Cruel Kings by Skye Knight

22

Camilla

The few days until the weekend kept me on my toes. I stayed at my apartment but the feeling of comfort and safety seemed to have been stolen.

Corey and Caleb ruined how I felt about living alone. They could appear any moment to torment me and there was nothing I could do to stop them.

Brian’s gesture to adopt me was exceptionally thoughtful and kind, but it painted a darker mark on my back, one that attracted Noah’s wrath worse than before.

I still couldn’t forget the way he’d taken me that night. Fear and desire warred within me every time I thought about him.

Something was becoming clearer the longer I stayed close to Noah, Corey, and Caleb. My desires were as fucked up as theirs. Why else would I yearn for their touch so badly? They scared me, but I still hungered to have them inside me.

I didn’t bother about boys before. Girls like me who had to worry about money twenty-four-seven rarely had any brain space left to spare. School and work kept me so busy, I skated through the four years of college without worrying about being single.

Now, Brian was going to buy me a brand-new laptop and Mom was taking me to shop for a gown. I didn’t even go to prom in my senior year because I didn’t want to waste money on a dress.

I couldn’t believe Brian had been with us through all those years. He could’ve helped us out but I guessed Mom was too strict. She didn’t want to take his money.

Maybe, that was the reason he loved her so much. She’d been a constant companion to him without asking anything from him.

Noah, Corey, and Caleb didn’t see the time they spent together. If they did, they’d be convinced Mom loved their dad for who he was, not for his money.

I wished Mom could leave me out of everything. That was the only way to get them to see I didn’t care to snatch their money.

Losing Mom would break me. I was already dealing with the grief of knowing how little time she had to live. Still, I believed I could survive alone. I didn’t need Brian after she was gone.

I’d survive how I always did. Working hard didn’t scare me and a college degree with good recommendations would secure me a job after graduation.

I’ve got to make her see that I don’t need anyone to take care of me after she’s gone, I decided.

Only distancing myself from the Amhurst brothers would let me finish the rest of the semester peacefully.

My phone buzzed in the pocket of my jeans. Taking it out, I saw Mom was calling me.

“Hey,” I said.

“Hey, honey,” Mom said in a cheerful voice. “I’m here to pick you. Come on.”

“Coming.”

Grabbing my backpack, I locked the apartment and headed down to meet her.

A sleek Mercedes was parked outside the gates. Mom peered through the car’s window, gesturing me over.

Anxiety swirled inside me as I headed over to climb inside the luxurious car. Brian was generous enough to send Mom in a car but I felt uncomfortable.

“Are you excited?” Mom asked when I settled down beside her.

“Sure,” I said in a depressed tone. Mom didn’t notice or rather chose not to.

For the day, she chose a beautiful crimson coat. Elegant white lace collars of her dress were visible just underneath it. Her hair looked too shiny and thick, and it was a moment before I realized she was wearing a wig.

My empty stomach swirled with anxiety, making me feel sick at the thought of my mom losing all her beautiful, long hair.

The valet drove the car down the street, letting us talk between ourselves.

“We’re having brunch first,” said Mom. “Brian took me to this fancy restaurant the other day and it’s simply the best. We’re eating there first and then we’ll go shopping.”

“I don’t mind going to Sam’s Diner,” I said.

Mom gave me a look. “We go there all the time. I want you to try something new.” Her expression turned grim. “I know you’re having to adjust to a lot of things but stop being so rude and stubborn. Brian feels hurt when you act this way.”

“I like Brian,” I said. “You know that. It’s just that I don’t want to be included in every single celebration. There’s no need for me to be at the party tomorrow.”

Mom’s expression slackened.

I knew she wanted to say more but the presence of the valet in the front seat was keeping her from talking. She looked out of the window, wiping her hand over her face.

Mom was crying.

Guilt spread through me. My chest clenched, knowing I was hurting her.

She wanted the best for me, wanted me to taste the fine things Brian gave her. Since the time I was born, she never left my side. Her world revolved around me.

It hadn’t been easy for her to bring me up on her. Most young mothers gave up their babies, but she stuck with me.

Mom wasn’t asking a lot from me. She just wanted me to be in her life.

I wanted that too, but Noah, Corey, and Caleb were making it too difficult. Their hatred and rage thrashed against me each time I was in their presence.

Even though they didn’t say a single thing before their father, the moment they got me alone, they exacted vengeance. They turned every good thing into poison.

They liked tormenting me, hurting me.

And the broken thing I’d become, I craved their depraved punishments.

The car stopped before a posh restaurant with tall glass windows.

Mom stepped out. I climbed out after her and followed her, entering the well-lit restaurant.

A valet appeared at our side. Mom elegantly handed her coat to the man. I kept my jacket on with my hands dug into the pockets. Thankfully, one of us was dressed well enough to be allowed in such a posh place.

Anxiety coiled around me but Mom looked completely relaxed. “We have a reservation under Mrs. Amhurst,” said Mom. 

“Yes, ma’am,” said another valet. “We’ve been notified. Please, come this way.”

Surprise flickered through me. Mom was having no trouble navigating the world of the rich and entitled. It’s like she’d been living this way her whole life.

We were shown to a table in the corner, giving us privacy from the rest of the dining hall.

I watched with mesmerized fascination as Mom fired our order.

“You’re so good at this,” I said when the waiter left.

“Good at what, honey?”

I gestured around the lavish dining hall. “This.”

A sad expression came over. “You deserve all this and much more. Just because you grew up under difficult circumstances, doesn’t mean you’re undeserving.”

Her words struck something inside me. They were like a balm against the constant poisonous barbs the Amhurst brothers threw at me.

“Brian wants to give you the same things as his sons,” said Mom.

Noah’s enraged face immediately flashed before my eyes.

“He doesn’t have to,” I said.

“He must,” said Mom firmly.

I stared at her grim expression, feeling like I was being crushed from every side.

“His sons don’t say anything but I can feel them not liking the way Brian treats me,” I said slowly, hoping she’d understand me.

“He has a complicated relationship with them,” said Mom. “It’s been that way since they were born. He and his previous wife were great business partners but they sucked at home life. Noah, Corey, and Caleb watched their parents fighting every day. Such things can have a deep impact on children and leave long-lasting scars.”

“You knew about his previous wife?”

A strange expression descended into her soft brown eyes. Her mouth tightened as if she was struggling to drown a curse from falling through her lips.

A second later, two waiters arrived at our table, quickly filling up the surface with dishes of dainty sandwiches, mini frittatas, and elegant pastries. There was a jug of juice as well as a full tea service tray.

When the waiters left, Mom filled up my plate with food. “Eat,” she ordered. “You’ve looking thinner than usual.”

“Thanks,” I said and bit into a pear-stuffed pastry. The buttery, flaky layers melted on my tongue, making me moan out.

“It’s good, isn’t it?” Mom asked.

“Yep,” I said, pushing the whole thing inside my mouth.

Mom chuckled and took a sip of tea.

Before she could change the subject, I repeated my earlier question. “Did you know Brian’s previous wife?”

“I knew her,” said Mom, looking into her teacup.

“How was she like?”

“That is none of your business, Milla.”

“Mom,” I whined.

She shook her head. “Don’t pry into the past. Besides, Victoria’s dead. There’s no need for us to remember what she was like.”

“I’m sure Noah, Caleb, and Corey remember.”

“They were children,” Mom said in a grim tone. “They were too young to understand. Then, she got sick and died, leaving a pitiful image behind.”

To my surprise, Mom scoffed. “She was always so dramatic.” Meeting my gaze, she added, “Either way, she’s got a lot to answer to me. Won’t be long before I see her again.”

“What kind of history did you two have? Do Noah and his brothers know?”

Mom shook her head. “They’re innocent like you. They don’t know anything. Brian wants to keep it that way and I agree with him. There’s no need to dredge up the past when it won’t change anything.”

“They’re not innocent,” I mumbled.

She chuckled. “They’re just kids.”

“That’s what you think,” I said gravely. “Do you know how dangerous they are? They beat up people and don’t fear the consequences. Those who spoke up against them were mysteriously suspended from the university. They’re ruthless and evil. I don’t like being around them.”

“Brian will protect you.”

I shook my head. “I don’t want anyone protecting me. I’m old enough! Please, Mom. Don’t keep asking me to join them for dinner and parties. I hate it! Just let me live my life. Is that too much to ask—”

A sudden gagging noise cut me off.

Mom slapped a hand to her mouth and hastily stood up. Before I could say a thing, she ran.

“Mom!” I called after her but she didn’t stop.

I ran after her, narrowly missing colliding with a waiter with a full tray of food. Mumbling a quick apology, I entered the restroom.

Loud gagging noises followed by sounds of splashing water led me to a nearby cubicle. Mom was bent over a toilet, vomiting, and coughing.

Kneeling beside her, I pulled her hair back.

This was the first time I was seeing her being sick. Guilt stabbed at me again. She’d been sick for a while now and I had no clue because I spent so much time away from her.

I noticed large smears of blood in the remnants of the breakfast she had that morning. My insides shriveled up at the sight.

Mom was on the verge of dying and I wasn’t even able to give her any warmth or comfort. I’m so selfish, I realized.

It was okay for Noah, Corey, and Caleb to misunderstand and hate me. They were, after all, strangers. But this heaving, coughing woman was my mother!

Couldn’t I handle their torments a little longer? They’d already done their worst to me anyway. It wasn’t like I could get back my virginity and dignity back again.

Noah, Corey, and Caleb already destroyed all my fanciful romantic ideas. I doubted I could even be in a normal relationship after the things I was shamefully enjoying at their hands.

Mom tore off wads of toilet paper and wiped her mouth.

“It’s all right, honey,” she said, slowly getting back to her feet. “I’m okay.”

“You’re unbelievable,” I said in a cracked whisper. “Why the hell are you consoling me when you’re the one puking your guts out? Did you see all that blood? You should be in bed, not walking around with me!”

She smiled and pulled me into a hug.

Like an idiot, I held onto her and sobbed. “I’m so sorry, Mom.”

“I know, sweetheart,” she said, rubbing my back soothingly.

“I’ll stop complaining,” I said. “I’ll stop troubling you all the time.”

“What are you talking about?” she said with a light chuckle. “It’s my job to look after you.”

I pulled away, staring at her disbelievingly. “Can you stop being such a...a... a mom!”

She grinned and walked over to the washbasins. Turning on the water, she rinsed her mouth and used a tissue to clean up her blouse.

I helped clean her hair. Thankfully, we were able to have the whole washroom to ourselves.

“You should go back home,” I said when we were done. “There’s no way you can shop.”

“I’ll be fine.”

“Nope! You’re going home.” Something else came to my mind as we were leaving the restroom. “How long can you hide your illness from Brian’s sons? Don’t you think it’d be better to tell them?”

“I don’t want to burden them,” she said. “I didn’t want to tell you either.” She let out a sigh, looking completely exhausted. “I wish you didn’t have to feel anxious and worried all the time.”

“Stop worrying about me and look after yourself,” I said, holding her arm tightly. “Give me the money and the name of the store you were planning to take me to. I’ll go and buy a dress on my own. Please, Mom. Just go home.”

A grateful smile came upon her tired face. “All right, then.”

We went back to the dining area but stopped a few feet from our table. Three men were already sitting there.

“What are they doing here?” I muttered, recognizing the two tall, identical figures in black leather jackets and their companion who wore a neat dress shirt.

“Hey,” said Mom. “What a surprise.”

“We were free,” Corey supplied, grinning at her. “Also, our dad drove us crazy with taking over the preps for the party tomorrow. So, we decided to hang out with you ladies.”

“That’s great!” Mom gushed. “Milla was going to shop all alone.”

“Why?” Noah asked immediately. “Weren’t you supposed to go with her?”

“Mom’s not feeling well,” I said. “She’s going home.”

“We’ll keep her company and take care of her,” Caleb said with a somber look. “Go home and don’t worry about a thing.”

The fake sincerity in his eyes fooled Mom easily. She gave him a grateful smile and looked toward me.

“Go ahead,” I said, handing her purse to her. There was no way I was going to stand there and argue with them when she was already feeling so sick.

Mom leaned in to kiss my cheek. “I can’t wait to see what you choose!”

“It’ll be the best,” said Corey. “You can trust our taste in fashion.”

“Thanks, Caleb,” said Mom, easily mistaking him.

Corey didn’t correct her and waved at her with a stupid shit-eating grin on his face. I sighed internally, knowing they were here to unleash hell on me again.