Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 39740 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 199(@200wpm)___ 159(@250wpm)___ 132(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39740 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 199(@200wpm)___ 159(@250wpm)___ 132(@300wpm)
The car drove down the driveway, and the chauffeur let me out of the backseat. I didn’t ring the doorbell; I just used the key I had made and opened the door. I knew my Dad wouldn’t be home for at least another hour, but she was home.
“What’re you doing just opening the door and walking in like you live here?”
“Oh, hi, you’re still here.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Do you know who owns this house?” I know she knows because Dad had told her after years of her believing it was his.
“Get out!”
“I don’t think so. I’m here to see my father in the house my grandparents own. While you are just the mongrel dog that my father crawled into bed with and bore a flea.”
I caught her hand before it connected with my cheek but was sure to use my left hand so she got a good look at the ring. “What’s the matter? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“That ring, where did you get that ring?”
“Where do you think? I know you saw a picture of it once in a magazine when Dad was showing off to you in the beginning. I hear you threw a tantrum because you didn’t get it.”
She flew at me again with her claws bared. I knocked her hand away. “I’m not that scared little girl anymore, Janice. And if you want to remain in this cushy little setup, you’d get out of my face right this second.”
“You, you’ve gone mad. You can’t talk to me like that. Wait until your father gets home.”
“Tell me, Janice. The last couple of times you’ve seen me in my father’s presence, how has he been? In fact, when is the last time my father has taken your side against me?”
I smiled and walked past her to take a seat in her favorite chair in the family room. “Bess, are you here?” I called out for the maid who had been with the family since before I was born.
“Yes, Miss?”
“I’d like a bottle of water, please, if you don’t mind.”
We smiled at each other, and she went to get me the water. I asked about her family as she poured it into the crystal glass with a wedge of lemon on the lip.
“Oh, they’re doing very well, thank you.”
Bess departed so as not to seem too fond of me. That way, Janice would never know that she’s a font of information about what goes on in this house since I no longer frequent the place.
“What do you want? Why are you here?”
“That’s none of your business. I thought I asked you to get out of my sight. Or should I lock you in your room for the weekend?” That’s right, I plan to do to you everything that you did to me and my mother.
“I hear that your daughter is planning a wedding. Looks like we sisters think alike. I wonder if we have the same taste in men?” I laughed at my own joke, which went right over her head.
“So, is that what that is? You’re getting married?”
She hadn’t taken her eyes off my ring once. “Yes, I am. Grandpa gave my fiancé the family’s most precious heirloom to propose with. What kind of ring did Lacey get? I can’t wait to see it.”
“Lacey’s ring is being made; you don’t need to worry about it.”
“Hmm, I hope he has very deep pockets because, knowing her, as soon as she sees my ring, she’s going to want one to match it. She’s always been jealous of me that way. Oh, by the way, how did she do in college? Better than you, I hope. Didn’t you drop out to have her after you slept with a married man?”
Her eyes were almost on the floor, and with good reason. This was the first time I had staged a frontal attack on her or the first time I’d let her see my self-assured side. There was a reason behind my actions; I wanted to push her to do the unthinkable.
“Who do you think you are, you little bitch?”
“JANICE!” I’m not sure how she didn’t hear his car pull up outside. I did. or maybe it’s the fact that I could see the driveway from my seat, and she couldn’t.”
“Leo, I didn’t….”
“What the hell are you doing?” He looked from her to me and back as if not sure what to do next.
“Hi, Dad. Sorry, I just dropped in without calling first."
"Nonsense, this is your home. You don’t need to stand on principles. What brings you here?”
“I’m engaged and thought you should hear it from me first.”
“Oh? I didn’t know you were seeing someone. Who is it?”
“No one, you know. Just a boy I met at university.” Lacey entered the room just in time.
“What, boy?” She was giving me the evil eye.