Fifty Shades Darker (book 5) novel Chapter 168

Mom’s eyes are piercing. “Tell me. How old were you when this all started?” she says through clenched teeth. It’s the voice that I’ve only heard on rare occasions, and I know I’m doomed. She will not stop until she has an answer.

“Sixteen,” I whisper.

She narrows her eyes and cocks her head to one side.

“Try again.” Her voice is chillingly quiet.

Hell. How does she know?

“Christian,” she warns, prompting me.

“Fifteen.”

She closes her eyes like I’ve stabbed her, her hand flying to her mouth as she stifles a sob. When she opens them, they’re filled with pain and unshed tears.

“Mom…” I try to think of something to say to take that pain away. I step toward her and she holds up her hand to stop me.

“Christian. I am so mad at you right now. I suggest you don’t come any closer.”

“How did you know? That I lied,” I ask.

“For heaven’s sake, Christian—I’m your mother,” she snaps and dashes a fallen tear from her cheek.

I feel myself blushing, feeling stupid and slightly piqued at the same time. Only my mom can make me feel this way. My mom. And Ana.

I thought I was a better liar.

“Yes, you should look shamefaced. How long did this go on for? How long did you lie to us, Christian?”

I shrug. I don’t want her to know.

“Tell me!” she insists.

“A few years.”

“Years! Years!” she shouts, making me cringe. She so rarely shouts.

“I can’t believe it. That fucking woman.”

I gasp. I have never heard Grace swear. Ever. It shocks me.

She turns and paces to the window. I stay standing. Paralyzed. Speechless.

Mom just cursed.

“And to think, all the times she’s been here…” Grace groans and puts her head in her hands. I cannot stand by any longer. I step toward her and wrap my arms around her. This is so new to me, holding my mom. I pull her to my chest, and she starts to weep quietly.

“I’ve already thought you dead this week, and now this,” she sobs.

“Mom—it’s not what you think.”

“Don’t even try it, Christian. I heard you, I heard what you said. That she taught you to fuck.”

She’s said it again!