The Family Web by Itzel Cummings

Author:Itzel Cummings [Cummings, Itzel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-03-20T11:00:00+00:00

Chapter 22

Seven Years Earlier (continued)

I can’t sleep.

I was able to catch a ride home with one of my cousins after the party, but Theo’s car wasn’t in the driveway when I arrived. It’s now past midnight and not only is he still not here, but he won’t answer my calls.

I pace around the bedroom, holding my phone. Okay, he’s mad at me. I really should give him his space. Just breathe and let him text you when he’s ready. He can’t stay out all night…can he?

Crap.

I unlock my phone and text him for the millionth time tonight.

Me: I don’t know what to say that I haven’t already said. I’m sorry.

Me: I don’t want to control you. I’m sorry I came across that way.

Me: I love that you care about your family. Can you please just talk to me so we can make up and you can come home?

Me: Please?

Nothing. No answer.

I yell out in frustration and fling my phone against the headboard. It bounces off and lands on Theo’s pillow. I grab the pillow and throw it at the wall. Soon, the whole bed is stripped of all its sheets, pillows, and blankets.

It’s not fair! His mother is constantly belittling and disrespecting me to my face, but Theo draws the line at me asking him to stay at my mom’s party with me. I’m suddenly ‘controlling’.

My hands are shaking uncontrollably, and I have nowhere to put my energy. Is it normal to be this angry? I never understood the phrase ‘seeing red’ until now.

My phone trills, letting me know I’ve got a new text.

Shit! Where did it land?

I frantically claw through all of the stuff I’ve thrown around the room, and finally, find it in a pillowcase.

Theo: Please stop blowing up my phone. I need time to think. Lock up before you go to bed. I’m going to stay at Mom’s tonight.

I collapse on the floor and start to cry. A loud, ugly, desperate cry. The kind of cry when you’re frustrated and scared and don’t know what else to do.

Is he going to call off the wedding? Will his mom convince him to leave me? I can only imagine what she’s saying about me right now and Theo is no doubt drinking it all up.

I stand up, grab the duvet and my pillow, and climb into bed. Things will either be better tomorrow, or I’ll be heading back to Shelby’s. Either way, there’s nothing I can do about it now.

I must’ve fallen asleep because the next thing I know, I’m jolted awake by someone closing the front door. Did I ever lock it?

“Theo?” I ask, getting up carefully. I walk towards the bedroom door and poke my head out into the hallway leading to the staircase. The stairs go down at an angle so I can’t see if anyone is on them until they’re halfway to the top.

“Theo, is that you?”

A shadowed figure appears and creaks up the last steps slowly.

Oh no… “Theo, you’re scaring me!” I say, knowing full well that’s not my fiancé.

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