Between Then and Now (Hallow’s End #1)

4. Chapter 4

Chapter 4

R AIN DRUMMED SOFTLY against the windows, filling the cottage with a soothing rhythm. After putting away groceries from a quick shopping trip to Maple he’s practically part of it already. And now, with his recent promotion at Sterling Enterprises, you’ll be seeing a lot of him at work, too.”

The mention of his promotion hit me like an icy wave. I hadn’t known about it, and the news filled me with a sudden sense of dread. The idea of returning to work and being forced to see him, especially after everything, was suffocating. My mother’s words continued, but my mind was already spiralling at the thought of being in such close proximity to Sebastian, day in and day out. It was like a trap I hadn’t even realized was being set around me.

She paused, as if to let that sink in, before continuing. “You know, Sterling Enterprises has just signed a major partnership agreement with Carlisle Enterprises . It’s a strategic alliance that will have the two companies working closely on several projects. Your father has been planning this for years, ever since you and Sebastian started dating. The idea was always for the two of you to eventually get married, which would make the merger of our businesses seamless and beneficial for both families. It makes perfect sense, Lavinia. You two were meant to be together, both personally and professionally.”

Her words weighed heavily on me, highlighting the long-established expectations. Sebastian had been working under his father, learning the ropes with the aim of one day taking over the family business. It was all part of a grand plan—two powerful families merging. not just in their personal lives, but with their similar business empires. In their eyes, my relationship with Sebastian wasn’t just a love story, it was a strategic move. A way to solidify alliances and ensure mutual success.

Taking a deep breath, I tried to voice my feelings, though my voice was still timid. “What if I don’t want any of that, Mom?”

She laughed. A light, dismissive sound. “Don’t be ridiculous, darling. Of course, you do.”

Her casual dismissal stung, a familiar pain that sparked anger deep within me. For years, my parents had dismissed my desires, and I had often let it slide for the sake of keeping the peace. But this time, something felt different. My mother continued, seemingly oblivious to my rising frustration .

“Sebastian’s mother agrees with me. She thinks this breakup is just a silly phase. We all do. You’re just going through something and, once you’re back, everything will be fine again.”

I clenched the phone tighter, trying to keep my voice steady. “Mom, Sebastian and I weren’t working. We had different goals, and it wasn’t fair to either of us. I need to figure things out on my own. This isn’t just a break, it’s a break up , and I need you to understand that.”

She continued as if I hadn’t spoken. “Sebastian is a great catch, Lavinia. At your age, I was already married and expecting you. Maybe your father and I have been too lenient, letting you pursue that art degree and giving you too much freedom. Perhaps that’s why you’re acting this way.”

Her words felt like a slap, the blame on my choices and passions cutting deep. I gritted my teeth, trying to maintain my composure. “Mom, I—”

“Maybe I should talk to Sebastian’s family. We’re seeing them for dinner next week, and they might help you see reason. You’re clearly not thinking straight. You can’t just walk away from this.”

The pressure in my chest built until it was unbearable. “Just stop!” I yelled, my voice echoing in the quiet cottage. The silence that followed was heavy, my mother’s stunned reaction palpable even through the phone. There was a muffled sound as she likely covered the receiver, and I heard the click of a door closing. It was a familiar move, masking any sign of discord in front of others.

“Well,” she finally said, her voice trembling slightly, “things must be worse than I thought. I’ve never heard you speak to me like this before.”

“You weren’t listening to me. You never do,” I said, my voice strained with frustration and hurt. “It seems like you care more about appearances, and your social circle, than your own daughter.”

“Darling—” my mother began, but I cut her off .

“No, let me finish. If you knew me at all, if we actually had a two-sided conversation, you would’ve seen how miserable I was with Sebastian. This past year was hell ! You were too busy with your friends, or at those fancy dinners with Dad, to notice me coming home in tears because Sebastian stood me up again. At your galas, you were so obsessed with keeping up appearances that you missed the nasty comments from Sebastian’s friends, the ones who made me feel like I didn’t belong!”

I sighed, the anger easing into a weary sadness. “You knew I was seeing a therapist. You paid for it! But you never asked why. It was because of Sebastian, and partly because of you and Dad. I felt alone and depressed. I was so isolated, without friends of my own—just the same social circles as Sebastian. He didn’t like the girls I met in college, and he always made me cancel plans with them. I was so lonely, and all I wanted was for you to notice, to be there for me, but you weren’t.”

The silence on the other end was deafening. Then, in a defensive tone, she said, “Well, how was I supposed to know? You should have told me. It’s not my fault I didn’t know.”

The dismissal in her words stung, but I could hear a crack, a sliver of doubt. Still, it wasn’t enough. I needed to end this before I broke down completely. “I have to go. There’s a town meeting I need to attend.”

“A town meeting?” she scoffed. “How quaint.”

“Goodbye, Mom,” I said, trying to wrap up the conversation, but she cut me off.

“Just think about what I said, Lavinia,” she pressed, her voice softer but still insistent. “This doesn’t have to be like this. We can fix everything when you come home.”

A wave of exhaustion washed over me. “Sure, Mom. ”

“Call me again soon,” she continued, her tone regaining its composed edge. “And maybe your father can join us. We need to have a serious discussion about your future.”

The thought of a conversation with my father made my stomach churn. Our talks were always stiff, like a formal evaluation. “Okay,” I mumbled, just wanting the call to end.

As I finally hung up, a heavy silence filled the room. Despite the tension and frustration from the conversation, a strange sense of relief washed over me. For the first time, I had stood up to my mother, expressing my true feelings rather than keeping them bottled up. Letting out all that frustration felt like a release and, for a moment, I felt lighter.

The idea of opening the gallery had been a mere fantasy, but after standing my ground, it felt more like a tangible possibility. I knew it wouldn’t be easy, especially breaking the news to my parents, but the decision filled me with nervous excitement and determination. I had time to prepare for the inevitable confrontation, to find the right words and muster the courage. For now, the thought of pursuing something that was entirely my own was intoxicating.

The town meeting, which I’d originally used as a convenient excuse to escape the call, suddenly felt like a crucial next step. If I was serious about staying in Hallow’s End and opening a gallery, I needed to immerse myself in the community. The meeting was an opportunity to connect with the people here, to understand the town better, and to plant the seeds of my new life.

I grabbed my coat and headed out the door. It was time to make my own choices and take control of my future, starting tonight.