“How could it be your fault? She’s the one who’s petty and can’t tolerate others. She’s the one in the wrong.”
Ryan put his hand on Chloe’s shoulder in an intimate gesture. “Aria Young, I can overlook you hitting someone this time for Chloe’s sake. But you must kneel down and apologize to her.”
Their shameless act made me laugh in anger.
“Apologize to her? Keep dreaming!”
My ride had just arrived.
I slammed the car door and left without a backward glance.
Living in a hotel for the next few days, away from those toxic people and situations, I felt very at ease.
But then Mom sent me a text message.
“Aria, it’s my birthday today. Come home for a bit. I wasn’t going to let you come, but Chloe begged me to invite you. Remember to thank her when you see her.”
Of course I hadn’t forgotten her birthday.
But I would no longer be like before, starting preparations a week in advance to organize the venue and gifts, determined to give her a pleasant birthday celebration.
Of course, I wouldn’t be going back either.
That place was no longer my home, and she was no longer my mother.
Around noon, I was enjoying a nice meal.
Probably because she hadn’t seen me show up, Mom impatiently sent another text: “Why aren’t you here yet? Even Ryan has arrived. What kind of daughter are you, not showing up for your mother’s birthday?”
“I’m not blaming you for not preparing a birthday party for me this year. Are you still upset about that slap?”
“Can’t you learn to be kind and forgiving like Chloe?”
I read it with a cold laugh.
What kind of birth mother would say such things?
It was ruining my appetite.
I promptly blocked her number.
My phone had barely been quiet for a moment when Ryan called.
“Where are you? Stop being difficult and hurry over. Otherwise people will think your mom and Chloe did something to make you skip your own mother’s birthday party.”
I replied flatly: “We’ve broken up. It wouldn’t be appropriate for me to go.”
