1. Mia 1
Chapter 1
Today is the day I come out to my mom and brother.
It’s not going to be easy, especially since the only person who might’ve understood me is six feet under. But I’m done being closeted.
I’m done pretending my girlfriend is just my roommate or work partner. I want to be free.
Taking deep, shaky breaths that have nothing to do with my asthma, I push the door to the living room open.
My mom, my brother, and my girlfriend, Zoe, are seated, their heads lifting as I walk in. Zoe meets my eyes for a brief moment, and I feel an odd flicker in her gaze that I can’t quite place.
“Why are you just coming home at 9 p.m.? You need to be more responsible. Is this how you’d behave in your husband’s house?” my mom scolds before I can say a word.
No “Welcome back.” No “How was work?” Not that I expected her to care more now than she ever has in the past. But sometimes, I wish we had a better relationship.
Sometimes, I wish I could lean on her for strength. To know she has my back.
“Mom, I was stuck in traffic. And besides, I’m twenty-four. I’m an adult,” I say, keeping my tone low and carefully ignoring her last question.
Because I can’t answer it. I have no plans to marry a man, much less worry about his opinions.
“Well, since you’re an adult, you can make your own dinner. There’s not enough for you,” she replies coolly, waving for my brother to join her at the dining table.
My feet remain planted as I watch them move away. She means it. They’re going to eat without me.
The only reason I head to the kitchen instead of storming to my room is Zoe. She always loved my mom’s cooking. She always made me laugh, even in moments like this. But today… today feels different. I grab a bowl, pour out some cereal, and let the sounds of their chatter guide me back to the dining area.
I’ve rehearsed this moment over and over in my head. I’m ready. Whatever my mom says or does, I’ve steeled myself for it. But nothing could’ve prepared me for what I walk into.
“Zoe,” my brother says, his voice soft and steady. “I never believed in love at first sight, but the moment I saw you, I knew. And ever since you said yes to being my girlfriend three months ago, I’ve been certain that I want you to be my wife.”
“What’s going on?” My voice is barely above a whisper, yet it feels like it shatters the room. My bowl of cereal slips from my hands and crashes to the ground.
No one except Zoe glances at me. And even she… she’s smiling. Smiling as she accepts the ring my brother slips onto her finger. Smiling as she says, “Yes.”
I don’t remember moving. All I know is that one second I’m standing there, and the next I’m grabbing Zoe by the arm, dragging her out of the room. My mom is shouting, calling me irresponsible. My brother’s protests blur into the background. I don’t care. I don’t stop until we’re in my room.
“Let go! You’re hurting me!” Zoe whimpers, but I barely register her words.
“What the hell is going on?” My voice cracks as I yank the ring off her finger and throw it across the room.
Her response is a slap. My face stings, but the pain barely registers as I stare at her in disbelief.
“Did my mom and brother threaten you? Zoe, just tell me. What’s happening?” I choke out, my voice trembling as I watch her search for the ring.
“Are you blind? Do I look like I was threatened?” she snaps, slipping the ring back onto her finger with care.
“Then what was that? What about us?”
“Us?” she sneers, the word dripping with disgust.
“Yes, us! We were supposed to come out to my mom today. We had a plan. Why—” My voice breaks. Why did you betray me?
“I’m sure you already know the truth, but you’re just struggling to accept it,” she says, her voice cold. “I know I wasn’t the kindest, but the truth is, I used you to get to your brother.”
“No. No, that can’t be,” I whisper, shaking my head as I step closer to her. But she takes a step back, her smirk deepening.
“Let’s analyze this, Mia,” she begins, her tone condescending. “You’re a recent college graduate, still job hunting, while your brother manages the biggest commercial company in the state. He has so much more to offer me than you ever could.”
“Then why?”
“Why?” she repeats with a cruel laugh. “How about the fact that he’ll inherit all your late father’s wealth the moment he marries me? I get to leave my miserable life behind. Of course, breaking your heart is a worthy sacrifice.”
Tears blur my vision as I stumble back. “You made promises to me. You said you loved me. Why… why would you do this?” I scream, my voice raw with pain.
“Stop shouting,” she says, stepping closer. To my horror, she pulls me into a hug.
And for a moment, I let her. Because my heart is desperate for the comfort her arms once gave.
“If you truly loved me, you’d want what’s best for me,” she whispers. “You’d let me marry your brother. We can still be together. Just in secret.”
The words are a slap to my soul. I shove her away, glaring at her through my tears.
“Was this why you always insisted we meet in secret? Why you told me to call you my ‘friend’?”
“I’m sorry,” she says with a shrug, “but the deed is done. I can’t give back the ring now.” She flaunts the diamond, the light catching on her finger.
“Yes, you can! If you ever loved me, you’ll give it back. You’ll tell him the truth,” I plead, falling to my knees.
“And why would I do that?” she says coldly, brushing me off as she heads for the door.
“Zoe, please,” I beg, desperation pouring from every syllable.
“Even if you tell them about us, it won’t change anything.” She turns, a wicked smile curling on her lips.
“What do you mean?” I ask, my voice barely audible.
“I have your family wrapped around my finger, Mia. Duh.” She chuckles darkly, opening the door to come face-to-face with my mom and brother.
“What’s going on?” my mom demands, her eyes darting between us.
“Oh, thank God you’re here!” Zoe exclaims, rushing to my mother’s side. “Can you believe Mia doesn’t want me to marry your son? She even called me a gold digger!”
I’m frozen, unable to believe the words coming out of her mouth.
“What?” my brother growls, striding toward me before his hand connects with my cheek.
“Miller, why?” I gasp, clutching the sting.
“You’re disgusting. A lesbian trying to seduce my fiancée? Get out of this house!”
I turn to Zoe, tears streaming down my face. She smirks, her betrayal cutting deeper than any wound.
Moments later, I’m outside in the rain, pounding on the door. Pleading to be let back in.
But no one answers.