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Chapter Twenty-Three

"Why do you do this to me?"

"Bella?"

Renee flipped on the lights.

"Answer me."

"Why are you sitting in the dark?" She stared, waiting, assuming she had the right to be answered first.

My hands were shaking as I said calmly, "You asked him not to collect rent."

Her face relaxed. "Oh."

"We have money."

"But we both just started working this week." Renee slowly side-stepped me, as if I were going to lash out at her. "Edward is nice and I knew he wouldn't mind helping out."

"You mean you knew you could take advantage of him," I spat with disgust. "You mean you noticed the way he looked at me."

Renee barely moved, but I could see her eyes dancing.

Because she loved this. She lived for the times I was brave enough to call her out and she loved seeing my hands shake.

"You just can't let me have one thing, can you?" My voice was still calm, the only thing I seemed to be able to control.

"What are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about...everything. Are you jealous of me? Do you want to see me fail? Do you hate me so much that you'd-"

"I don't hate you, Bella. You're my daughter."

And then she smiled, no- smirked. It was her way of claiming ownership. Again and again.

"That means absolutely nothing. Do you realize that?"

"Oh, it doesn't?" Her tone was snippy and I stood so we were eye-level. "I could have aborted you, but I didn't. I'm sure that means something."

There was no hint of alcohol on her breath, nor dilution of her pupils.

This was just Renee.

Bitter and worn and depressed and pathetic.

And evil.

"You didn't abort me?" I laughed humorlessly. "The only thing that means is that you either didn't have enough money or own a wire hanger."

I heard her hand pierce through the air before I felt the sharp sting across my cheek.

"How dare you speak to me like that."

Again. It was always about her.

A/N: The category does say drama. I know I've blinded you with some fluff, but it can't be all sesame bars and handjobs. Thanks for reading and thanks to those of you who voted for this at TLS.