Chapter 30
Serenity
We barely had time to stop at our place, change, and get to Victor’s parents’ house on time.
After our detour last night, we made a mad dash in the morning to pick up Summer.
I was torn between having her come—unsure how his mother will treat my daughter—and leaving her at home.
But I’ve left her too many times recently, deciding it’s best for her to come.
So, we agreed to go to his parents as a family unit.
A family unit.
Sitting in the back of his SUV, I wipe my sweaty palms down my knee-length silky dress, but I have to suck it up. Summer sits between us in a powder pink tulle dress. If she notices my anxiety, it will set her on edge, too.
Victor climbs out and comes to my door, opening it for Summer and me.
He looks as handsome as always in his dark gray tux and designer shoes. I don’t even recognize the brand. That’s how out of reach he and his family are to me. I need to remember that instead of thinking things like “family unit.”
He stretches out his hand, and I take it. Even after our nighttime activities, my hand still tingles at the contact. “Are you ready to go inside and meet my mom?”
I chuckle as I wipe my hands on my gown again. Anything that will keep me from turning on my heel with my tail tucked between my legs. “No, not really, but let’s rip it off like a Band-Aid, right?”
“Right.”
He offers his arm, and I clutch it like it’s my lifeline while my other hand holds Summer’s. The building that looms ahead of us looks like a hotel, but I think it’s a house. His childhood home.
The setting sun casts an orange glow over the circular driveway and the fountain that spews water in the center. Wide double doors are propped open, allowing guests to enter at their own leisure.
Victor leans down and whispers in my ear, “I have a dinner planned with my dad tomorrow in case my mother doesn’t behave today.”
My pulse pounds in my ears. His mother’s disapproving frown while Victor was about to marry Harmony pops into my mind. That’s the only time I’ve seen her, and I was hoping I wouldn’t have to again. If she didn’t approve of Harmony, she certainly won’t of me.
“You should’ve started with that, and I would’ve said to ditch tonight.”
He throws his head back and laughs.
“Victor.” A feminine voice interrupts us. I pull away and glance up. Isabella’s jet-black hair is pulled back, just like at our wedding. “Mom is waiting for you.”
I freeze. We haven’t even entered their home yet, and his mother has already summoned us.
“Tell her I’m coming.”
She nods and turns to me. “It’s nice to see you two again.” Then she disappears inside.
Considering I didn’t have a lot of time to speak to her at the wedding, Victor had warned me Isabella wasn’t warm and fuzzy, so I guess that’s about as friendly as she gets.
I shrug. It means Harmony and I will have to work some of our magic on her.
No one can hang out with my sister without cracking a grin.
Before we take a step, I say, “Promise me that if she’s mean to”—I motion down at Summer. Her little ears don’t need to hear it—“we’ll leave.”
He places a hand on each of my arms and meets my gaze. “If she’s mean to either of you, we’re leaving. I promise.”
My heart skips a beat. He has an almost desperate and lost expression that I’m fairly certain has nothing to do with me. What is it about? I reach out to touch his face, and he leans into my hand.
A few people have stopped nearby, watching us. So, I give him a gentle peck on the lips and allow him to lead Summer and me inside. If his mother gives Victor any sort of hard time, I’ll throw it right back at her. Nowhere in the contract did it state I had to be civil with her.
The entry way is packed with guests. Men and women of all ages are dressed elegantly as they mingle. I can’t help but wonder if any of these people have struggled a single day in their life.
As I’m about to scoop up Summer, Victor bends down and says, “Would you like for me to pick you up?”
Something clamps around my heart, threatening to squeeze until it bursts. He remembered seeing me do it when Summer is uncomfortable.
“Yes,” Summer says so softly that the noise around us almost drowns out her word.
A few men stop to say hello, and Victor introduces us, but we don’t linger. I’m not sure if it’s because he doesn’t want to talk to them or he doesn’t want to make us uncomfortable, but I appreciate it.
I inhale deeply. Stop overthinking about these tiny things or else you won’t make it out with your heart still in your possession.
A woman stops talking to a group of people and says hello. Victor greets her in return but keeps going.
“Do you really know everyone here?”
Victor bobs his head. “Most of these people are either shareholders of Barlowe Technology or someone that my father has done business with in the past.”
“I bet these types of events get lonely.”
He grabs my hand with his free one and squeezes. “Not anymore.”
I look up at him and give him a wobbly smile. He flashes me a blinding grin of his own in return.
As I’m about to say something, an unfamiliar voice interrupts us. “Darling, you’re finally here. Please, come with me.”
I glance over and find the woman who didn’t care her husband had a heart attack.
Yeah, Victor told me that tidbit. Her long blonde hair—a shade of blonde that doesn’t exist in nature—is pulled back in some elaborate hairstyle that probably took hours to perfect.
Her red gown makes it so every eye in the room is pulled to her.
But her aging beauty isn’t what grabs my attention.
It’s the disdain and cruelty in her eyes.
I grind my molars. If only I could tell her what I thought of her. But with all eyes on us, I keep my mouth clamped shut.
“Mother, we just arrived. I was about to get us something to eat.”
Mrs. Barlowe rolls her eyes and snaps her fingers. Three servers rush over, all carrying trays with different foods and drinks. I can’t believe a woman like this gave birth to Victor.
He plucks off tiny bits of food from one of the trays and says a quick “thank you” before offering it to Summer. She smiles while giving Mrs. Barlowe the side-eye and eats what looks like crab cakes.
His mother turns around with a flourish, the crystals on her gown glittering from the chandelier light, and Victor sighs. He hands Summer to me and says, “I’ll be back. I won’t put you two through whatever this is.”
I keep my eyes on Victor and his mother. She turns, disappearing out of sight, but Victor pauses and gives me a reassuring smile before following her. I can’t help but selfishly heave out a breath of relief.
Whatever she wants to say won’t be appropriate for Summer’s ears.