need to spend your time harassing Jayce and me? I feel sorry for you." 

Lillian's face tightens and glares at me, not liking my words. She steps closer. "You can act like you are something special because Jayce chose you, but guess what, there is nothing special about you. You and Jayce won't last. He will get bored with you. He will realise he needs someone with better breeding." 

I laugh loudly. "Better breeding? What are we, horses? Grow up, Lillian. I told you, we aren't playing this game again." 

"You know it is true. You are nothing, Rose. You are one woman in a line of many that Jayce has had. You won't be the last. He is probably already screwing someone else. I have seen him look cosy with more than one other woman tonight." She hisses. 

Well, that is bullshit because he has either been with me or his brothers and father discussing business. 

"The difference between those other women and me? He loves me. I am the one with the ring on my finger, sweetie. Jayce won't cheat on me. He has no reason to. I give him everything he needs and then some. You should stop living in a world of delusion. Jayce doesn't want you! He never wanted you! He never will." 

Her face turns red with anger, and she grabs my arm roughly. It is painful, but I don't let her see it. "Don't mess with me, Rose. You are picking the wrong woman to mess with." 

"Lillian, take your hands off my daughter-in-law right now." I hear Jayce's mother warn from behind me. 

Panic takes over Lillian's face, and she quickly lets go of my arm and turns to her. "She isn't your daughter-in-law yet. You know as much as I do, she is not good enough for Jayce or to carry your family name. You told me that." 

"Things change. Lillian, you'd better leave them alone. Rose loves my son. He loves her. They are getting married and will be together for the rest of their lives. You need to back off. If you don't, I will tell your family what you are up to. Don't make me tell you again. Stay away from them." 

Lillian glances over her shoulder at me. She is in shock. Jayce's mother is the last person she expects to stick up for me. She huffs and scurries off. 

"Are you okay?" she asks. 

I rub my arm where her fingerprints are now on the skin. "I am fine. Thank you for sticking up for me." 

"Anytime. I am to blame for her being in both your lives. It is the least you can do. I am sorry about that. I am sorry about everything. I wouldn't want my son to be with anyone else." She says softly. 

"It is okay. The past is the past. Hopefully, soon enough, she will be in the past only." 

"She will stay away. If she doesn't, I will talk with her family. You should go back to your friends. I need to get back to my husband." She smiles. 

I thank her again, and we head our separate ways. I return to the girls. 

"Rose, what happened to your arm?" Remi asks when she sees the mark on. 

"Lillian happened. I am fine." 

Remi glances around. "She did that to you? Where is the bitch? I will go and kick her ass." She hisses, her fists balling at her sides. 

"Remi, don't, she isn't worth it. Forget about her." I plead, not wanting to cause any trouble. 

Remi won't think twice about slapping her since she is very protective of me. 

"She can't keep getting away with this bullshit, Rose." She sighs. 

"I refuse to stoop to her level. She will get bored, eventually. Jayce's mom had a word with her. She seemed scared and nervous when she did, hopefully that will help." 

Remi doesn't look happy with my suggestion, but she sighs and nods her head. "I will leave it for now, but if she comes back around, I won't be held responsible for my actions because I am tired of the bitch, and I am not the one she is causing problems with." 

"Thank you. I don't want her to ruin our night." I reply and take a sip of my wine. 

I feel a pair of eyes on me, and when I glance around, I notice it is Jayce from across the room, watching me with a smile on his lips. I return the smile and wave. He will be feeling guilty that he has barely seen me tonight, which I don't want. 

He turns away after a moment, getting back to the conversation he was in. The event shouldn't run too late tonight. I am still not a fan of them, but I am here for Jayce. I don't hate them as much as I used to, probably because any issues between Jayce's parents and me are no longer there. 

"Are you three used to these yet?" Penelope laughs. 

"I can handle them better than I used to," I answer. 

Remi shrugs. "They don't bother me." 

"I am still getting used to them," Maria laughs. 

"It will become second nature in no time," Penelope replies. 

At least we all have one another to get through it. It makes life a little easier for us all. I am happy that the women around me are all strong and confident. It is like having three sisters. It got lonely sometimes growing up as an only child.