The Carrero Effect - Falling for the Boss (Billionaire CEO) novel Chapter 36

“Emma! My little girl.” She releases Sophie’s hand and reaches out to me, her other one bound in a cast and strapped to her chest. I hesitate, straighten my tailored pants, and blouse and walk toward her dutifully, bracing myself so that I stay calm and in control.

“Mother.” I take her hand; it’s cold and smooth but feels like skin and bone and it angers me. She’s obviously not eating properly again, so caught up in another affair of the heart, bogged down with infatuation. She was always good at ignoring her own basic needs when wrapped up in another unhealthy relationship.

“It’s so good to see you … You came home to Chicago for me!” her voice is soft and injured causing the reaction to catch in my throat. Guilt, tears, anger, a chaos of emotions, and I can’t look at her in the face, already uncomfortable holding her hand. I glare out the side window over the buildings in Chicago and the dull weather outside, trying to remain impassive. Trying to steel against all that she makes me feel. I want her to cut the crap with the over sentimental greeting, it’s obviously purely for Sophie’s benefit.

“What have you told the police?” I smart. I don’t want to do this tear-jerking deep conversation crap with her. I just want to make sure she’s okay, that she’s healing, then I want to get the hell out of this place. As soon as earthly possible.

“Emma, please? You know it’s never that straightforward,” she whines, and I bristle and drop her hand coldly. My face snapping around to lock eyes with her in impulsive rage. Same old familiar conversation.

“You’re kidding me, right?” I snort in disbelief, spinning my body around to match my glare.

“You have no idea, Emma, you don’t know what happened.” Her voice seems suddenly stronger, losing all ounce of vulnerability now that I’m peeking anger at her.

“I don’t need to, it never changes. Who was it this time? Another five-minute romance or is this someone longer term? How often has this one hit you huh?” I snap; my temper getting the better of me and Sophie moves off to sit in the corner. She looks uncomfortable and wide-eyed and it makes me all the more guilty. She doesn’t need to see all this.

“That is none of your concern! This is my life and affects only me!” My mother snaps back at me, yanking her hand back to her chest in anger. Not so frail now.

“Don’t you fucking dare! What about Sophie? … What about justice? What about me? It affects all of us!” The tears blind me, and I start losing it. Bubbling up inside. I storm away, wrapping my arms around myself and glare out of the window to pull it all back in. Cool down, be still.

“I shouldn’t have started a fight, Emma … This was as much my fault.” The same pathetic cringey voice, the same pathetic excuses as she drops the attitude and goes on in full blown victim mode. There will be tears soon.

I can’t do this, not again; coming back was a mistake and this is just a sad repeat of a dozen conversations. I can’t hold it in, hold my anger or the heart break. My mother is once again ripping out my very soul and throwing it to the wolves. She hasn’t changed at all and this could be sixteen years ago all over again.

“This was a mistake … I can’t be here. I was stupid to think this one might have knocked some actual sense into you. I’m taking Sophie to New York with me, away from this bullshit existence that you inflicted on me … Don’t even begin to argue.” I swing back around at her, my eyes pouring pitifully; she looks shocked at my obvious distress. She has never seen me cry, not since I was a very small child. “You’ve no idea the chaos that you cause … “This …” I gesture across her body and injuries. “Is only the tip of the iceberg, Mother! I won’t let you subject Sophie to more of the same crap.” I can’t say anything more, my voice breaking, the tears taking over. I just shake my head aggressively and walk out fast. Unable to say anything else or keep myself in check and not staying to have her argue or try to bully me into changing my mind. I won’t keep being her doormat.

I already agreed to let Sophie stay this morning and get a bus home later, giving her extra money so. I don’t have to stay and endure this. I have no reason to stand another second and blindly storm out heading straight for the main exit while internally ranting.

I march across the wet car park, my coat in my hands, shaking and sobbing. The driver that Jake hired standing dutifully to open my door as I approach, and I get in. I can’t contain everything going on inside my head.

I was stupid to come here! I was a fool to think I could handle this. She will never change. She will never see that she’s the one who brings this on. She chooses these men, then makes goddamn excuses for what they do.

It only makes me more determined to take Sophie with me when I leave. I decide it’ll be sooner rather than later as I can’t stay here much longer; she won’t talk to the police, even I know that. She will make Sophie lie to them for her too, like she used to make me.