Chapter 130 Why would you invite her?
If this woman was not my mom, I would be dropping F bombs left and right.
“Are you serious right now?” I ask her, my voice coming out harsh. “Why would you invite her?”
“I did not invite her, okay? You think I like this situation?” Mom says, talking fast. “Even though they are divorced, she is still Alexander’s business partner. What am I supposed to do?”
“A million things! Did you even try talking to Mr. Thorne about this? I am pretty sure he would feel just as awkward having his ex-wife show up to the anniversary party he is throwing with his new wife.”
Mom lets out a long, deep sigh. “I tried. But he said they ended things on good terms so nobody should feel weird about it. And right now he is in the middle of negotiating a new partnership with her company, so he could not exactly uninvite her. I do not want to mess up his work because of our personal life.”
I want to tell her that is complete bullshit. No normal person invites their ex to their anniversary.
But that is how high society works, honestly. It is all drama and ridiculous situations. Since Mom does not get any say in the Thorne family, all she can do is deal with the humiliation and the absurdity.
I start biting my nails, feeling anxious, thinking about Liam’s mother, Caroline Griswold.
I met her once, three years ago, right after my mom married Mr. Thorne. She completely intimidated me with her fancy Chanel suit and her perfect makeup and that whole rich people attitude.
That day she came by to drop off a wedding gift for them. She hugged and kissed Mr. Thorne goodbye right in front of my mom, like my mom was not even there. When I mumbled “nice to meet you” to her, she did not even look at me. She just walked past me in her heels like I was nothing.
Later I found out she comes from old money. Her family is extremely rich and has some kind of royal background. Apparently Liam’s grandfather is a British Duke. Funny thing is, he really is a prince in every way.
So power plus money. Caroline Griswold is definitely not someone you want to mess with.
I have always felt that even though Mom won Mr. Thorne’s heart, Caroline Griswold never took us seriously. And she has this special connection with Mr. Thorne that Mom will never have.
“Mom, honestly, I do not know what to tell you,” I say, my voice flat. “You knew what you were getting into when you married him. So just deal with it.”
Plus, I have my own problem to worry about.
If Caroline Griswold finds out that not only did Mom take Mr. Thorne from her, but I am also dating her son right now, she is going to lose her mind on me.
“I know,” Mom says, putting her hand on my arm. “But that is why I need you to be your best self at the anniversary. I know you hate all the dressing up and the socializing, but can you do this for me?”
I really want to tell her that is pathetic and that woman is not going to care what I look like. But I know Mom needs me to support her.
So I nod, even though I feel heavy inside.
Mom forces a small smile. “Thank you, sweetie. Why do not you go find those designers? See what is taking them so long?”
I get up from my seat and walk outside. There is nobody around, so I go down the hall trying to find someone. Right when I walk past another VIP lounge, I hear a familiar voice coming from inside.
“. . . Liam, what do you think?”
I stop right there, not believing what I am hearing. And the next second, I do not even think about it. I just push the door open and walk in.
Rossi whips her head around and screams when she sees me. She is wearing this beautiful evening gown that really shows off her body. But all I can see right now is the man sitting on the couch.
Liam.
I clench my fists so hard my palms start hurting. I am so angry I can not think straight.
So he has been ignoring my texts this whole time, but he was with Rossi? Are they back together already? What the hell is his problem?
Liam’s eyes go wide with shock. He just stares at me like he can not believe what he is seeing.
Rossi stomps her foot and snaps, “What are you doing here?”
“Shut up, Rossi,” I spit out. “Liam, do you have something to say?”
He narrows his eyes a little. Then he slowly leans back in his seat, his face going back to that arrogant look he always has. A cold smile shows up on his lips, like he is enjoying watching me get mad.
“What do you want to hear?” he says with a laugh in his voice.
I just glare at him, my eyes burning. So he does not even care to explain anything. Not now, not ever. Thinking back to all the good times we had, I feel so stupid and used.
I bite my lip, feeling ashamed. Nothing I do right now is going to change the fact that I am an idiot.
So I turn around without saying anything and walk out of their room.
When I get back to our room, the designers are already there with a rack of sample dresses for us to pick from. Mom is having a great time looking through them and talking with the designers, while I just sit there quietly staring at nothing.
Liam is back with Rossi.
Or maybe he never actually left her. He has been messing with me the whole time.
Or maybe all women are just trash to him. I should have known, since he is such a player.
“Soph, sweetie?” I hear Mom calling me. I look up and see her holding up a silver dress for me to see.
“Do you not think this is absolutely beautiful?” she says, looking at the dress like she is in love with it. “I think it really brings out your eye color. Why do not you go try it on?”
I am not in the mood to be Mom’s doll right now. But before I can say no, the door to the VIP lounge swings open and someone walks in.
It is Liam. Rossi is right behind him.
I jump up immediately. Great. Why can not they just leave me alone?
“Liam,” Mom says, blinking in surprise. “I did not expect to see you here.”
“I ran into Soph earlier. Thought I would come say hi,” he says to Mom, but his eyes are locked on me.
Why does he keep looking at me?
Rossi steps out from behind Liam and walks up to Mom with a fake smile. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Thorne. I am Liam’s girlfriend, Rossi.”
Girlfriend my ass. That guy does not treat any of us like a girlfriend.
Liam sits down next to me, not saying anything about what Rossi just said. I immediately move away from him.
“And that dress is amazing!” Rossi gasps and grabs the dress from my mom without even asking. She turns to Liam and says in a cheerful voice, “Liam, I think I found the one. It looks really good on me, does not it?”
I let out a loud laugh and roll my eyes.
Mom frowns. “I am glad you like it. But I picked that for my daughter. There are plenty of other options for you to choose from.”
“I understand, Mrs. Thorne. I just love it so much.” Rossi looks at me and gives me this mean smile. “Or Sophie, maybe we can both try it on. And let Liam decide which one of us deserves the dress. What do you think?”