Avenging Angel (Pounding Hearts 5)

Silence speaks volumes. Especially to people like Tristan and Ashley. They thrive on attention. They need it like the rest of us need to breathe.

After a quick web search, I log back into Instagram and disable my account. Then I block their numbers in my contacts.

There… Let everyone make of that what they will.

Because I’m done. Done with caring about people who don’t care about me.

Done trying to be what they want me to be.

* * *

Having put this little family reunion off for long enough, I quickly change out of dirty my clothes and try my best to clean myself up. As much as I would love a shower, I don’t think I have the time for it. It would take me at least another twenty minutes to get clean and dry my hair, and the last thing I want my new stepbrother and his wife to think is that I’m a high-maintenance, spoiled princess.

Something I’ve bee

n accused of being one too many times.

People look at me, at my family, and the things I have, and they assume I’ve always lived this way. Too many assholes assume I’ve grown up with a silver spoon in my mouth and take everything I have for granted.

But it couldn’t be further from the truth.

Before my mother achieved success as an interior designer, we were living in studio apartments, paycheck to paycheck, barely making ends meet. I know what it’s like to go without. Up until starting high school, that was my life.

Without.

Without time with my mom because she was working two jobs while putting herself through school for her degree.

Without an extra penny to spend on anything that wasn’t a necessity, and sometimes without the money to buy the necessities.

Without a father who gave a shit about me.

Shaking those thoughts out of my head, I do a quick sniff test of my pits. Yeah, I definitely smell like I’ve been stuck in a car for eight hours.

After spraying on half a can of deodorant, I brush my teeth and gargle some mouthwash.

Then I say a little prayer and make my way down the staircase.

I’ve only met my new family once, when I came back to Nevada from school for my mom’s wedding. While everyone was nice to me, especially Logan, it felt like we were polite because we were afraid of ruining the happy couple’s moment. With everything going on, the family dinners, the rehearsal dinners, there just wasn’t enough time to really get to know each other.

Well, we’ll certainly get to know each other now because I’ll be here all summer.

That thought alone causes my stomach to clench with a touch of apprehension.

It’s been so long since my mom was happy, and I don’t want to ruin this for her. Out of all the people in the world, I personally believe she deserves it the most.

Before I make it completely across the foyer, the tinkling, musical sound of children giggling reaches my ears.

It’s weird but I swear a little jolt of warmth courses through body.

Funny, I didn’t even realize I was cold. Especially in this dry, desert heat…

Confused but drawn to the pull of the sound, my footsteps quicken, carrying me across the lavish foyer until I’m standing in the dining room doorway.

All at once my feet stop, planting me on the spot, as I peek in and take in the scene.

It’s all a little chaotic but reminds me of something straight out of a Hallmark movie.

Two little girls with dark pigtails run around the dining room table, giggling and carrying-on while the adults attempt to eat dinner.