As we all made our way to Brendan's van, I received a text from Emma:

I thought I'd check up on my daughter. How are you doing with all this?

I took a deep breath before I responded. 

Tawnee hasn't texted me at all. So good. Sort of.

After a moment, I had another message come through.

What do you mean sort of? Want to meet up? We'll talk about it?

I took a minute to process this. Part of me wanted to ignore her wishes and tell her I didn't have time, but I couldn't do this with her.

I had a habit of pushing others away. She'd done everything she could to keep me safe. 

Was pushing her away all the thanks she was supposed to get for all she'd done? 

No. 

Yeah. I'm at the Club Congo. I need you right now.

Before we could all pile into the van, I tugged on the back of Brendan's jacket. 

He looked at me, confused.

"Yes?"

"Can we wait a minute?" I begged. "My mother texted me. I need her to accompany me to that house. I can't do it without her."

I expected him to huff in exasperation, but he simply nodded. 

"Yeah, of course. I'll just read my issue for the month. Suzette De'claire is the next runner-up on Food Wars."

I smiled as I leaned against the side of the passenger door. 

After fifteen minutes, Emma had arrived in a vehicle, looking just as well-kempt as she had when we met at the motel. She rushed towards me, making sure I wasn't broken or harmed. 

"Oh, honey, are you okay? You worried me with your text."

I immediately latched my arms around her, ignoring Brendan and Jo looking at us. 

"I'm not okay. Hero and I just had a fight over someone close to him and I have to talk to her. She's the reason we're in this mess. I can't do it alone."

"Of course," Emma replied, running a hand over my hair soothingly, "He will get over it. I know he will. Now, who is this person close to him? What did she do?"

I closed my eyes, trying to think of all the necessary points. 

"His grandmother," I choked out, "She's been trying to sabotage our relationship from day one. A little bit before we reunited, she paid someone to burn me and-"

I didn't get to finish. The expression on Emma's face turned cold. She grasped me tightly. 

"This woman burned you?" She said through clenched teeth. "Please tell me you're joking?"

I wiped at a few stray tears. "No- she said-"

Emma shook me gingerly. "Frankly, I don't give a flying damn what that woman told you. She harmed my little girl. You may have never seen me before now and I may be getting old, but her ass is getting kicked."

Emma instantly grabbed onto Brendan for dear life. 

"Is there room in this van for one more?"

He nodded, though he looked worried. "Sure thing."

When we finally started down the road and made it to the familiar mansion, I tried to not focus on my goal. It was stressing me out. If I kept thinking about it I was going to faint. 

It wasn't a big deal. I just needed to make my point. 

"This is a house?" Brendan exclaimed. 

"I know right," I tried to laugh but it broke off, "I suppose we should get this over with."

"I-I think I'll stay in." Josephine quietly murmured. 

"Me too," Brendan piped up, "I'll read my issue."

As I clambered out, I heard what I could only guess as Emma's footsteps.

We both made it to the front door and knocked, each sound like a clanging of bars.

Like a sentencing.

Emma was impatient, rapping a bit more violently. 

When the door finally opened, we were face to face with Dorinda. At first she looked joyous, until she noticed that it was me. When she saw my mother, she raised an eyebrow. 

"Can I... help you two?"

"I don't mean to intrude," I began, trying not to come off abrasive, "But I like to think we had an understanding the other night. I need to speak with Diedre. Do you know where she is?"

Dorinda rubbed her forehead, seeming exhausted. 

"She is here... but... there is some chaos going on. I don't think she-"

"You listen here," Emma hissed, getting right in Dorinda's face, "I'm guessing this Diedre is Hero's grandmother. She hurt the only thing that matters to me and I will not put up with it."

I stared in Dorinda's eyes pleading.

"Please. She crossed the line tonight and I can't keep looking over my shoulder. From woman to woman, we need to have an understanding. Forgive my mother. She just found out about the burning incident."

Like she had an instant change of heart, Dorinda stood aside. 

"Very well. Maybe you can say what I cannot."

I spared a soft look as I passed her.

Emma shocked me by bursting into tears, giving Dorinda the tightest hug I'd ever seen. I expected Dorinda to shy away, but she didn't.

Like long-lost friends, they latched onto each other. 

Without looking back, I continued inside, immediately finding Diedre lounging on a couch. She was on the phone in deep conversation, but when she saw me, she bid her farewells and dropped her cell. 

She stood up, approaching me. "My daughter let you in, did she?"

I grimaced. "For good reason. How dare you follow me and my friends at that bar tonight."

Diedre looked at Chester who was sitting down at the bar across from us.

She laughed. 

"I assure you, I don't know what you mean."

"Don't play stupid with me," I demanded, "Hero told me everything. My boss and I were not flirting at all. It was purely professional."

When Chester excused himself through a door, Diedre ganged up on me. 

"You invite yourself into my family's home and do this. Yes, I did follow you and I'm glad I did. You and your friends acting like whores on the town... my grandson deserves better."

I scoffed. "Better meaning you?"

Diedre glowered. "I told you to be careful."

"No, It's you who should be careful,"

I didn't get to turn around to greet whoever had spoken before Diedre received a harsh slap to the face. She pressed a hand to the red print, looking up at my mother. 

Dorinda was standing idly by. 

Emma narrowed her eyes dangerously.

"Look at you, all high and mighty in your steel fortress. I know women like you, taking what you want because you think you need to have it. I haven't heard much about you but your looks go a long way. Listen here, Diedre. I heard about you burning my baby-"

When Diedre tried squealing in protest, Emma went on. 

"You will shut up and you will listen. I don't believe those crocodile tears," At this Diedre's face immediately dropped into a scowl, "You're rich. I get that from this place and the way you carry yourself. But don't think for one second, that I will bow down because of that fact. You messed with something I hold dear to me and that's where I cross the line. If you ever touch her, or Hero again, I swear to you I will find a hollowed grave made specifically for you. Am I making myself clear?"

For a moment Diedre remained silent, but when she saw my mother's unwavering stare, she wiped at her face. 

"As clear as water."

Then with a skip in her step, Emma made her way out the door. When we both passed Dorinda, Emma held on to her hand. 

"My dear, may you be safe with someone like her." 

She then gathered me in her arms as we made our way to the van.

Just in case you're all confused with Dorinda and Emma's moment, they simply had a motherly connection.

Lol. Hope you enjoyed the chapter.

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