9. Grayson

We spent the rest of that weekend planning our future for the one-hundredth time. She kept gazing at her ring every few seconds with a smile on her face that was bright enough to rival the sun. She seemed as excited about the fact that her family loved me as she did about getting engaged.

We hadn’t called her family yet because we wanted to tell them in person, so we planned to do so first thing the day we got back home. Of course, I wasn’t going to tell mine, but Lily, in one of her mischievous moods, said she couldn’t wait to tell her Dad.

“Can I ask a question? Why didn’t your mother get this ring?”

“Mom’s ring came from her side of the family. It’s another one of those generational pieces that have been passed down for centuries. I think she had it melted down and made into something else after the divorce, but I’m not sure. I try not to ask her too much about that time in her life.”

“I see. And you know the history behind this ring, so I take it.”

“Yes, it was my great-great-nan’s though I think there might be another great in there somewhere. Anyway, she was married to a sheik, and this was the ring he gave her when their first son was born.”

“It was passed down to the first son to give to their future brides, and before you ask, Grandma’s ring also came from the maternal side. I don’t think it was ever worn as an engagement ring, though, now that I think of it. Though it fits the purpose.”

“At one point, it was stolen and ended up in a museum somewhere, but the family sued and got it back. No one has worn this ring in more than, I think, three hundred years. Cute story: I think Dad wanted to give it to Janice because he’s the only son or something like that. Grandma almost had a stroke.”

“Ah, so that’s why you want to tell your father that you’re engaged. And what happens when he asks to meet your fiancé? What are you going to do then?”

“He won’t ask because I won’t answer.”

I hadn’t told her about Lacey’s call and what had led to this impromptu weekend getaway yet because I didn’t want to spoil the mood, but now was as good a time as any since we were leaving the next day. “What is it?” How does she always know when something is on my mind?

“I was going to hold off on giving you the ring, but your sister called me on Friday to talk about planning our wedding.” She jumped up, ready to fight, until she remembered that I was hers and no one could take me away from her.

“Delusional twit. You better not even pretend.”

“We knew this was coming. That was part of the promise I made, after all.”

“I know; I mean, don’t buy her a ring, and don’t even think about going to see venues and stuff like that with her.”

“I won’t have time since I’ll be planning our wedding with you, your Mom, and Grandma.”

That answer seemed to please her vengeful little heart, and she rolled over on top of me, keeping the covers between us as she licked my bottom lip with her tongue before diving in.

* * *

LILY

* * *

It’s beena while since I visited my Dad’s place and a whole lot longer since I wanted to. Just the sight of the gate leading to the driveway makes my heart sink, and I regress to that scared little girl who was tormented here for a few seconds. And then the anger tries to seep through and I have to fight to contain it.

I’d made up my mind a long time ago, ever since I signed the papers, that I was going to harness all that anger and years of rear into revenge. I know Janice had only ever been in it for the money, but in the process, she’s trampled all over my mother’s heart.

Not only that, she and my dad had tormented my mother for years and had gone so far as to try to turn me against her. When that didn’t work, the abuse only got worse, and I know she absolutely hates the fact that my grandparents would have nothing to do with her after all this time.

I used to overhear their arguments at night when they thought I was asleep. That’s when I realized that the reason she would take my things and give them to her daughter was that she thought she deserved them as much if not more, than I did.

Once everything came out though, Mom had made sure that anything of value that they had taken and claimed I had lost was returned. No one realized that I knew exactly what I was doing when I waited until I was older to tell Mom the truth about what went on in that house.

They thought it was a coincidence and that I just had enough and snapped. That would be a no. I planned it all. I started doing my research on custody laws in our state at the age of eleven. Until then, I didn’t know there was such a thing as a minor choosing which parent they wanted to live with.

I overheard a conversation between Mom and one of her friends, and that’s where the idea was planted. I did my research for a couple of years and gathered all the evidence I needed. Pictures of the bruises Janice would leave.

Recordings of her screaming vile abuse at me and my Mom while her spawn cackled in the background. I went that route because I didn’t want to hear my Mom crying in her bed alone at night because of something my father had done or said.

I didn’t want her wasting her money going to court only to have to send me back there again, so I bided my time. Dad still claims to this day that he has no idea, but he’s still married to her, so his word means nothing in the scheme of things.

The car drove down the driveway, and the chauffeur let me out of the backseat. I didn’t ring the doorbell; I just used the key I had made and opened the door. I knew my Dad wouldn’t be home for at least another hour, but she was home.

“What’re you doing just opening the door and walking in like you live here?”

“Oh, hi, you’re still here.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Do you know who owns this house?” I know she knows because Dad had told her after years of her believing it was his.

“Get out!”

“I don’t think so. I’m here to see my father in the house my grandparents own. While you are just the mongrel dog that my father crawled into bed with and bore a flea.”

I caught her hand before it connected with my cheek but was sure to use my left hand so she got a good look at the ring. “What’s the matter? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“That ring, where did you get that ring?”

“Where do you think? I know you saw a picture of it once in a magazine when Dad was showing off to you in the beginning. I hear you threw a tantrum because you didn’t get it.”

She flew at me again with her claws bared. I knocked her hand away. “I’m not that scared little girl anymore, Janice. And if you want to remain in this cushy little setup, you’d get out of my face right this second.”

“You, you’ve gone mad. You can’t talk to me like that. Wait until your father gets home.”

“Tell me, Janice. The last couple of times you’ve seen me in my father’s presence, how has he been? In fact, when is the last time my father has taken your side against me?”

I smiled and walked past her to take a seat in her favorite chair in the family room. “Bess, are you here?” I called out for the maid who had been with the family since before I was born.

“Yes, Miss?”

“I’d like a bottle of water, please, if you don’t mind.”

We smiled at each other, and she went to get me the water. I asked about her family as she poured it into the crystal glass with a wedge of lemon on the lip.

“Oh, they’re doing very well, thank you.”

Bess departed so as not to seem too fond of me. That way, Janice would never know that she’s a font of information about what goes on in this house since I no longer frequent the place.

“What do you want? Why are you here?”

“That’s none of your business. I thought I asked you to get out of my sight. Or should I lock you in your room for the weekend?” That’s right, I plan to do to you everything that you did to me and my mother.

“I hear that your daughter is planning a wedding. Looks like we sisters think alike. I wonder if we have the same taste in men?” I laughed at my own joke, which went right over her head.

“So, is that what that is? You’re getting married?”

She hadn’t taken her eyes off my ring once. “Yes, I am. Grandpa gave my fiancé the family’s most precious heirloom to propose with. What kind of ring did Lacey get? I can’t wait to see it.”

“Lacey’s ring is being made; you don’t need to worry about it.”

“Hmm, I hope he has very deep pockets because, knowing her, as soon as she sees my ring, she’s going to want one to match it. She’s always been jealous of me that way. Oh, by the way, how did she do in college? Better than you, I hope. Didn’t you drop out to have her after you slept with a married man?”

Her eyes were almost on the floor, and with good reason. This was the first time I had staged a frontal attack on her or the first time I’d let her see my self-assured side. There was a reason behind my actions; I wanted to push her to do the unthinkable.

“Who do you think you are, you little bitch?”

“JANICE!” I’m not sure how she didn’t hear his car pull up outside. I did. or maybe it’s the fact that I could see the driveway from my seat, and she couldn’t.”

“Leo, I didn’t….”

“What the hell are you doing?” He looked from her to me and back as if not sure what to do next.

“Hi, Dad. Sorry, I just dropped in without calling first.

Nonsense, this is your home. You don’t need to stand on principles. What brings you here?”

“I’m engaged and thought you should hear it from me first.”

“Oh? I didn’t know you were seeing someone. Who is it?”

“No one, you know. Just a boy I met at university.” Lacey entered the room just in time.

“What, boy?” She was giving me the evil eye.

“Like I said, no one you know. Anyway, I’ve said all I came to say.” I picked up my purse with my ring showing again and proceeded to leave.

“He gave you the ring. I guess that was the right decision after all. This way, it stays in the family.”

“How can you say that? What about our daughter? Shouldn’t she get a ring, too? It’s been more than twenty years; why do they still hate us?”

“Not now, Janice. I’ll walk you out, Lily.”

“That’s fine, Dad. I know the way.”

“What, boy? What ring?”

“Your sister is engaged. Your mother is upset because my father gave her the ring she wanted.”

“She’s too young to wear that ring.”

“That’s funny. Weren’t you even younger when you broke up…. I mean, when you and Dad got married? I thought you just said that this was the ring you wanted. Isn’t that why you attacked me and tried to slap me before Dad came?”

“You did that? After everything I’ve told you?”

“I…. you’re just here to start trouble. Why don’t you just leave?” Janice screeched.

“Sure, and Dad, I’ll be sure to tell my grandparents what happened here today.”

He hissed something at her, which I didn’t hear, but I did hear her say, ‘So now I have to live in fear of that little bitch?’ Lady, you should’ve been living in fear of this little bitch a long time ago.

“Oh, Dad, before I forget. Gran told me to remind you that they’re going to be gone this weekend.”

“Yeah, sure, I remember.” I could already see the wheels turning.