Chapter 58

Ryker’s words rang through my head and the first thing I did was go to my mother’s office. I didn’t knock, I just pulled the door open and walked in. I saw her raise a brow at me but she didn’t say anything and instead closed the document she was working on and looked up at me.

I shut the door behind us and took a seat in front of her. She stayed quiet as she peered up at me through her thick lashes and the intensity of her gaze had me squirming. Sometimes it is almost terrifying looking at my mother because it feels like looking in a mirror. She doesn’t look her age at all; in fact, she can pass for an older version of me sometimes

“Is there a reason you barged into my office, Camilla?” she asked with humor lacing her tone. “Or did you simply miss my presence so much that you felt the need to reenact one of Audrey’s scenes? I hate to inform you that it won’t have quite the same reaction considering there is no one here and everyone already knows of your existence.”

I rolled my eyes, “I’m honestly debating whether or not the question is worth it at this point.”

“You’re already here,” she leaned back in her seat. “You might as well get the answers that you came for. Don’t you think so?”

7

I realized that she was right but judging by the amused look in her eye, I knew she wasn’t going to make this easy for me. I can count on one hand the number of times I have come to my mother for advice. It isn’t that she doesn’t give good advice- quitet he contrary actually. She gives the best advice but before she does so, she will draw out the conversation and make you feel st upid.

The first time I came to her was when I found out I was pregnant for Audrey. I asked her whether I should go back to Ryker and she laughed in my face for a full minute then proceeded to tell me that if my pride was as weak as my decision making skills then she would give me her express permission to go back and be his mistress.

I didn’t go back again after that. There is only so much ridicule a person can take at the hands of s again, seated in her office and looking to her for advice.

someone else but here I am

“Did my father ever cheat on you?” I asked and her smile fell. “I know you don’t talk about him much but I wanted to know.”

My question seemed to have rocked her because for once she didn’t look like the formidable queen I knew her to be. I have asked her about my father before but she promptly shut down the conversation and told me that she would never entertain questions about him. I knew I was risking a lot by asking but I needed the answers.

“You say cheat so easily, as if it is a onetime thing.” She began finally, “If you ask him, he would say he didn’t and honestly L would agree. To cheat there would have to be a relationship and what we had was anything but. It was an alliance formed out of duty and desperation and nothing more.”

Translation: He did- many times.

“Ryker told me something today,” I began and her lips curled up cruelly.

“Are you letting him into your head again?” she asked, “Honestly Camilla, I thought you were smarter than this. You are more than welcome to play around with your own life but have you once considered that Audrey might be affected by all of this? Do you really want to get her attached and then-,”

“Do not talk about my daughter,” I cut her off. “Everything that I have done, I have done for her. I don’t need advice from a woman who had her child kidnapped right under her nose. I came here to ask a simple question and if all you will do is make me feel like shi t over it then I will take my questions and leave. Don’t mistake my silence for acceptance mother. I am not one of your subjects that you will oppress without a struggle.”

My mother was shocked that I had spoken back to her.copy right hot novel pub