Momma Knows Best Tangled Novels & Stories

I hissed and picked up a fork, ate the Spaghetti. Terrence only shook his head in surprise, but he still smiled in knots. I ate the Spaghetti in silence and in upset that mom was defending Terrence. A second later Mom said that she had to pick up Angel who had only entered kindergarten. Mom says that Tamara and Gustov are on business and they tell her to pick up Angel. One message that was so upsetting was, Mom told me to stay near Terrence. Because Mom assumed that I would stay safe near Terrence. Oh Mom, I actually feel so small near Terrence!

I was being bold tonight. There was a silence for a bit while I got on the interstate. There was a tension to it, but it wasn't awkward or unpleasant. More like a pleasant anticipation. Eventually Mom spoke up. "August...who is Tara?" I barely avoided laughing out loud. Only Julia knew about Tara.She'd probably ratted me out accidentally. And was that jealousy I heard in Mom's voice? I was starting to feel a bit more confident. "Oh? She's a girl I've been seeing. Nothing too serious. We get along pretty well, and she's cute."

Are you⁠ comin​g​ tom⁠orro​w? Her f‍in‍gers tremb​led. There can’t be f⁠eeling‌s. I‌’m married. I do⁠n’t need t‍o ask y‍ou not to tell a​nyo⁠ne, do I?​ Jessica responded T⁠en minutes passed⁠. No re⁠s‌ponse⁠. Anxie‌ty cra‍wled‍ up her spine.​ She checked the m‌essage—re‌ad⁠.

He looks fucking incredible. And I feel like shit. Mom walks in, hair curled and pinned, wearing pearls that probably cost more than my soul. “My baby,” she says, eyes welling like this is supposed to be a beautiful moment. “You look so handsome.” I don’t say anything. I can’t. She straightens my tie. “You’re doing the right thing, Carlo. You promised me. No more running. No more chaos.” I think about Blaze—how chaos felt like home. How it smelled like sweat and metal and cinnamon gum on his breath. How it tasted like his mouth on mine, angry and desperate and fucking real.

ELARA’S POV “Mom,” I began, trying to keep my tone calm and collected, even though my heart was racing. “It’s not what you think.” “Oh, is that so?” She raised an eyebrow, her expression making it clear she wasn’t buying a word I was saying. “Yeah,” I forced a smile, but even I didn’t believe it. “Then how do you explain all this?” she shot back, gesturing dramatically toward me. “You in that T-shirt, damp hair, and him standing there with his shirt all disheveled. Oh, and let’s not forget the little kiss I walked in on.”

Mom requested. ****

Her tiny hands were everywhere-grabbing at his cheeks, poking at his nose, tracing the shape of his face with unfiltered curiosity. "Mommy," she whispered, as if still making sure it was real, her voice filled with quiet awe. Ashwin swallowed hard, his throat thick with emotion. "Yeah, sweetheart," he murmured. "Mommy's here." Imara beamed, throwing her arms around his neck again, as if she never wanted to let go. A moment later, Ishaan returned, stepping back into the room. He stopped. And stared. At Ashwin. At Imara curled into his arms. At Koa and Kai sitting at the edge of Ashwin's tail, chatting away about how they'd tell everyone their mommy was a snake.

Anything to push the message out of her head. But even as the water ran hot over her skin, her thoughts spiraled. Don’t make me come find you. Her mother was capable of it. She always had been. A master of dramatic entrances, showing up at school unannounced, barging into her apartment without warning, inserting herself into every crack of Lily’s life.

Step by step, I led him into the hidden chamber and let go of him right in front of Tiffany. The moment Sean laid eyes on her, his expression turned predatory. He lunged at her like a starving animal, pinning her to the ground. Watching the two of them grapple and writhe, I could not help but feel a twisted sense of satisfaction. Suddenly, I heard slow, deliberate footsteps behind me. I turned around, smiling, and saw Mom. Her long hair hung loose, trailing on the floor like something out of a horror movie. "Mom, you're here," I said calmly.

"All that black and those sunglasses—are you trying to audition for a Bond villain?" His lips twitched, almost a smile. Almost. "Less talking, Mrs. Creek." The car lurched forward, taking off behind Aidan's Tesla. Mrs. Creek?" I echoed, blinking. The name sounded so foreign, so wrong. I sighed, leaning back in my seat. The fight had been sucked out of me, leaving only the hollow ache of exhaustion. Memories of my parents flickered through my mind unbidden. If they were still alive, none of this would be happening.