Chapter 27
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LANA
“Can I help you?” I ask the beautiful woman in front of me. She scrutinizes me from head to toe, her eyes narrowing in disdain as if my clothes and body make her uncomfortable.
What was her problem? We didn’t know each other, so why was she judging me?
Was it possible that she was here to sleep with my step–brother? It wouldn’t be the first time a girl had appeared at our door looking for him. However, there was something distinguishable about this one. She didn’t seem like the usual woman that Apollo slept around with. This one seemed… Different.
“I am looking for Apollo.”
My heart drops at her words. I was hoping that she was here for someone else, but hearing her say his name confirmed that she was truly here for him.
I was sure his days of bringing women home here were gone, at least for a while.
Did I get my hopes up for nothing? Was he still sleeping around with random women every chance that he got? Was it possible that he didn’t want me to
know about it?
My mind raced as I tried to figure out what was going on between them.
Why was I hurting my head over this when I could ask the girl and find out for myself? Would she even be willing to answer me? Something about her stance told me that she didn’t like anyone asking her too many questions.
“And who’s asking?” ask. “What is your name?”
I could start there, and once she gave me an answer, I could ask other questions about her relationship with Apollo.
Would that be too much? Would Apollo get angry if he learned I’d asked her that?
She’s about to respond when a middle–aged woman joins her side. There was something very familiar about her. For some reason, she already seems
like she doesn’t like me.
What did I ever do to her? What would this middle–aged woman be doing here if this young girl was here for Apollo? Was this her mother, and was it
possible that Apollo had gotten her pregnant?
No.
That couldn’t be it. I was thinking too far.
I studied her facial features and realized something I should have noticed a long time ago: she closely resembled Apollo’s mother. But this couldn’t be
her. She never stepped foot in our place. She hated even being in this town because she knew my mother lived with her ex–husband. After the divorce, Apollo’s mother went kind of crazy. She did not handle it well; there were times she even threatened my mother to kill her.
I didn’t want to remember those days. I was happy things had quieted down since then.
“She does not need to answer your question.” The middle–aged woman cuts in.
“Yes, she does,” I tell her. “This is my home. I think asking someone for their name before I allow them in is fair.”
I have somehow managed to anger her more than before.
“I am here to see my son. Where is he?” She snaps.
My eyes widen at her words.
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Chapter 27
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So this was his mother.
My initial observation was, in fact, correct.
Why did she come over here? It couldn’t possibly have something to do with that conversation she’d overheard, could it?
Could that be why she finally chose to step foot in this town? If that was the case, I didn’t know what to think. Why would Apollo’s conversation with me have such a strong effect on her?
“You’re Apollo’s mother?” Task her for confirmation.
“Yes,” she says proudly. “But who are you? Are you one of those girls he likes to sleep with and then forget about the next day?”
I frowned, surprised that she would try to belittle me like that. The girl next to her cannot hide her smile. She likes that Apollo’s mother is disrespecting
- me.
Who was she to Apollo?
“No.” I snap. “I hate to disappoint you, but I am more than just one of those girls.”
She narrows her eyes. “Oh, really?” she demands. “If that is the case, why has my son never mentioned you?”
I fold my arms, “I think there is some misunderstanding.” I inform her. “Just because I’m in this house does not mean I am sleeping with your son.”
I could tell her I was his step–sister, but that would not change much. She hated my mother, and I knew that meant she would hate me just as badly.
“Then who are you?” she asks. “What are you doing here?”
I am about to respond when I hear footsteps behind me.
“Lana?” my mother asks. “Who is it at the door?”
I inhale sharply. This wasn’t good.
Apollo’s mother looks at me with sudden recognition. “You are Lana? His step–sister?”
Before I can answer her, my mother steps forward.
As soon as their gazes lock, I can almost feel the electric tension crackling in the air. It’s as if the very atmosphere around them thickens with an unspoken challenge, making the ground beneath them seem to tremble with the weight of their mutual resentment.
“Emily.” My mother hissed. “What brings you here?”
“I am not here to see you.” Apollo’s mother snaps. “I am here to see my son, but unfortunately, your daughter has been rude and prevented me from seeing him.”
What?
I couldn’t believe this woman. She was the rude one for speaking the way she did.
Was this truly Apollo’s mother?
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