Page 54 of Forgotten Prejudice

I took a step back so there would be a bit of distance between us as I gaped at her. I couldn’t believe the things she was saying, let alone agree with them.

“You’re right. I’m nineteen, which means I’m an adult who can do whatever he wants and date whoever he likes.”

Her stare hardened. “Not under my roof, you can’t.”

I had no idea what bug got into her head that made her so irrational, but it didn’t matter, not to me anyway. If she was too blind to see how much Soren meant to me, I had no intention of convincing her. And yet, her rejection hurt me. Seeing the disappointment on top of anger twisting behind her eyes was a kick to the gut.

Swallowing hard, I took a deep breath. “Well, it’s a good thing Soren asked me to live with him, then.”

“What?” She gasped and tried reaching for me when I moved away. “Ash! You can’t be serious right now. Don’t you see what he’s doing? Throwing his money at you, pampering you with gifts? He blinds you from seeing things as they are.”

My blood boiled with her accusations, and I wanted to break something. Instead, I clenched my palms into tight fists and kept them close to my sides.

“What am I too blind to see, Mom?”

“He’s manipulating you into being someone you’re not.”

“He’s just showing me a different version of myself, and you’re too hung up on the past to see it. I’m still the same guy I’ve always been, but I’ve matured, because that’s what happens, Mom. You grow up.” When she didn’t speak back, I went on. “He loves me, Mom, and I love him.”

She huffed, shaking her head. “He doesn’t love you, Ash. He loves himself. One lunch with him was enough for me to know that much. That guy… that man, all he cares about is his own damn ego, and it kills me you can’t see it yourself.” She rolled her eyes. “How smug and pretentious he was when he gave you that ridiculous car. And the way he wrapped his arm around you to show ownership? God, what an asshole.”

What was she talking about? Did we attend the same lunch?

Soren loved me. I knew he did. And she had no right to dismiss his way of showing me that. Was he possessive? Yes, but I loved it. I loved giving him the control, even if Mom thought it was unhealthy. It felt good, and for fuck’s sake, I wanted to feel good.

“Just open your eyes and see what a jerk he truly is, Ash—”

“Shut up!” I screamed so loud my throat hurt. “Just shut the fuck up!”

Her eyes shot wide, and she looked genuinely scared. I was scared, too, because I never reacted this way, but she was doing it on purpose. She was pushing me to this point.

“Ash,” she said calmly, reaching for me again. This time, I didn’t push her away, and she placed her hand on my shoulder. “Baby, I’m not trying to hurt you. I’m just worried.”

Tears welled in my eyes as I stood in silence, allowing her to apologize.

“I love you more than anything in this world. You know that, right?”

I nodded because perhaps she was starting to see she was acting crazy, too?

Putting her palm against my cheek, she pulled me close and kissed the side of my head. “I don’t want us to ever fight like this, but you’ve got to understand, Soren is bad for you. He’s not a good guy.”

Furious, I moved away from her embrace and shook my head.

“No.” Every muscle in my body tensed. “He isn’t. And if you can’t see it for yourself, then you have no place in my life.”

Her brows shot to her hairline, and fear flicked in her eyes. “Ash!” she gasped as I began walking away.

“Weren’t you the one who told me not to apologize for love?” I hissed her own words back at her. Funny enough, neither she nor Aiden seemed so eager for me to cut Kai out of my life despite everything that he did to me. But Soren? Whose only crime was loving me?

“It’s not the same, Ash.” She raised her voice. “I understand it’s hard to listen, but just look at your reaction. And moving in with him? He’s pulling you away. First, you quit your job at Rob’s.”

“It was because of school!” I shouted.

“Bullshit. It was so you could spend more time with him.”

By now, we were almost at the door.

“Then you decide to go to college? Give up on your dreams?”