Broken kingdom

Chapter 61 Bianca

“Are you done yet?” Wayne questions, reaching for his tray. 

Please. I haven’t even started. 

“Nope.” I snap, wagging my finger. “Don’t you ever tell me to stay away from your son again. I love him, and unlike the rest of the women in his life, I will never hurt him…or abandon him.” I push his food tray toward him. “Now you can finish your water.” 

Eyebrows raised, Wayne brings the straw to his mouth. “If this psychology thing doesn’t work out, you should consider going into law. You’d be a shark in the courtroom.” 

“I’ll keep that in mind.” Huffing, I cross my arms. “Does this mean you support us being together?” 

I know how much Oakley loves his dad, so having his blessing is important. 

Wayne chokes on his drink. “Hardly.” He rubs his forehead. “But it’s obvious you love him, or you wouldn’t be in here fighting with me…hours after I had surgery.” Leaning back against the pillow, he frowns. “The love between you two isn’t the issue, Bianca. It’s the drama and toxic events that transpire. More than anything, I want my son to be happy. Happy and sober. I’m just not convinced you two being together is the right thing for him, because the last time you two were involved he ended up getting trashed and killing a girl.” 

“That’s the thing, Mr. Zelenka. Oakley and I were happy together before the accident. Yes, tragic events occurred—so I get why you think I’m no good for him—but our relationship was healthy.”

We changed each other for the better. 

 My hands find my hips. “And just so we’re clear, Oakley’s sobriety is important to me.” 

And I’m okay with being number two, as long as his sobriety always remains number one. 

Despite looking like he wants to keep quarreling, Wayne heaves a sigh of defeat. “I’m not going to win this argument, am I?” 

“Nope.” I throw up my hands. “But if you’re even half as stubborn as I am, you’ll never come around.” I hold his gaze. “Just know that I can’t wait to prove you wrong.” 

He eyes me skeptically. “We’ll see about that.” 

“I’m being serious,” I tell him. “In fact, you should start apologizing and kissing my ass now.” My thumb hits my chest. “Because I’m go

He starts choking on his drink again. “Anyone ever tell you you’re insane?” 

“Yeah, your son.” I flash him a feisty grin as I saunter to the door. “Right before he fell for me.” 

Fluttering my fingers, I walk out. 

And run straight into the woman from earlier. 

The look she gives me makes me want to bash her head against the wall.

“Let me guess, you’re here to console your junkie boyfriend.” 

The woman must be clinically insane or have a death wish. 

“Excuse me?” 

Rolling her eyes, she mutters, “Moron.” 

I have no idea who the hell this bitch is or what her issue with me is, but no way in hell am I going to stand here and let her call Oakley a junkie or me a moron. 

“I’m sorry.” I cup my ear. “I could have sworn you just called my boyfriend a junkie and me a moron…but I know you can’t possibly be that fucking dumb, so I’m going to give you one second to apologize before I shove your Louboutins up your ass.”

Past…

I swear on all that is holy I’m going to kick that bitch’s ass from here to kingdom come tomorrow. 

So I messed around with girls? Big freaking deal. 

Caitlyn was dicked down by half the football team last year. 

Whatever. I refuse to let her ruin what’s going to be a good night. 

Squaring my shoulders, I walk across the lawn to the guesthouse. 

Oakley always knows exactly how to make me feel better. 

I twist the doorknob. “Honey, I’m h—”

Talking to myself…because he’s not home. 

Hmm. He’s probably still at his dad’s. 

Depending on how late he’s going to stay, I might have to reschedule the di

After fishing around my purse for my phone, I bring it to my ear. 

Oakley answers on the fourth ring. 

I’m not sure what’s happening at his dad’s house, but it sounds like there’s one hell of a party going on in the background. 

“Oakley? Hello—”

“Bianca,” he slurs on the other line. 

And just like that, my heart crumbles. 

“Are you drunk?” 

He’s been sober for a month now. Well, with the exception of weed, but I know he mainly does that because it helps with his seizures. 

I’m not sure why he’d throw his sobriety out the window like this. 

“What happened? Where are you—” I start to say, but his next sentence steals the air from my lungs. 

“I can’t do this.” 

“What are you talking about?” 

“Us.” 

A flicker of panic shoots through my chest. There are a lot of changes happening in his life lately, and everything I’ve read told me change can be a major trigger for addicts. 

Somehow, I manage to find my voice. “I know you’re nervous about telling my brothers, but we don’t have to—”

“It has nothing to do with your brothers,” he slurs. “I don’t want to destroy you, Bianca.” 

Tears well in my eyes. Not only because of what he’s saying, but his lack of faith in us. 

In himself. 

“You won’t,” I assure him. “I know you would never hu—”

“You’re wrong,” he roars. “I will. Because that’s what I fucking do.” The agony in his voice sears my soul. “She was right.” 

I have no idea what he’s talking about. “Who?” 

His voice drops to a faint whisper. “Goodbye, baby girl.” 

A swell of pain infiltrates my heart. “Goodbye? Oakley, this isn’t—”

The line goes dead. 

I try to call him back, but it goes straight to voicemail. 

Slamming my fist against the table, I mutter a curse. 

I don’t know how one moment everything was perfect between us…and now. 

Everything’s broken. 

Clutching my stomach, I let out a ragged breath. 

The last time I spoke to him he was at his dad’s house, playing with his sister. 

And now he’s getting drunk God only knows where and breaking up with me. 

It doesn’t take a genius to figure out something must have happened while he was there. 

Snatching my keys out of my purse, I head for the door. 

I might not know what went down, but I do know one thing. 

Hurt people…hurt people. 

And I have every intention of finding out who’s responsible for hurting the man holding my heart in the palm of his hand. 

My heart beats like a drum as I march up the hilly lawn leading to Oakley’s old house. 

I have to force myself to relax as I knock on the front door.

Storming in there angry won’t solve anything. 

I just need to know what happened, so I can fix it.

A woman who looks a whole lot like Jace’s girlfriend Dylan answers the door.

She’s holding a sleepy Clarissa Jasmine on her hip. 

My brain scrambles briefly because I realize that I’m officially face to face with the notorious Crystal. 

In other words, the cunt who broke Oakley’s heart. 

I swallow my irritation. “Hi, I’m—”

“Oh, my God,” Crystal says. “I love what they’ve done with the uniforms. Super cute.” She gives me a big smile. “I was a cheerleader at Royal Hearts Academy too.” Her nose crinkles. “Well, back in the day obviously.”