I know she was his wife, but I was his daughter. It didn’t matter. I never did. Why would I then? Why would I now?
The kid leans over to Sin and Corbin, saying something I don’t hear, making them both laugh. Of course, Sin knows him. They’re the same age. Both Lords. Have lived at the house of Lords since freshman year. Thankfully, Barrington is large enough that you can easily avoid someone who you don’t want to run into. And I’ve never had any classes with them because they are seniors.
I throw back another drink and close my eyes. I take in a deep breath, feeling the room spin. I want it to swallow me up. A hand on my thigh makes me open my eyes and I come face-to-face with a set of pretty blue ones. They search mine before dropping to my chest that the black, silk dress shows off. He doesn’t say anything, but I can see the question all over his face.
Am I okay?
No. I’m losing my goddamn mind. But it won’t be the first time. And honestly, I’m tired of fighting to stay sane. Going crazy would be a vacation.
“We want to thank you all for joining us today,” I hear Lincoln call out to the room that quiets down for his speech. “Laura and I couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome you all to our home…”
That bile returns and my chest heaves as I force it down. Their home? I wish I had that candle to set it on fire.
“To celebrate the beginning of the rest of our lives,” he finishes, and everyone cheers, clapping like he’s the president addressing the United States of America.
He’s not important. I know that much. He’s not as powerful as my father or James was. So why does he think he is?
“Like my husband just said,” my mother starts, and I watch her smile to their guests. I hate to admit that she looks lovely in her white dress. It’s off the shoulders, tight fitting, showing off all of her curves. She wears a set of pearls around her neck that my father got her for their wedding anniversary just two months before he passed away. I want to rip them off her neck. She doesn’t deserve them. “We are very lucky to have so many friends and loved ones to share this special day with us.” She raises her glass. “Thank you again, for all the love and support…”
I’m unable to hold in the laughter that comes from my numbing lips. The room falls silent, and I feel eyes on me. “To the happy couple.” I lift the champagne bottle and then down a big gulp. Time to fuck shit up. I can’t take it anymore. I want to watch it all go up in flames like the flowers.
“Elli,” Kira whispers, leaning into the table.
I push my chair back and stand, turning to face the table at the front of the room and smile. “Really, Mom, do you expect us to believe you actually love him?”
People gasp at my question and my mother’s injected lips thin. Lincoln stretches his neck, fixing his tie. Good, I want to make the bastard as uncomfortable as I can.
“I mean, he’s a Lord.” I laugh at that. “Did you pick him, or did the Lords tell you he was the one you had to marry?”
“Ellington,” she snaps, walking out from behind her table.
“Because between Dad and James … you married down.” My laughter grows. “Am I right?” I turn to face the crowded room full of guests.
A hand grabs my upper arm, and I’m being dragged backward. I almost trip over my heels but I manage to stay upright as I’m shoved through a door.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
SIN
“I’M SORRY ABOUT that, ladies and gentlemen.” Linc stands from his chair. “Elli’s … not well.” He goes on, walking away from the table. “Just give us a few minutes.” He rushes out of the room.
I push my chair back and jump up from my seat. “Easton,” I hear my mother call out, but I ignore her as I follow them.
Shoving open the door to the adjoining room I saw Laura drag Elli into, I see we’re back in the west wing where she stood and stared at the banister that her father hung himself from.
Elli now stands in front of her mother who has her finger in her face.
“You’re not needed here. This is a family matter,” Lincoln states, stepping in front of me. I punch him in his face.
He doubles over, covering it with his hands. “Je-sus,” he mumbles.
“What the fuck?” Laura snaps, looking over at me. Then her eyes go back to her daughter. “What the hell is wrong with you?” she demands. “You’re fucking on something, aren’t you? Drugged up, as usual.”
Elli starts laughing. “Don’t act like you care now, Mom. You’ve never cared before.”
“Elli—”
“You’ve never cared about me at all.” Her voice rises.
“Stop being so damn dramatic.” Her mother rolls her eyes.
I hear the door open behind me and I look over my shoulder to see Chance has followed us to get a view of the show. Giving him my back, I dismiss him.
Laura notices and then looks back to her daughter as well. “I don’t want to see you again until you’re sober.” Her heels clap on the marble as she walks over to her husband. She grabs his arm and starts to drag him back to the party when Elli speaks.
“Why him?” she demands, hands fisted down by her sides. “Why out of all the Lords did you pick him?” Her eyes fill with tears. “He’s nothing like Dad was.”
Laura turns and walks back over to Elli. Hands on her hips. “Your father was a self-absorbed son of a bitch. Just like you,” Laura growls.
Elli’s eyes narrow on her mother. “Father was too good for you,” she states.
I step closer, expecting her mother to slap her, put her hands on Elli in some way. If she does, I’ll break her nose too. I’m not above hitting a woman. Her face will match her husband’s.
Instead, Laura has the audacity to look wounded by Elli’s words. “You’re just like your father. And that’s exactly why you’ll die like him.” A tear runs down Elli’s cheek, her chest heaving as her breathing picks up. “Do us all a favor and get it over with. Take a few extra drugs next time. Just don’t die in this house.” Laura snorts. She storms off but only to turn back after a few steps, deciding she’s not done. “I have given you everything. And this is how you treat me, you ungrateful little bitch?”
Elli throws her head back laughing, the motion making her stumble in her heels, throwing her off balance. I step forward to catch her, but she rights herself. “Seriously? You think I asked to be raped?”
“Raped?” Her mother’s mouth drops. “You think I didn’t know that you sat outside my office listening to my sessions? You think I didn’t know that you tricked James into fucking you?”
Elli’s watery eyes go wide, and she gasps. “Tricked him? I did no such thing—”
“You really think that I wasn’t aware that you were a whore who spread her legs for my husband?” She’s yelling in Elli’s face.
Ellington doesn’t say anything, instead she stares at her mother with tears in her eyes. The only parent she had just admitted that she knew what was happening but chose not to protect her. Not to stop it.
“I saw everything. And you should thank your lucky stars for James. Because when I wanted to ship you off, he was the one who talked me into letting you stay under my roof.” With that, Laura spins around, and her narrowed eyes meet mine before they go to her husband. “Get her the fuck out of my house,” she orders him and then she storms off into the other room, not giving a shit about her daughter.