Chapter 191

ROSE"The fact that I came here doesn't give you the right to lay your hands on me. I want to come and dance, not have someone grabbing at me while you think I'm joking. The reason I'm letting this go is that your hand didn't actually cross my face — if it had, I would have forgotten the fact that you're my mom and treated you the way you seem to want to be treated," I half-yell.I've had enough, and there is no way I am going to tolerate her treating me however she pleases. She cannot deny knowing that Maria is lying — of course she knows the whole truth, but she refuses to do the right thing because I am always the one who gets cheated, every single time. It's unfortunate, but I am not going to tolerate it this time. Thankfully, I manage to stop her hand before it crosses my face, because if it had, I would have returned the slap. She can do whatever she feels she can.Coming here isn't even my intention. The fact that she is the one who goes to report to my aunt that I had refused

Chapter 192

ROSEMom stares sheepishly at Marie, nodding along with every word she says.I know there is no way she is going to take my side, but that is fine — I am not begging for it anyway."Yes, your sister is right. You're only acting this way towards me because you hate me. I see no reason for you to be angry at me for correcting you each time you get on your sister's nerves. It's normal for parents to correct their children, but every time I do it with you, you assume I don't like you and take it out on me. That's not fair, and you know it." There it is — they are heaping the blame on me again, as usual. This time, I am not accepting it."Fine, I hate you — so what? I'm not the first child to feel that way about a parent, and I won't be the last. I'm not hiding it, and you know that very well. You don't like me, and I don't like you. I'm not even supposed to be here — the only reason I show up is because Aunt keeps pushing me. Now that your favorite daughter is back, I'm clearly not needed

Chapter 193

ROSEI drive straight to the mall after leaving my parents' place. I need to pick up a few groceries since I am running low.I walk toward the entrance, doing my best to ignore the unsettling feeling creeping up on me — someone is watching me. Not a guess, not paranoia, but a certainty I feel in my skin. A pair of eyes tracks my every step. The weight of the gaze is so heavy I feel like I might stumble if it continues.Not wanting any trouble, I turn and walk back to my car. The eyes follow. Whoever it is probably thinks I am about to leave — but I don't. I get into the car, slip a gun into the pocket of my baggy jeans, step back out, and continue walking.I enter the mall. The eyes are still with me. I grab a cart and begin picking up what I need, keeping my movements casual. There is no way I am letting some piece of trash lurking in the shadows chase me off. If they want a confrontation, they can step up and have one — instead of skulking around.I continue filling the cart, acting

Chapter 194

ROSEFor a moment he can't find his voice. He just stands there, mouth open, staring at me. Of course he is shocked — he never expects me to be armed. He probably thinks he can walk up to my window, do whatever he likes, and stroll away clean. That plan clearly isn't going the way he imagines.If he lowers his hand any further, I will shoot his arm without a second thought."What the hell do you think you're doing? Lower your gun!" he barks."You know I can shoot you right now and face zero consequences, right? So I suggest you keep your voice down, because raising it at me is exactly the kind of thing that makes my finger twitch. You already know I'm not an easy target — that's why you tell your people to hang back and come at me alone. Too bad I'm not the pushover you're hoping for. Here's what's going to happen: I'm letting you go today. Consider it a free pass. But if you ever walk up to me again and try something, I will put you down without hesitation. Take that as a promise — n

Chapter 195

ROSE I drop the bags on the floor and dig into my pocket for my keys.I find them, only to realize the door isn't locked. I turn the knob and it opens.My eyes widen immediately. Someone gets in without my permission.I leave the shopping bags on the floor without a second thought and step inside.I move through the sitting room, scanning it carefully.No one is there, so I head toward the stairs. I am halfway up when I hear a sound behind me.I turn to find Arabella standing there.Without a word, I turn back, go outside, and pick up what I leave at the door.She notices I have nothing to say, so she follows me out quietly.I pick up two of the bags. Before I can reach for the rest, she bends down and takes them.Still, I say nothing. I push the door open and carry my bags inside.She follows me into the kitchen. I set my bags down; she sets hers down beside them."Mom, I know you're angry at me, but can you please say something? The silence is killing me. I know what I do is wrong,

Chapter 196

ROSEMerely looking at Arabella's collarbone makes me more and more angry. She has lost so much weight that her collarbone could hold water.It takes a lot for me to even sit and listen to her; the fact that Conrald left her to suffer is what angers me the most.The so-called lady whom Arabella refers to as Conrald's sister is his fling—the same one he said has been throwing herself at him.I remember the last time I saw her. I followed Dante to LA to get Logan out. I never thought she would be so stupid as to follow Conrald all the way to Chicago; she even has the guts to treat Arabella like trash.I guess it is my fault for underestimating how they are every day. I need to figure something out. The way she looks at me says a whole lot. I also know she likes Conrald because she told me how she has been doing everything, but he never reciprocates her love. So because of that, she chooses to take it all out on Arabella? That is fine, too.As much as I blame the lady, I still blame Arab