PTE

a's

filled the house screaming my name "Paula! You need t

ing I could deafen my ears. "Why don't you

on her hips. "You think you can talk to me li

ou?" I shot back, feeling bitter "You think livin

t even start with that. Andre is a good man! H

ry you didn't earn?" I spat, standing up to fac

ther I can be! It's not easy!" she ye

ver there!" I slammed my door behind he

could finally find some peace, but that thought was sha

glance. I stopped in my tracks when I saw them. My mom and An

dsome," my mom purred

laugh. "You know you're even more beautiful."

out them noticing me. But then I saw it. My mom brus

uldn't tell. How could she be so affectionate with him, acting like she hadn't

here private?" she whi

urst into the room, fury boilin

e while my mom quickly tried to compose herself. "Pa

down with him while you're still in mourning for m

at!" she yelled back, fur

st stop pretending for once, Mom? You think you toy w

h, you little br

arm, hitting me across the face. T

be you're the reason Dad is dead! You were busy trying to

rom shock to disbelief.

uck with you!" I stormed out of the room, t

eath, but now it felt like there was a way to show her what it really meant to be aba

played a game with her? What if I took my mother's

man and the source of her happiness and mak

close to him without revealing my intentions. He was always in th

aybe even flirty. That evening, I walked

adopting a soft voice

, giving me a charming s

–ye

hy

y being nice?!" I gla

e off your head. Calm down and I'm j

ve been thinking about what you said the other day. About how you care about

his brow furrowing slightly.

to soften him up. "You're really nice to me,

s and she loves," he replied,

I moved even closer. "Yeah, but you alwa

almost smirk. It was working. Andre shift

om the kitchen. "Andre! Are you

his gaze returning to me. "Paula,

aid. "We'll

seat again then said, "Let's fini

hings up a notch. I didn't care if I was going too

f my best outfits and it was a bit–revealing but the m

" he said, his eyes wi

go somewhere or do something but I don'

o you have

ther?" I suggested, leaning in a l

ce," he replied, though I could s

where I wanted, I heard my mom's voice f

torn, and my stomach twisted with frustration.

said, standing up. "Let

"Yeah, later," I said, watching him le

mom would decide to swoop in, stealing attention away. Once, I walked in right as

he said cheerfully, try

ht smile. "Just wanted to se

, but I felt the distance in his