Jaxon raises an eyebrow. “Yeah? Those green streaks in your hair are just because you felt like it? After you got on her ass about dyeing her hair, you immediately went to the salon. What about the time she painted a scenery piece? You decided to take up painting and rub your abilities in Dahlia’s face, saying how much better you are.”
He’s noticed all of that? I mean, I know he knows everything, but down to the little details?
Mom sputters, grasping for something to say.
Jaxon adjusts his hips, getting more comfortable in his seat. He looks back at his phone as he says, “So now that Dahlia is seeing someone, I’m sure you’ll try to fuck him and rub it in her face about how you’re a better lay.” He smirks. “I promise you’ll be like the equivalent of fucking a fish. He won’t be interested in you. He’ll also more than likely tell your husband all about your infidelity.”
It’s so quiet that I can hear the wind blow through the trees beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows behind the couch.
“If that’s what you think of me, then I’m sorry you feel that way.” Mom glares at me. “We’re leaving early in the morning on Thursday. Pack light.” She storms out of the room, and the moment she’s gone, I let out a shaky breath. The bedroom door slams shut.
I stare straight ahead, absorbing everything that happened.
This whole time, I thought she hated me just because. But she sees me as competition? I don’t believe that. There’s no way...
“I meant what I said,” Jaxon murmurs. He stuffs his phone into his pocket.
“Which part?” I say.
His lips curve into a dangerous smile that sends a shiver down my spine. “All of it.”
Istick around the house for a little longer, keeping an eye on Dahlia and ensuring her mother doesn’t try anything. She said something to Dahlia that made her cry before I walked into the room. The image of her crumpled face, sagging shoulders, and tears shimmering in her brown eyes will haunt me for a long time. No one who makes Dahlia cry can live.
I want to beat Evelyn’s face in with a soldering iron. If she doesn’t die from that, I’ll finish the job by cutting out her tongue and watching her suffocate on her blood. She’s talked long enough, and it’s time the bitch shuts up and chokes on her words.
My father will not be happy about it, but his disappointment won’t last for long since he’s next. Our parents are standing in the way. Dahlia and I can’t truly be together as long as they’re still in the picture. But that’s okay. I already have a few aces up my sleeve to ensure she’s completely mine and that no one stops us from being together.
When Evelyn doesn’t come out of her bedroom—beingthe drama queen she is—I slip out of the house and ride into town. I can’t wait to see Dahlia wearing the gifts I had someone make for her.
I park outside the small shop that’s overlooked far too often. It’s an eccentric jewelry store that stands out from the rest of the shops in town. Maybe the way they make things deters most people, but since they haven’t permanently closed, they’re getting enough customers to stay afloat.
The chimes tinkle above me as I walk into the store. Tiffany pops her head up, and she brightens when she recognizes me.
“It’s good to see you again!” she says as she grabs a black bag from the holding case and waves me over.
I cross the room and stand on the other side of the glass case. She pulls jewelry boxes from the black bag with the shop’s logo on it.
“This has been so much fun to make,” Tiffany says as she opens the smaller box with the diamond ring tucked between the cushions.
It’s larger than I thought it would be, and I can’t complain.
“She’s going to love it,” Tiffany says with a giggle. With two fingers, she pushes her glasses further up her nose. “It’s perfect to show your devotion, and if she’s a jewelry gal, I’m sure she’ll appreciate the size.”
I tilt my head as I gaze at the ring, picturing it on Dahlia’s left hand. “The earrings?”
Tiffany sets the ring box aside and opens another, revealing diamond earrings about the same size as the ring. I imagine my sister wearing this jewelry for me and how she’ll always carry a part of me with her, no matter how far apart we are.
“Perfect?” Tiffany nervously smiles.
“Yeah.She’ll love them.”
She perks at the praise and grabs the bigger necklace box. I picked out the thin silver chain to signify how delicate Dahlia can be. Clusters of smaller diamonds cradle the larger one that forms a skull. Hearts and other shit aren’t her style.
After I’ve approved everything, she wraps the boxes in tissue paper, puts them inside the black bag, and says I’m all good since I paid when I placed the order.
I leave and stuff the bag under the seat of my Yamaha motorcycle.
I have a few more errands to run before I head back home to check on Dahlia. The Reckoning is quickly approaching, and I need things perfect before then.
