A good mother

- You didn't have to be so mean. -The words were spoken under his tense breath. - For God's sake, Vivian. - She whispers unhappily. - And I don't think I'm the best person to say things like that, you know why! - Alice narrowed her eyes at Vivian, who was standing between us. Both of us sharing a secret I had no idea about.

- Alice, I only said what you wanted to say a long time ago! You're not ten anymore, Nicole, grow up.

- I wanted to tell you, I swear, I just didn't know how. I was so confused... - I sighed deeply between sobs. - I never thought Luck would treat me like this.

- Nicole, please... - Alice said, smoothing my arms lovingly from top to bottom. - If he did something to you, if you didn't want him to, or if he forced you, you need to tell us. There's no shame in it, but we need to know everything.

- And what credibility do I have? - I said. - I did! I went up to his room of my own free will. - I wiped my face. - And even though I didn't want to continue, at no point was I brave enough to tell him to stop, to say no.

- I'm sorry you're going through this, Nicole. - Vivian adds. - But you didn't have to get to that point in order to see Luck's true face, which was there all along, you just didn't want to see it. I don't even want to think about how long this road will be for you. - She said quietly and then slammed the door.

- Hey, it's okay. - Alice hugged me. - She just needs some time. We've all made mistakes.

I cried for a long time. We left and went home. She wanted to sleep

I wanted to talk to her, but I preferred to be alone.

The next morning, I woke up to a loud knock on the door. I woke up quickly and got up still seeing blurry because of the bad night's sleep and the crying. I answered the door and ran into Madeleine.

- Pack your things," she said, walking straight past me.

Her face was impassive, she still looked the same as in my memories. Her black hair was up in a bun. Her face looked as white as snow, with thick black eyebrows, full lips and blue eyes surrounded by beautiful black lashes. Slender, full-breasted. She was certainly the older version of me. She was wearing a navy blue suit, a pencil skirt below the knee and nude pumps.

- This place is a pigsty! - she said, covering her nose and jumping over a few boxes on the way.

I stood still for a moment.

- Let's go! - I jumped at the timbre of her voice. - Don't just stand there, I've got business to take care of in the city and I can't delay. I had to delay my flight because you were unwell. While I'm here, you'll stay at our house. After that, you'll leave with me. Okay. I thought

No "Hello, how are you?"

"I'm glad she's not dead."

"What a shame I haven't seen you for nine years, only by videoconference."

"It's lucky you had business in the city, it wouldn't have been an advantage for me to come here because you had a 'malaise'."

- Okay, Madeleine. - I turned to her.

Please, Nicole, you know I don't like you calling me that. I

I'm your mother. - She came closer, caressing my face with her fingers. Well-painted red nails and no ring on her fingers.

- I'm sorry, Mom," I replied, lowering my gaze.

- Now, come on! - She patted my cheek twice. - I have business in the city.

It was so strange to be near her. I sat next to her in the car, we were more like two strangers. We didn't talk, we didn't even look at each other. I didn't know that woman. The car stopped and she got out without even saying goodbye.

- She asked me to drop her off at the address. - A driver I didn't know said so. I nodded in response. The journey went on in silence.

I walked towards the large house in a residential neighborhood. It had been a long time since I'd been there! I entered the gate code and walked the length of the gardens. As I approached the door, it opened by itself. A tall, artificially red-haired woman stood on the other side.

- You must be Nicole! - she said, giving me a big hug.

I lightly groped her back, unpleased with the welcome.

- I'm Summer - she said, shaking my hand. - I'm your mother's personal assistant. We've known each other for about eleven years. - She made way for me.

- Hello, Summer," I said with a false smile as I passed her. - I remember you. - I sniffled as I spoke, a little awkwardly.

It was true. We met on a day I'll never forget: the day of my father's funeral. Madeleine couldn't come, so she sent her assistant. I remember that she was a bit lost and didn't know what to do when I had a nervous breakdown and wouldn't let you be taken away. It was terrible. A foggy day, there weren't many people, just Matthew and Summer. She bought me an ice cream, the most expensive toy in the store, felt my back and told me that the pain would pass with the days. I can't blame her, after all. She wasn't supposed to be there. Madeleine was supposed to be.

- She's all grown up! We've prepared all kinds of menus for you, from pancakes to fruit salad. We've got cake, orange juice...

I walked towards the kitchen, which was still the same. I kept looking at every detail. That space filled me with memories, good and bad... my

Dad... I remembered my father. I felt my stomach lurch when I inhaled the smell of coffee.

- ... everything has been prepared now - Summer added. I hadn't even realized she was still talking until my morning sickness took me by surprise.

- Yes... - I put my hand to my mouth. The table was full, there was all kinds of bread, cake and pancakes. - Thank you very much, it must have been a lot of work to cook all that...

She let out a hysterical laugh. - No! I ordered everything in the morning.

Of course.

- I'd rather not eat anything. I'm tired, if you don't mind, I'm going to my room.

- Madeleine won't like that at all," she retorted.

- Look," I said. - You don't have to pretend to be my mother. - I snorted, stomped my feet and went upstairs.