Chapter 127

I let out a deep breath and looked up. "What is it, Mother?"

She narrowed her eyes. "What have you been up to?"

"What are you talking about?"

She slapped her hands on my desk. "You know damn well what I'm talking about!"

I shrugged, unfazed. "I haven't the slightest idea what you are talking about."

"Do not attempt to play coy with me," she said as she stepped around my desk. "You've been with her, haven't you?"

I looked directly into her eyes. "What are you saying, Mother?"

"I forbid you to see her!"

"Who?" Although I knew exactly whom she meant, but I wanted to hear her say it.

"That bitch! Alyssa Case!"

I narrowed my eyes at her. "And how is that, Mother, when you told me that she was dead ten years ago?" I leaned close to look directly into her eyes. "And don't you ever call her that again."

At that moment, mother reared back her hand and let it fly onto my cheek.

But I just stood there, looking at her. "Why did you tell me that she was dead, Mother?!"