Chapter 38 : Layla POV On the way home , I keep touching my lips because they still tingle from that intense kiss with Cade . The smile on my face also feels like a new permatuen fixture . And what the hell was I thinking humping his leg like that ? But I wasn't lying when I told him I had no regrets . Yes , we were playing with fire by standing in that parking lot and getting each other off . But I honestly think the location added to the whole experience . A few weeks ago , I would have clutched at my pearls if you told me about a couple who was being so daringly intimate , and in public of all places . The horror ! The scandal ! But now , having enjoyed that special moment with Cade , I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world . Don't get me wrong , I haven't suddenly turned into an exhibitionist , but it did knock down one of the many walls of my reluctance to be intimate with someone in any way , shape , or form . And don't even get me started on the size of Cade's dick . Should we ever take the final step of having sex , I'm apprehensive that he'll be able to fit inside me , or it'll cause immense discomfort . But I do look forward to trying though . As I step through the front door , the house greets me with an eerie , unnatural quiet that sends a prickle of unease down my spine . It's not even that late , yet the usual evening rhythm is absent . Normally , when I get home from a shift at the coffee shop , Moira is still bustling around the kitchen . José , ever diligent , would be making his rounds , checking that all the windows and exterior doors are locked tight before joining us . Then , like clockwork , we'd gather for our nightcap - tea for José , hot cocoa for Moira , and my chamomile tea . But tonight , the silence is heavy . The kitchen is empty , the overhead light dimmed to a soft glow . My gaze lands on the counter , where my favorite teacup sits neatly beside the kettie teabag already nestled inside . All it needs is boiling water . The sight is comforting , a small gesture of Moira's thoughtfulness , but it doesn't fully ease the strangeness of the silent house . Maybe Moira had a long day , I reason . With Michael and my mom back from their trip , the dynamics in the house have shifted , and I know Moira's been stretched thin keeping everything in order . She's probably exhausted . I decide to leave her be for tonight . I'll see her in the morning and catch up with her then . Walking down the hallway to my room , something feels off . Didn't I close my door this morning , like all the other mornings ? Why is it standing somewhat ajar ? Did Moira clean in there and forget to close it properly ? Stepping into my room I walk over to the bedside table and place my teacup down . The moonlight slanting through my big windows illuminates the room enough for me not to put on a light yet . I head to my walk - in closet , pulling open the door and grabbing my favorite sleep shorts - soft , worn cotton that feels like a second skin - and an oversized t- shirt that hangs loose on my frame . My plan is simple : a quick shower in the ensuite to wash off the day's sweat and the lingering scent of coffee grounds , then crawl into bed with my tea and maybe a few pages of a book . But as I step back into the room , my eyes catch on something that makes my heart lurch - a figure sitting in the wingback chair tucked into the corner of my reading nook . My whole body freezes , my heart starts thundering like a herd of wild horses has been set loose inside and a cold sweat has me pulling the collar of my shirt away from my neck . Before I can scream , my mom switches the reading lamp on which sits on the side table on her left , and I relax somewhat . " What the hell , Mom ? " I ask , exasperated . " What are you playing at ? " she sneers at me . What the hell is she on about ? Does this have to do with the call I received earlier from the lawyers ? She doesn't give me the chance to respond as she steamrolls ahead , " I gave you one instruction . Sign the fucking papers . But no , you want to be stubborn and have a lawyer read through them first . " Chapter 38 : Layla POV Ah , I see . I'm not willing to be her mindless puppet anvmnie to for she's lacking out Coed to ban " You call it stubbomness ; I call it doing my dive diligence regarding & legal matter . This ten't sont invonential transaction ; this affære fint fetus . already screwed me over with my college fund . I won't let you take this away from me tom Her face started turning red as I was speaking and if she's not careful , steam will be conting from her fart soon . Getting up , she stalks closer to me till she's a couple of feet in front of me , het fists balled at her side , and breathing like an enried ball through her mode . " You ungrateful little bitch , " she spits at me . " The last 18 months you have made my life hell with your whining and crying Abrust you missing post dat And about me moving on too quickly . I gave up my whole life when I got pregnant with you because your dad asked me to . I never truly get to liv after college . And now that I've decided it's my time to start enjoying myself , you still want everything to be about you . " By the time she is finished with her tant , I'm staring at her slack - jawed . I know they got married right after college but they both told me that it was a mutual decision because they were so in love that they didn't want to spend one more day apart . A couple of years ago while we were all reminiscing over baby photos of me , my mom was the one that said she had been eager to get pregnant with me , and that I was the best thing that ever happened in her life apart from her meeting my dad . But here , in this moment while she's glaring at me , I realize that those pretty words were all lies . It's clear from her words that she never really wanted me . Did she ever truly love me ? She probably resents me as well - not only for my existence but because she had to share Dad with me . Does she even like me ? All the little red flags that should have made me aware earlier about who she truly is as a person , start making an appearance in my mind's The times I was sitting in Dad's lap as he read me my favorite fairytale - she would find some kind of mundane chore that my dad had to do right at th very moment . When he was putting me to bed at night , intending to sing me to sleep - someone from his office or a distant relative almost always called right then to discuss something or to catch up . When we had to go shopping because I needed new clothes for school because I grew taller - conveniently , she would also need a new pair of designer jeans a pair of red - bottomed Louboutin heels , or new Dolce & Gabbana sunglasses . Effectively lowering the budget so I could only choose a couple of things at the most . When she used my college funds for her frivolities . And maybe the biggest red flag was when she started abusing me . I can only think of one question at that moment when tears threaten to spill from the corners of my eyes , " Did you ever love me ? " She only stares at me , jaw tight . And her non - answer is answer enough for me . Steeling my spine , needing this conversation to come to an end , I resolutely say , " I'm having my lawyer go over the paperwork . The fact that you don't want me to do so is troubling to me and makes me think you're hiding something . Now , please leave my room . I have an early morning tomorrow . " Before I can turn away from her , intent on heading into the ensuite , she grabs my upper arm , digging her talons into my flesh , making me wince in sudden pain .