Forbidden Mate- A Step-brother Romance - Chapter 81: Chapter 81

~EMILY~
As we arrived at the house, a whirlwind of emotions swept through me when I caught sight of my son. He was leaning against the hood of his car with a troubled expression, his shirt untucked and the top buttons left undone, giving off an air of distress.
Since leaving the dinner, I've been overwhelmed with thoughts swirling in my head, feeling completely humiliated by his blatant disrespect towards me in front of everyone present.
This wasn't the usual behavior from Apollo. He was never like this in the past. All the older women were always envious that I had such a close relationship with my son, and that he always obeyed me without asking any questions. It was no longer like that and I knew who was responsible for this change in him. He was more focused on someone else now.
I still couldn't believe he'd left despite my insistence that he stay. This was so unlike him—he always listened to me before this Lana girl entered the picture. Even his father was taken aback by his sudden change in behavior; it was just so out of character for our boy. Even though I was disappointed and upset, I knew that he was not the one to blame. If Lana hadn't acted like such a brat, and stormed off, my son never would have found a problem with anything that took place. She was the reason he was treating me so poorly out of nowhere.
"She isn't with him," Jada remarks, scanning the area for Lana. I had already noticed the absence of the girl but was certain she was nearby. We must have just missed them together. A wave of frustration washed over me at that thought; if only I had moved a little quicker, perhaps I would have caught them in the act. I wanted a reason to confront Apollo about everything but could not tell him that I found out the truth through a private investigator. I just had to be on the lookout for any future exchanges between those two.
"She's not here now, but I'm sure they came together," I say, doing my best to keep my composure in front of my future daughter-in-law. The last thing I wanted was for her to witness my anger and report back to her family. They were already having second thoughts because it took me this long to convince Apollo to let this marriage happen. They were worried that since the engagement took this long, the wedding would take even longer. I assured them that they had nothing to worry about and that I had everything under control.
This marriage had to happen! I was determined to do whatever it took to ensure it. I would not be embarrassed.
"Are you sure?" Jada pressed. "Her car was still parked at the restaurant when we left. Isabella was still there too."
Was she really that naive? I had seen them leave together. I watched as Isabella took her sister's car keys, knowing she intended to return the car later.
"She's here," I declare, gripping my purse tightly. It infuriated me that my son had abandoned us at a dinner party thrown in his honor, all because I'd exchanged a few words with his stepsister.
How deeply did he care for her? How significant was she to him?
"You wait in the car," I instruct Jada. "I need to talk to my son alone."
This was exactly why I was here—to put some distance between him and a girl who had no place in our family. She didn't share our values and could never fit in. The sooner Apollo realized this, the better it would be for all of us. He had already agreed to marry Jada; why couldn't he let go of Lana? What compelled him to leave the dinner and drive her home just because she was upset over something I'd said? What was the point?
"Yes, Mrs. Reign," Jada says, "I'm right here if you need anything."
"Thank you, dear," I reply as I step out of the vehicle and face my son.
"Mother," he greets me.
Before I can chastise him for his behavior, he takes my hand. "We need to talk," he says.
What?
I hoped he wasn't about to confess anything about Lana. If he suggested I call off the engagement for her sake, I might lose my composure right in front of Jada. I forced myself to remain calm, trying to reassure myself that maybe I was overreacting. Perhaps he merely wanted to apologize for earlier.
"Yes." I agree. "About your behavior at dinner."
"No." He tells me. "I have noticed your hostile behavior towards Lana ever since you came to stay with us. I don't know why you're being this way towards her but I would appreciate it if you can act more mature in this situation."
I felt the rage within increase at his words. How dare he tell me to act more maturely? What did I ever say to Lana that was so wrong? Why was he behaving that way?
"Did she tell you to say that to me?" I ask my son. "Did she complain about my behavior when I have done absolutely nothing wrong?"
He looks upset as he raises his tone a little, "I was there. I heard the things you said to her. I even heard the things you said after she left. Lana has done nothing to you. Why are you treating her this way?”
That wasn't exactly true. She was ruining my relationship with my son, causing problems for us. And she was also coming between Apollo and his future wife. He has no space in his life for her and she should know that by now. Why was she getting involved with a man that she knew was about to have a fiancée? That said plenty about her morals and yet here my son stood defending her like she was a saint and I was the bad one.
I want to snap at him but force myself to remain calm.
“In what way?” I ask him, pretending not to know. “What way am I treating her?”