Forbidden Mate- A Step-brother Romance - Chapter 82: Chapter 82

~APOLLO~
Keeping calm was proving to be incredibly difficult. My mother refused to acknowledge the way she had been speaking to Lana. She insisted on playing the innocent card, even though I could see right through her act.
This conversation was veering off course, and it wasn't heading in the direction I'd hoped.
"Mother," I say, trying my best to keep my voice steady. "You disrespected her in front of everyone when she never said a impolite word to you. You're staying in their home; you can't talk to anyone living here like that."
I had to include everyone, if I focused only on her behavior towards my step-sister, she would pick up on it.
"Apollo, dear," my mother replies, placing a hand gently on my shoulder. "Why are you so upset over what I said? I had no idea you were so close with your step-sisters. When did this happen?"
My jaw tightens. "I've spent years with them. They're not strangers to me."
Concern clouds her face as she whispers, "I can't believe you're acting this way on what should be a joyous occasion. What have I done to deserve this? Have I ever treated you poorly?"
Running a hand down my face in frustration, I say, "You're missing the point. I'm telling you that I won't tolerate this behavior."
Her eyes widened in surprise. "What do you mean, Apollo?"
Clenching my fist at my side, I tell her firmly, "I'm saying that if you don't change your attitude, I might have to reconsider this engagement. I won't go through with it if your plan is to make Lana or anyone else in this house uncomfortable while you're here."
It took everything in me to assert that to my mother. Standing up to her had always been challenging because I feared hurting her feelings. But this time, she had crossed a line with her comments about my mate. Seeing Lana's hurt face earlier made me realize that just because I didn't want to hurt my mother didn't mean that it gave her the right to hurt Lana.
She gasp, clearly taken aback by my words.
"I can't believe you would even think about ending your engagement over something so trivial," she whispers, holding her hand over her chest like it pained her.
Trivial? How was this trivial? It might be for her, maybe, but for me, it was anything but. I wasn't about to back down. I meant every word. I was already sacrificing so much by agreeing to marry Jada. All I asked was for my mother to show respect to Lana and her family.
~LANA~
From my window, I could see Apollo engaged in a serious conversation with his mother. I couldn't catch the details from this distance, but she looked like she was struggling to maintain her composure.
My heart ached witnessing my mate's struggle, knowing he was keeping something from me. It hurt that he didn't want to let me in, especially since he was still willing to marry Jada.
If only he would open up just a bit, I could help him navigate this situation.
I was astonished that his mother had rushed after him instead of staying with the rest of the family at dinner. If she had arrived just moments earlier, she would have caught us together, and I shuddered at the thought of what might happen if she ever saw us so close.
Suddenly, I noticed my sister pulling up next to them. Instead of parking normally, she jumped out of the car and approached them.
What on earth was she doing?
She glanced up at me and smiled, speaking to Mrs. Reign, who shot her a glare in response.
I considered rushing down to intervene, but my sister didn't say anything else as she walked into the house. I was left impatiently waiting for her to stop by my room.
When she finally entered, I narrowed my eyes and crossed my arms over my chest.
"What did you just do?" I demand.
She shrugs nonchalantly. "What makes you think I did anything?"
"You didn't even park my car!" I exclaim. "You just left it there, blocking Mrs. Reign, and then you said something to her before coming inside."
She grins. "You weren't supposed to be watching."
I frown, "You looked up at the window and smiled."
"Oh," she sighs. "I didn't mention you and Apollo, of course."
I narrow my eyes further. "Then what did you say?"
She groans, glancing out the window at Apollo and his mother, still locked in their argument.
"I just thanked Apollo for earlier," she finally admits.
Thanked him? For what?
"What do you mean?" I ask, stepping in front of her view to ensure I had her full attention. "Why did you thank him?"
She grabs my shoulder and turns me to face the window again, as she says, "Isn't it refreshing to see Mrs. Reign upset?"
She was dodging my questions.
"Isabella," I warn, exasperated.
"Okay, okay," she relents. "I thanked him for stepping in when that man was flirting with you. I told him that if he hadn't intervened, it would have crossed the line."
My eyes widened in disbelief. I couldn't believe Isabella would say something like that in front of Apollo's mother. She knew exactly how that would look to Mrs. Reign when she already didn't like me and seemed as though she absolutely hated me. She would hate to know that her son was that protective over me.
"Why would you do that?" I ask, frustration creeping into my voice.
“What do you think they're arguing about?" she asks, brushing aside my question.
I roll my eyes. "Probably whatever you just mentioned."
She shrugs. "They were at it before I pulled up. They stopped talking when they spotted me getting out of the car, but they were definitely upset about something."
Well, Apollo did leave dinner early to drop me off, so I could see why his mother would be irritated. That was likely the source of their argument.
"I told you, soon enough Apollo will end this engagement for you," she says, gesturing towards him as he storms into his car, his mother's voice trailing after him. She's so loud that we can hear her from up here.
"I don't think that's going to happen," I whisper, recalling his words from earlier. "But I do feel like he's hiding something from me, and I just can't put my finger on it.”
But I wasn't planning on giving up. My feelings for him were far too strong.