Page 93 of Shattered Queens: Veronica
“Your father told me everything,” she tells me. The pain only a mother can endure is visible in her features. “You don’t have to tell me, but I know.” She runs her fingers through my hair as I twirl my strand. “I’m so sorry that you felt you couldn’t come to me. My sweet girl. Know that you can tell me anything you want. Or you don’t have to tell me anything. But I’m here for you, no matter what.” I let go of my hair and wrap my arms around her. I cry and tell her everything. Every detail of what I did for Tony, every manipulation, every pill, every single thing.
“I can’t look at Dad. He must be so ashamed of me.”
“No, the opposite.” She holds me tight. “He thinks you’re strong. Not everyone can leave a situation like yours.”
“I never thought about it that way.”
She looks at the painting above my bed. “That’s what happened to Marisol.” I hear a sniffle, and I can tell she’s crying. “She kept staying with Raul, Camilo’s father. Mari’s father thought that by having them move to Veridian Bay, she would find the strength to leave him. And she almost did, several times, but she just couldn't. Not only because of Camilo, but because Raul convinced her that he would change. When her father died, Raul moved them back to Colombia. Took her away from her friends. We tried to stay in touch. Your father and I managed to convince her to come back. But before she could, she died.”
“That’s why Susana hated you.” Miles's voice comes from the bedroom door.
My mother doesn’t turn. She just runs her fingers through my hair. “I suppose. Your mother would tell me about her best friend. The friend who’d endured hardships. The friend who was always there for her. Marisol saw Susana as a sister. The only time I met Susana was at your mother’s funeral,” she tells him. “Miles, it seems like Veronica needs to get some rest. Why don’t you stay with her?” She doesn’t wait for an answer and stands up. She leaves Miles and me alone. We don’t speak; we just lie in bed. He holds me as if I'm going to run, but I don’t.
My parents’ house is massive. It’s been years since it’s been this full of guests. Having all her children under one roof is my mother’s dream. Dad, however, is ready to have Mom’s attention all to himself. It’s been a couple of days since we arrived. I’ve been avoiding being in the same room as Dad. I know he knows everything, but I just can’t face him. That came to a head this morning when Miles asked me to join him for breakfast downstairs, only to find my father waiting in his place. That sneaky, overbearing asshole. I know he planned this.
My father sits there with a plate of freshly baked scones and coffee. Apparently, baking is his thing as well. “Sit down, Veronica. Please.”
I do as he asks. I sit, fidgeting with my nails.
“You can’t avoid me forever, honey.”
“I know. But I gave it a shot.” I give him a weak smile. I know he knows. God, I can barely look at him.
“I’m sorry I failed you.” His voice trembles. “I’m sorry that son of a bitch hurt you. But what I’m most sorry about is that you thought you couldn’t come to me. My baby girl was hurting, and she couldn’t come to me.” I see the tears stream down his face. I’ve only seen my dad like this when it comes to Mom’s health. Then again, I chose not to tell him anything.
“Oh, Daddy. You didn’t fail. I just couldn’t bring myself to talk about it. Then, when Mom got sick, I was just so scared.” I hug him tightly. “But I’m in a better place. I’m stronger. I’m not as afraid as I was.”
“You remind me of your mother, you know.” He looks at me, and I stare into his blue eyes. They’re the same as mine. “Your grandfather was cruel, even more so with your mother. The things he put her through…but she survived. You are your mother's daughter.”
I know my mom went through some things when she was younger, but I never knew the details. I think it’s time I did.
“Dad, I need to tell you something.” I look at his hand that’s holding mine. “I killed Susana.”
“Miles told us. How do you feel?”
“I don’t feel anything. It actually…it actually felt good. It’s like all the rage and chaos in my head was silenced. It just felt…it felt right,” I admit, because it did. The control over someone’s mortality is a different kind of high.
He smiles, taking a deep breath as he looks at me. “You are a Kayde,” he says, his voice steady. “And like I told you, you are your mother’s daughter.”
We embrace; the tension finally breaks as we talk through everything that happened in Colombia with Susana.
“Do you love Miles?” he asks suddenly.
“Yes, I do.”
“Okay. But you tell me when you stop. That will be the day I kill him.”
I can’t tell if he’s joking or not. “I don’t think that day will come, Dad.”
“I’ll still hope,” he mumbles.
Veronica
Chapter 42
I head into theoffice to discuss when construction will resume and to talk with the other volunteers about some upcoming events. Lana and I have lunch and talk about life. It’s been easy to talk to her, although I’m still cautious about opening up to others. She admits to having a crush on Andrew, who is much older than her. But I see it. They would be good together. He’s a nurturer, and she needs someone to take care of her. I check my phone. It was on silent. I see there are multiple missed calls from an unknown number, but I ignore them. My phone rings, and I decide to answer it.
“Hello,” I answer, but there’s no response. I’m about to hang up when I hear a frantic voice.
