I'm not sure how it had come to this, but here my Mother stood with a man in a tailored suit, staring at me with a smug expression. They were both at the front of MY bookstore, acting like they owned the place, demanding that Adrien go and retrieve me. I was livid, and grateful they had yet to see me.

"This is a... messy little store isn't it." It's not messy! It's actually well organized but we had just received a order of new merchandise and our floor person had called out because her daughter was running a fever...

"It seems I've let my daughter have to much freedom with this place. This will change." No what will change is my tolerance for my mother... why is it going to come to this. I saw movement behind me and I glanced back to see Godric standing there, the expression on his face was unreadable as he regarded my mother and her friend. I knew I couldn't hide any longer.

"Hello Mother, what brings you here?" I greeted her politely.

"Clara. I've come to make a generous offer, you see I want this spot for a nail salon. There's no competition around and it would be perfect!"

"...I see." My emotions were unreadable as my expression went blank. My eyes cold as ever.

"Where are my manners!" Where indeed... "Who is your friend?" Not interested. Not for grabs. Not gonna happen.

"Mother let us skip the pleasantries and continue with why your he- Oh no wait, what am I thinking... Your not getting my shop for a nail salon. YOUR name is NOT on the papers. YOU do NOT own any part of MY shop and YOU are NOT welcome here. Now... take your "friend" and kindly leave my building before I call the cops and have you detained."

"You have nothing that they can detain me over darling, your threat is as empty as your heart." The grin on her face spoke millions of truths I was still not ready to hear... but she would not see me break.

"Perhaps..." I glanced at Godric and then back at her. Drawing support from him as he stood silent beside me. "Or I could tell the authorities about all the times you beat me... or tried to sell me for drugs. I could tell them how you made me sleep out in the cold. I could tell them how when I can home beaten and bruised you slammed the door in my face yelling where is your dinner."

"Lies!" She screamed in fury at me.

"No. It's the truth, I have scars all over my body. I have doctors visits and paperwork to prove the damage was done. I have kept in contact with you merely because you had been abandoned by your husband, you had cast out your son... you were alone and I took pity on you. It cost me a great deal. I miss my father, I want my brother back, and I REGRET ever giving you the time of day. The next time you step foot anywhere near me there will be hell to pay and I very much doubt you are prepared to pay. Last chance... leave."

"I should have gotten rid of you just like Charlie! Your so much like your father! Don't get to attached to her boy, she play with your heart till there's nothing left!" As she ranted, I hid my hands behind my back to hide that I was shaking, I bit my cheek to keep from crying. "YOU ARE A MONSTER CLARA!"

"No. The monster is the woman throwing false accusations against her daughter who has done nothing but give, and even to strangers. You do not know her, and you will never get the chance." Godric removed the two from the property and as soon as they were out of sight, I bolted to my office and with shaky hands barely managed to lock the door. I couldn't see and sobs seemed to rip from my chest as I fell to my knees hyperventilating.

Ivy's POV

"Clara! Open the door please! Please Clara!" I banged on the door. Adrien and Eric closed up shop. I could hear her and it tore my heart to pieces, I had no idea... she was dealing with all of that. I turned and ran to Godric. "Please, just rip open the door! Do something!" He had barely made it back inside the building and I was becoming hysterical. It's just I had never heard her break... and that girl was shattering.

"I have a pick-lock." Adrien helpfully supplied, holding the little golden metal up and Godric snatched it and then was gone.


Soooo! There is going to be some serious chapters! I'm actually wondering where this chapter came from because this wasn't where I intended to go with it... but its good so who cares! Let me know what y'all think!

~Yoru