Confrontation

CHAPTER 11

ZYLIAH'S POV

The twin looks of shock and disbelief on mother and daughter's face almost had my mouth twitching for a laugh, but I wouldn't say I was surprised to see them either.

"Babies, come." I drew my boys closer.

Sabrina's lips curled up at one corner as she eyed my boys. "So you're a mother."

"So you're pregnant." The exact same condescending, unimpressed tone she'd used dripped from my words.

I wasn't going to let her start her nonsense with me again, especially not in front of my kids.

"Yes, she is. She's pregnant by her husband. The one she married." Her mother, Victoria, lifted Sabrina's left hand to show off the wedding ring nestled on her finger.

A scoff erupted. "Oh, you mean the husband she stole because she couldn't accept that someone-me, by the way-had everything going for her?" Another scoff, followed by an eye roll.

Sabrina's expression twisted with anger. "Do you still have nightmares about that day in Fynn's room where..."

"I'm going to stop you right there." I cut her off.

She let out a dry, mocking laugh. "Why? Still affected?"

"Oh, you wish," I said, keeping my voice calm. "I'm a mother who knows dignity and class, not some crass being who clawed her way into wealth and the elite society through marriage. I don't expect you to understand there are things you don't say in front of children."

I gave her a once-over, my gaze stopping on her bump. "I pity the poor child coming into this world through you. If only they knew what they were getting."

"How dare you, wench?!" she snapped, face burning with rage.

"Don't call my mommy names," Casper scolded, wagging his little index finger at Sabrina in warning.

Waylen stepped forward as if to protect me. "You're such a mean lady. You too!" he added, narrowing his gaze at both Sabrina and her mother.

"It's okay, babies. Let's go get your ice cream cake." I gently pulled my boys back, holding their wrists, ready to walk them away from this mess.

My pride and love for them swelled until I thought I might burst. I'd always been proud of how clever they were and how they looked out for each other-but this?

This made me want to kiss the daylights out of their handsome little faces.

"You're just upset you didn't get him." Sabrina didn't look like she was done. From her stance, it was clear she had no intention of letting me have the final say.

"Get who? Fynn?" A short, cynical laugh escaped me. "I feel so much pity for my old self. How I ever loved someone like that will always be beyond me. Girl, you're free to have him. I don't need him. You married him-you get to keep him forever, pregnant bunny. I'm good with my children." I winked and turned to go.

Victoria gave me a light shove. "Why did you come back?"

"Why did you push me?" My eyes blazed with anger, my lips pressed into a tight, furious line.

She'd nearly knocked me into my boys, almost making me fall right on top of them

"Don't answer my question with a question. I don't care if your bastar..."

I walked past them to where the limo was. It was unlocked. I was boiling so hard it was difficult to control.

My sons? Bastards? Had she just tried to call my babies bastards? And to their faces?

"Mommy, where are you going?" Casper asked when he saw I had them buckled into the seat.

I made a mental note for Delia to get us a normal car I could drive around in-at least until I settled in or had one of my own cars sent down here.

"I'm coming, baby. You guys stay in the limo, alright? I'll be right back," I said, closing the car door.

"Uh-oh, Mommy is angry," Waylen muttered to his brother just before I shut the door.

Sabrina and her mom were already gossiping, walking deeper into the hospital. Victoria glanced over her shoulder, spotted me, and whispered something to Sabrina. They both stopped.

Good for me because I had something to tell them.

"The bitch is back."

"Oh yes, this bitch is back, Sabrina, and if you have any sense left in that shameless head of yours, you'll know not to cross me." My tone was pretty intense but very clear.

"And as for you, Victoria, thank your lucky stars I've walked off some of that anger, because the next time you call my boys names, I'll knock your teeth out. Do or say whatever you want to me, but not to my boys. And just for the record, I'm glad you're not my mother, because I'd be ashamed to claim you. Fuck you, and you, Sabrina!"

A hand went across my cheek before I saw it coming.

It was Victoria-her eyes blazing with fury. "Are you mad?! Who do you think you are to..."

Her words were swallowed by my own retaliation. The way she cradled her face in stunned disbelief satisfied me to no end.

I am not your daughter. I'm not Sabrina-you don't get to tell me what to do or how to speak. Don't make me remember six years ago. Don't make me remember the hell I went through under your so-called care as my supposed stepmother!" I spat out that last word like it was poison on my tongue.

"Zyliah, you bitch!" She raised her hand.

"If I were you, Sabrina, I'd put that hand down." I turned to face a flustered, pissed-off looking Sabrina. "Because I have half a mind to forget you're pregnant and hit you so hard they'll be wheeling you in for miscarriage or preterm labor."

I saw a flicker of fear as she quickly lowered her hand. Rage and humiliation masked her face. "Go back to wherever you came from. You're not needed!"

By now, people were watching the scene unfold, but no one stepped in.

"Is that whining I hear, Sabrina? You sound like an entitled teenager who throws a tantrum when she doesn't get her way. I am needed, just not by you or your sorry excuse for a mother. And this is Greenvylle, honey. You don't own it. No one tells me where I am needed."

"You slapped me?!"

With a taunt in my voice, I turned to Victoria. "You're still crying? Good. Maybe that'll teach you never to raise your hand to my face again. You've always hit me in the past, even as a little girl. But that reign of terror is over. Warn yourself, Victoria. And hold your daughter in check..." I stepped closer to drive my point home, and both women shifted back, clearly rattled. That was fine by me.

It was time they feared me.

"... because Zyliah Jasmine Davis is not the same girl from six years ago."

I gave them a cold, haughty stare, flipped my hair, and turned on my heels-leaving them standing like twin statues who'd just seen a ghost.