Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 32879 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 164(@200wpm)___ 132(@250wpm)___ 110(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 32879 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 164(@200wpm)___ 132(@250wpm)___ 110(@300wpm)
Carla had never hated anyone, not even Hank. She had forgiven him and made peace with it all, but she would never forget.
“How does that help? You’re still here and he’s still there.”
“But I’m happy, Adele. Can’t you see that? I’ve got you? He doesn’t have me, and he doesn’t have you. I can’t hate him.”
Adele had never understood what her mother was talking about, not until that moment. Nibbling her lip, she looked at Enzo, and she hated him. His words were cold and cruel, but she realized he was right. The past twenty-four hours, she’d given up. The dress she wore, though beautiful, wasn’t one she would choose.
If she allowed Enzo to have his way, she’d lose everything her mother had fought for. She couldn’t allow that to happen.
Squaring her shoulders, she turned on her heel and headed toward the door. She expected Enzo to stop her, but he didn’t. He allowed her to go, but when it came to them joining the party, Enzo placed a hand across her hip. Adele tried not to think about how good it felt having his hands on her body.
I’m not attracted to Enzo.
My body doesn’t want him.
It was all lies, but one day, she hoped if she said it enough, she could convince herself it was true.
They entered the party, and Enzo smiled and seemed to charm the men who continued to stop and speak to them.
Adele stopped looking for her father and the woman that had beaten her mother up. When she had seen her, Adele had felt that rage inside her starting to build. She didn’t know if the woman even knew who she was. If she didn’t know exactly who she was, then Adele was more than happy to help her understand.
Enzo gripped her hip tightly. He didn’t just squeeze, there seemed to be a gentle massage, as if he was making sure she was okay and handling everything.
She was more than okay. It had only been a short blip for her, but in truth, she had felt like she lost everything. Her mother had taken her away from this life, and now glancing at the women, she saw that most of them put on a façade. Adele couldn’t help but wonder how many of the women hated it here. Most of them were younger, with older men.
“Didn’t you want to be with him, Mommy?”
“No, sweetheart. That world is not for me and I didn’t fall for your father because of who he was. I didn’t know who he was. There’s no way I’d ever be part of that world. I don’t want to be. Not now, not ever.”
“Men can’t get enough of you,” Enzo said, placing his lips against her head. “I may have to murder a few of them to let them know who you belong to.”
She rolled her eyes. “They don’t care who I am. They’re more interested in you.”
“That’s where you’re wrong.”
They moved through the main room and Adele caught sight of her father. He stood with that woman as well as two men.
“Are they supposed to be my half-brothers?” Adele asked.
Enzo glanced at her, then toward Hank. “Yes.”
“Are they assholes?”
“Yes.”
“Doesn’t he have a daughter as well?”
“He does, but she rarely attends these functions. She is … a spoiled brat.”
“Right.” Adele tapped her fingers against the side of her dress. Was it wrong that she wanted to slap that woman and punch the men in the balls?
She had never considered herself a violent person, but in the last few days, her world had changed. It wasn’t because of them, she knew that, but because of that man.
“I’ve got to go to the bathroom,” Adele said, pulling out of Enzo’s hold.
She didn’t wait for further instruction and instead made her way out of the main hall. It had been a long time since she last had a panic attack, and as she made her way to the bathroom, she rubbed at her chest since she still felt a tightening.
Even though she wanted to honor her mother, there was still a little fear that she was going to mess this up, and that was the last thing she wanted to do.
Entering the bathroom, there were a couple of women who shyly smiled toward her. She saw they were covering up a couple of bruises and she couldn’t help but enter the main stall, shaking her head. This was crazy.
She sat on the toilet seat and placed her head in her hands.
I can do this.
I don’t know if I can do this.
I want my mommy.
That was a feeling she hadn’t felt in a very long time. Her mother had done everything in her power to help her be strong, to face the world, and be prepared for everything. Right now, she didn’t feel prepared.
The women left the bathroom and it became eerily quiet.