My mother pointed out as she looked at me with disapproval swirling in the depths of her green eyes.
"I know, I know. I overslept," I admitted and quickly whisked past her without saying much.
Growing up, we didn't exactly have the best relationship.
She did the basics, put a roof over my head, fed me, changed me, but that's about it. However, it never really quite felt like she was my mother, almost felt like she was just existing in the same space as me because she didn't have any other choice. She never bothered to learn or remember anything about me, my likes and my dislikes, and the distance between us only grew as I grew up and she grew older.
She wasn't the best mother but she was still my mum after all and somewhere deep inside my heart, I still care for her despite what I may say.
I walked into the living hall to see Natalie sitting on the black custom-made leather couch next to her daughter, Evelyn. Evelyn was about my age, only 2 years younger than I am.
Natalie must have heard me walk in as she immediately tore her gaze away from the television to meet my gaze.
"I'm so sorry that I'm late," I quickly apologised, giving her a slight bow. Natalie quickly got up from the couch and walked towards me, placing her hand on my shoulder as she gave me a smile.
"Don't worry about it," she assured. "You are only 10 minutes late, it's not the end of the world. Besides, we really do love your work, we wouldn't want anyone else helping Evelyn other than you."
I returned the smile. "Thanks, Mrs Lloyd."
"Oh, please. Call me Natalie. I have told you this many times, no need to be so formal all the time."
I nodded and turned to see Evelyn stomping off towards the art studio without even looking at me, an unhappy expression plastered across her face. I turned back around to look at Natalie. "I will head up to the art studio first," I informed before walking off in a hurry, following behind Evelyn who was a few steps ahead of me.
I walked in to see Evelyn already seated down and I slowly closed the door behind me. I took a single step and tripped on something that was lying on the ground, but quickly steadied myself. My eyes naturally glanced down to see that it was a bedazzled box, the sparkles twinkling under the bright light.
I bent down to pick it up carefully to examine it upon closer look. I opened the box to reveal a beautiful diamond necklace and my eyes widened in admiration. I looked over at Evelyn who was already doodling on the piece of paper in front of her.
"Is this yours?" I asked, holding it out for her to see.
She immediately got up from her seat and snatched it out of my hand with a tiny frown etched onto her face. "Yeah, that's mine," she mumbled in a protective tone. "My parents got this for me for my 25th birthday present," she explained, a hint of smugness laced her voice as she bragged.
"Keep it safe then," I casually remarked and I watched as she turned to keep it in the drawer next to her with a smile etched onto her face.
The lesson had ended before I knew it and just as I was about to leave, my own mother pulled me aside, yanking me by my arm and we were now standing inside the pantry.
"What?" I snapped at her as I pulled my arm out of her grip.
"Is it true? That you asked to divorce Blake?" She questioned me as we locked eyes.
"Yes, I did," I replied without a single hesitation.
"Are you crazy?!" She chided as her eyes widened in anger. Do you know what the people are saying and gossiping about? Why is it that I have to hear from others that my own daughter has divorced her husband?" She snarled as a hint of anger laced her voice.
"Why am I the crazy one?" I retorted. "Besides, I don't care what the people are saying. They don't matter to me. This is my life, their opinions mean nothing to me. If they cared so much maybe they should marry him themselves."
She slapped me across my face and I looked back at her in shock as I narrowed my eyes at her. "Don't be sarcastic with me, Aurelia. Did you cheat on Blake?" She asked this time, her voice dripping with accusation. "You cheated on him, didn't you?"
I let out a breath. "I didn't," I said through gritted teeth. "He was the one bringing home another woman on the night of our anniversary! Why don't you question him instead of interrogating your own daughter?!"
"Then how do you explain the picture?" She asked with a raised brow. "Blake sent it to me. Why are you holding hands with another man in front of the City Hall?"
I laughed. "Why can't I? We have divorced. What I do after that has nothing to do with him," I sneered with disdain.
She grabbed my wrist, her fingers digging into my skin as she glared at me. "Do you think this is some kind of joke, Aurelia? Do you want to ruin our family's reputation?!"
A cold chuckle left my lips. "Our so-called family reputation is more important than my happiness and well-being? You didn't even bother asking me how I am or if I'm okay but you would jump straight to defend him?" I spat the words out of my mouth like they were poison.
"Besides, we are nobody. Who cares about our family image and reputation, mum?" I continued. "Why don't you just admit that it hurts your pride and ego because people are saying that you don't know how to raise your own daughter?"
"You-!" My mother was about to raise her hand to hit me again but paused as something else caught her attention.
It was at this moment when a high-pitched scream pierced through the air, slipping in through the tiny gap in the door and rang in our ears.
"Ahhh!"
I watched as my mother quickly pushed the pantry door open and left without sparing me another glance, her face wore a hint of concern and worry as she stepped out.
I trailed behind her, my eyes darting around, searching for some form of clarity amidst the chaos that ensued.
"What happened?" I asked as a tiny frown crept onto my face and I found myself looking right into Evelyn's eyes.
"You!" Evelyn snarled as she jutted her finger out to point at me. She glared at me with an intense look swirling inside her dark green eyes. "It must be you. You stole my diamond necklace!"