Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 76136 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 381(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76136 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 381(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
“I’m not going to say anything I shouldn’t, but let’s just say, it wasn’t a good fit all the way around.” She smirks, just like her son. “This,” she says, pointing at me, “is the perfect fit.”
I’m about to say something to her when the door opens, and Matthew sticks his head in. “What?” The smile on his face goes away when he sees me trying not to cry. “What in the world? Why are you making my girl cry?” He walks in, or maybe he’s pushed in by Viktor, who comes in.
“What are you doing in here?” he asks, not reading the room. The smile on his face also leaves as soon as he sees the two of us crying. “What is going on? Why is she crying?”
“I am not crying,” I sniffle.
“Nothing,” Zoe says. “I was just trying to tell her, you know, that we’re happy she’s back.”
“And I was thanking her for being open-minded with me, especially since it’s very soon after Helena.” I look at Viktor, who looks over at his son.
“Look, I’d love to sit here and talk about this longer,” Viktor says, “but Matthew senior and Casey are literally having a pissing contest, and I’m just hoping no one whips out a private part.”
“Of course he is.” I lift my arms. “I’m sorry if he makes you feel uncomfortable. I’m the first grandchild.”
“Oh, please,” Viktor says, “we have no excuse for Matthew senior, he just is.”
“Can you give us a minute?” Matthew says to his parents, who nod and walk out of the room.
“You have one minute,” I tell him, “and then I have to go and take care of my grandfather.”
“Are you really okay?” he asks, putting his arms around my waist and bringing me closer to him.
“Yes,” I say, smiling up at him. “I really am okay. What I’m not okay with is the way my grandfather and father treated you. That is not okay.”
“I don’t care as long as you are with me at the end of the day. They can do what they want to me.”
“No.” I shake my head. “This is not okay,” I tell him, and I’m about to tell him more when the door swings open. “Showtime,” I mumble.
matthew
“What is going on in here?” Casey walks into the office. “Why is she crying?” He takes one look at Sofia, then looks at me, glaring.
“Do you want to know why I’m crying?” Sofia asks, her voice tight. “I’ll tell you why.” Her voice goes higher. “Actually, this should be done in front of everyone,” she says, storming out of the room.
“Sofia,” I call, following her out as she makes her way to the kitchen where everyone is either standing or sitting.
“I have an announcement to make,” she states loudly.
“Oh my God, she’s pregnant,” Uncle Matthew says and I just shake my head.
“She is not pregnant,” I say before everyone freaks, “not that I would care.” I look at her and she gives me a not right now look.
“I just want to say thank you to Matthew’s family for being so welcoming to me.” I look over at them, smiling. “And then you have my family.” She glares at her father and her grandfather. “You two.” She points at them. “You have not been so kind or welcoming at all.” Her father says something and she holds up her hand. “Now, I don’t know how you want to hear this, but I want you to listen. He is my choice.” She points at me.
“Thanks, baby,” I say happily, but she whips her head toward me.
“Not now.” I roll my lips, holding up my hands. “He is my choice, and I am his. Which means that I’m going to do life with him. I’m going to move in with him. I’m going to share my life with him. My good days and my bad days. I’m going to have babies with him.” She looks back at Uncle Matthew. “Not now, but eventually. I am doing all of this, and if you don’t respect that, then you don’t respect me, and if you don’t respect me, then I won’t have it in my life.” Hazel gasps. “So you have a choice to make. You can be in my life, and by that, it means you will be nice to him and treat him with the same kindness and respect his family treats me with, or you can be out of my life, which means that come holidays, we aren’t going to be there.”
“Now hold on a minute,” Reed starts, “it’s just that—”
“It’s nothing, Reed,” Hazel hisses at him. “Did you listen to a word that she said?”
“We had no choice. She said she had an announcement to make,” Reed says, earning himself a glare from Hazel. “Fine.” He holds up his hand. “We’ll be respectful.” He looks at her. “Happy?”