Chapter Fifty-Eight:

Things really haven’t been too eventful this past week. I mean, after I ran into Mike at school and I learned that my mother has been trying to hook up with Mr. Matthews… everything else has been dull by comparison. I just have this gnawing feeling in my gut that she’s planning something elaborate and devious. I know her, so I know that my theory isn’t too much of a stretch. That’s what worries me.

She hasn’t made any effort to contact me, so that’s good, but honestly, it’s just a matter of time. That’s what everything seems to come down to – time.

---

“Lydia, how would you like to accompany me to the mall?” Holland asked me. I looked over at her and grinned.

“It’s been so long since I’ve gone shopping – I’d love to.” I assured her.

“I was thinking, you should have that Tiffany over, and we should have a girls’ night next week.” Holly suggested as I sat up on the patio. I nodded.

“Sure, sounds fun. Maybe if she’s over… Zack will finally make a move.” I joked. She giggled.

“I just needed some girl time with my favorite girl.” She told me. I nodded.

“Alright, let me grab some shoes and we can go.” I told her. She nodded and headed back inside. I pulled on a pair of gray, short shorts over my bikini bottoms. I put on the white, off-the-shoulder shirt I brought outside with me, before heading inside after Holly. I put on my aviators and pulled on some low-tops before heading out the door.

---

“How is Hayden doing? I mean, is he really doing okay? Jimmy seems to make him so happy. They’re so cute together.” Holland pried. I giggled and linked arms with her.

“Honestly, it seems like he’s doing really, really well. I can’t remember the last time that he was this happy. I know that his mood has only improved since you got here. I hope you guys stay a while. It’ll be weird not having you guys around.” I mused, starting to frown.

“I don’t think that will be a problem, Lyds.” She assured me. I shared a smile with her.

“So… you’re sudden need for new lingerie doesn’t have to do with Doug, by chance; does it?” I asked her. She didn’t say anything. “Oh, my God!” I squealed. “I totally called it! You’re welcome!” I teased, as I bounced, excitedly. She laughed and pulled me into a side-hug, as we kept walking the mall.

“Thank you. I appreciate the set up. He’s great. He’s…” She sighed.

“I know! He’s like the dad I never had.”

“I’m glad that you finally have a father, Baby.” She smiled.

“She already has a father.” A low voice said from behind us. I froze. I don’t need to turn around to see who it is. What is Adam doing here?! I shot Holland a sideways glance. She has her poker face on – it’s unreadable.

“And Dougie is taken.” Another voice sounded. My heart dropped into my stomach. My mother and my father?! What are they doing here?!

“Shit,” I whispered. Holly let go of my arm and grasped my hand instead. She gave me a squeeze and nodded at me.

We locked eyes and I knew it was time to face the music. They aren’t going to go away. We have to face them. I sighed as we turned around. Adam smirked as his eyes drank in my appearance. Lynn looked at both of us with disdain.

“Now I have someone who actually acts like a father.” I shot at my smirking sperm donor. He kept his face impassive.

“You little bitch,” my mother breathed. I swear, she makes Mommie Dearest look like a fucking saint. Not many can say that. “You stole him from me. Things were going good between us.” She pressed. I rolled my eyes.

“‘Well,’” I corrected her. She looked confused. “Things were going ‘well’ between the two of you.” I told her. She grimaced at me. Adam just chuckled.

“She’s right – you know? She has always been such a smart, little girl.” He said, quietly. If I didn’t know better, I’d say that I was getting the pedo vibe from him. If there’s anything that he isn’t into, it’s that. And I’m thankful as hell that he’s not. “Have you missed me? I know that I’ve missed spending quality time with my little girl.” He breathed. I stiffened. Holland tightened her grip on my hand and stared them down.

“It’s pathetic that the two of you feel the need to belittle your own flesh and blood to make yourselves feel better.” Holly sneered at the pair of them. Adam fixed his attention to her. The way that he was looking at her was giving me chills.

“Keep it in your pants!” I shot at him, but he just chuckled.

“You look just as delectable as you did the last time I saw you. I’ve heard that you’ve divorced since?” Adam made almost polite conversation with Holly. She looked at him in disbelief.

“He was an abusive pig, just like you.” Holly replied, calmly.

“You know, things with Dougie won’t last. If you know what’s good for ya, you’ll back off.” My mother threatened her. Holly didn’t say anything. “I’d hate to see you end up hurt.” She added. Her voice dripped with syrupy, mock concern.

“You won’t touch her.” I told them both. I let go of Holly’s hand, but she gripped me tightly, keeping me at her side.

“Lydia, I’m not afraid of them. They’re bullies. They’ll never be anything else. We’re better than they are.” She told me. Lynn looked like she was ready to attack.

“You’re better than me?!” She raged. Holland just nodded.

“Yes.”

“What makes you think that you’d ever be better than me?!” She demanded.

“We don’t have to hurt others to be happy. We aren’t sadistic sociopaths.” Holly retorted. My mother took a step forward, but my father grabbed her wrist and pulled her back. We’re in an awkward dance and no one is making the first move.

“We won’t touch either of you, not today. You can continue to play house with your fake family, Lydia. Make no mistake, you are mine and I plan full well to claim you. You may feel safe, but know that I’ll be watching you. I’m not the only one. When you’re at your most vulnerable and that’s when I will be there to take you back. Make the most out of your little friends, while you can. Once you’re mine again, you won’t be seeing them again. You think that I hurt you when you were younger? Just wait and see what I have in store for you. If I’m feeling generous, I’ll Derek take a shot at you, before you’re broken beyond repair. Who knows?” He warned me.

After his tirade, my blood ran cold. I feel like I’m freezing. I can’t breathe. I can’t show him that he got to me. Showing either of them weakness is like waving a bloody limb in front of a starving shark. It’d be the end of me.

“If you try and hurt me again, I will kill you. I won’t hide behind them. The next time you attack me is the last time that you’ll be breathing. I will personally put a bullet right between your eyes. Hope that you don’t see me again.” I spat at him, forcing myself to keep my voice steady and not to tremble. He chuckled.

“There’s that fire.” He smirked. “Maybe I’ll keep you alive and let you follow in my footsteps.” He taunted me, before taking a step back and walking away. Lynn started at us for a moment.

“He can’t keep you safe, Holland. Your ass is mine.” She sneered, before falling in step with him. It took both of us a minute to move after they were out of sight.

“I-I’m s-s-sorry.” I stuttered. Holland looked at me and I lost it. I clutched my chest and couldn’t breathe in air fast enough. My heart is pounding so loudly in my ears.

“Lydia, focus on me.” She commanded. I tried. I really tried, but couldn’t focus on her. There’s too much going on in my head. My eyes just won’t stay open. “Let’s sit down.” She whispered. I was vaguely aware that she was leading me to an empty table in the food court. “They’re gone. They can’t hurt you.” She promised me.

After a minute, I couldn’t hear her voice. I looked up and saw that she was gone. That only made me panic even more.

After what felt like hours, a paper bag was thrust into my hands. I forced myself to breathe into it, until I was able to get my breathing under control.

Notes

More drama - as promised! This is definitely longer than last night's chapter.:) Hopefully you enjoyed it. I was going to try and start another chapter tonight, but Ink Master is on and it's impossible for me to concentrate on anything else. Lol. New chapter will be up tomorrow night! <3

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Much love to everyone,
<3 Katie