Ruin (Rhodes #1) by Rina Kent

                             My gaze shifts between Mother and Grandmother. Jasmine and lavender. Spring and mud. Do I even want to take a side?

                             ‘No, you don’t,’ Aunt whispers in her cold voice. ‘You have me. You always picked me.’

                             I nod to myself. Winter is indeed more interesting. It confuses me still, but it’s a lot better than rare motherly and disgusting mud.

                             “What’s going on here?”

                             All attention darts to Father’s deep voice. He enters the room with an imposing presence that forces everyone to look his way.

                             He’s tall and overpowering. His presence always sucked air from his surroundings. I learnt to hold my breath around him since a long time ago.

                             Still in his business suit, his dark gaze – identical to mine – shifts between the three of us. He lingers on Mother before facing Grandmother.

                             “What are you doing in my quarters, Madam Rhodes?” His tone is calmer than Mother’s voice earlier, but there’s an edge to it that only those who know Father can recognise.

                             “N-nothing,” Grandmother’s trembling fingers stiffen around the cane.

                             “Tell him the truth or I will, Madam Rhodes.” Mother’s arms tighten further around my shoulders.

                             Grandmother shakes her head, but that doesn’t stop Mother from addressing Father, “Oh, Arthur! She tried to suffocate Aaron to death. If I didn’t come in time, our baby...” Mother chokes on her words, more tears fall unchecked.

                             Father’s neutral expression doesn’t change.

                             Not even a twitch of his finger.

                             “Insolent!” Grandmother lifts her cane and brings it down, but before it connects with Mother’s bare legs, Father catches and twists it, forcing Grandmother to let go.

                             “Madam Rhodes,” he says in a low voice. The serious angry tone. Grandmother flinches backwards as he speaks, “I thought I told you not to interfere with my family. I will give you a second chance because you are the woman who gave birth to me. If this happens again, you will no longer be welcome in the estate.”

                             He hands her back the cane. Grandmother gulps, eyes wide still.

                             “Goodnight, Mother.” Father smiles, watching Grandmother limp out of my room.

                             He edges close to the bed. His intense black eyes consider me with a look I can’t categorise in his usual seriousness, anger, or indifference.

                             “Are you well?” he asks.

                             I nod. He nods back. And just like that, his gaze switches to Mother— serious this time. “What did I say about crying in front of others?”

                             Her arms unwrap from my shoulders, and she wipes her cheeks with the back of her hand. “I’m sorry.”

                             “Come.” Father’s harsh voice takes over. “We have a long night ahead of us.”