2

Chapter Two

Arlyn.

My phone rang just as the driver my mother had sent to pick me up pulled up into the driveway of a mansion.

“Hey, Mom.” I answered the call, my eyes wide as I assessed the building. “I am literally in front of the house, and can I just say…what the fuck? Did you marry Jesus?”

My mom laughed; her sweet, sultry voice came through the phone, and I couldn't help but smile. “I'm glad you are here, love!”

“Thanks, Mom. I'm glad I'm here too.” I said, stepping out of the car, still in awe of the place.

The mansion was huge.

Bigger than anything I had ever seen before.

Dad wasn't poor by any means. He was comfortable and made sure we all were, but even his freak house wasn't as bad.

This…this was insane.

The front door burst open just then, and the most beautiful woman on the planet, aka my mother, came rushing out.

Even the way she rushed out was elegant and princess-like.

Behind her was a tall older man. Her husband, I presumed.

I had only seen his picture, but he was absolutely handsome. Annoyingly so.

I ran up to them and hugged my mom. I hadn't seen her in years.

“Merry Christmas, my love. This is my husband, Senator Bradley Bradenton.”

Interesting name.

“Ah, nice to meet you.” I extended my hands for a handshake. He took it firmly. “So, you're the man that stole my mom from my dad.”

Silence

Awkward silence.

I burst out laughing. The look on their faces was priceless.

“That was a joke.”

“Oh. I see she gets your sense of humor.” Senator Bradley said, glancing at my mother with a soft smile. He was definitely in love with her. Well, at least one of us was happy.

My mom rolled her eyes and playfully smacked her husband.

My stomach twisted. This used to be Liam.

“I'm happy to have you, Arlyn. Merry Christmas. You changed your hair.”

She smiled, clearly approving the look.

It was finally like hers, if hers was natural.

“You like it?”

“Love it. You look like a goddess.”

I smiled. That meant a lot from the most beautiful woman I had ever met. I had decided to change my hair after the encounter with that handsome stranger at the airport that I had shamelessly bitten.

I wonder again at the thought.

What was I even thinking?

“Thank you, Mom… I thought it was time for a change.”

“Good call,” she smiled.

“By the way, I got both of you wedding presents, but they're in the car…”

“Oh, thank you, sweety; Dalton will bring it up.”

I had no idea who he was, but I assumed he was some kind of help.

The interior of the house was even more impressive than I could ever imagine.

Everything was elegant and strategic, just like my mother.

White sofas, golden embroidery.

Chocolate brown curtains.

Christmas decorations that were a little too fancy for my liking.

Chandeliers in a ceiling way too high to not house giants.

I felt a bit out of place.

“God, your place is incredible. You must be rich, huh?”

Bradley laughed. “You could say that.”

“Bradley’s kids will be here soon. His niece and nephew will be spending Christmas with us too.”

“Ouu, fun.” I clapped. More company. Exactly what I needed to distract me from the rawness of my chest.

“Yes, very fun… “Um, where is your boyfriend?” my mom asked.

My stomach tightened along with my chest. This was the part I dreaded the most.

“Um…he's not coming.”

“Why not?”

“We broke up.” Her eyes narrowed.

“What did you do?”

She asked in a warning voice.

Jeez. Why was I to blame?

“Nothing. I did nothing. Why did you think it was me?* I asked, a little offended.

“I know what you think about men after your father and I ended.”

“Oh brother. Not this again. I have no issues with men, Mom.”

It was true. I was a bit of a raging misandrist sometimes, but the difference was that it wasn't because of the situation with my mom and dad. I've always just been a little unlucky with love…and friendship with men.

“Really? Is that why at 20 you've never had a boyfriend?’

“I had a boyfriend. We broke up.”

“Why?’ She asked as she folded her hands across her chest.

“I'm not going to answer that. Anyway, when will the entire family be here?” I asked, trying to change the subject.

My mom gave me a look and then sighed.

“They'll be here soon. They were snowed in for a bit, but don't worry…they can't wait to meet you either.”

Ordinarily, I wasn't a fan of meeting too many new people, but after Liam, I needed all the distractions I could get.

Mom took me up to my room minutes later, where my boxes were already arranged.

“You should rest. I can't wait to introduce you to the rest of the family.”

“Yeah. I guess I can't wait either. Oh, and congrats on bagging a wealthy senator.”

She rolled her eyes. “Stop saying that!”

“What? A daughter isn't allowed to be proud of her mother's choices in men?”

“Not when you put it like that. I actually love Brad.”

“Like you loved Dad?”

I raised a brow at her.

“Don't do this, Arly.’

“It's a joke, Mom. Learn to take one.”

She sighed.

Minutes later she left, leaving me alone with a room too big for one person and conflicting feelings.

The first thing I did was go to the balcony.

I pulled the double doors open and let in the fresh cold air of Christmas.

I was there for barely five minutes when I heard my name downstairs.

I sighed.

What do they want this time?

“Arly!” My mom's voice came again.

So much for resting.

“Coming!” I yelled.

I made my way downstairs and found Mom and her new husband at the door.

“Yes, Mom?”

I said, walking towards her.

“They are here?!” She exclaimed, moving out of the way.

I froze when my eyes landed on a familiar figure.

The handsome stranger at the airport.

His eyes locked on mine, and a sudden dread washed over me.

“Honey, come on.” Mom waved me over.

“This is Ella, and Reid is your stepbrother and stepcousin,” my mom said, a big smile on her face.

“And, Reid, Ella. This is your stepsister.”

Reid didn't speak, just stared at me, his eyes cold as a glacier.