31 Chapter 31 TRASH IN SILK
“Congrats,” Maya said coolly. “What a world-altering achievement. You must be so proud. Would you like a cookie?” The way she said it made it sound like Celeste had drawn on the walls and was expecting praise.
She rolled her eyes. “Actually, you do,” she said matter-of-factly.
“You look great,” he beamed, and then his eyes widened. “What are you wearing?”
And I liked it. It felt so fucking amazing.
His smile faded slightly. “I wish I could have been there, though. We’re always.together on your birthday.”
“That’s okay, Danny. I love it, thank you.”
I held the phone out so he could see properly. “They’re my training clothes.”
“Have you… spoken to your dad?”
We had just finished our purchases-Maya insisting I take two gowns and four ridiculous pairs of heels I could barely walk in-when the day took an inevitable turn.
I smiled. “Thank you, baby.”
“Woah!” Daniel gawked, his eyes wide in a way that made me swell with pride. “You look like an action hero.”
She looped her arm through mine and tugged me in the opposite direction.
I wanted to keep protesting, but the smile she gave me was so disarming. I let her pull me into the explosion of sparkles and silk, my reservations dissolving with every glittering
step.
I nodded. “Sooner than you think. I can’t wait.”
No one had ever cared to dress me like this before. I was never invited to balls or galas when I was with Kieran.
Maya took a step back, standing at my side as Celeste bristled with barely contained
anger.
31 Chapter 31 TRASH IN SILK
My eyes watered as he said, “Grandma said I couldn’t send it to you for security reasons.”
“For the gala,” she said like it was obvious. “Lucian’s hosting one in a few weeks. Formal dress, full glam.” She gestured into the store with a flourish. “The works.”
He looked back at me, and I hated that his bright countenance had dulled. “Did he even wish you a happy birthday? I told him he has to treat you better.”
Celeste was flanked by two shadows-I recognized them as Emma and Abby. Growing up, I’d mentally referred to them as Gretchen Wieners and Karen Smith because when all three of them were together, they reminded me of the plastics from the movie Mean Girls.
The boutique she led me to was the kind of place I usually passed by without even looking in. Silks, sequins, and shoes that looked more like art than footwear. I hesitated in the doorway, but Maya tugged me forward.
I smiled, glancing at the pile of flowers and gifts on my bed. I tilted the camera so Daniel could see. “I did. My friends threw me a surprise party.”
The tension in his face eased. “Okay, good. I’m glad he did. Maybe I’ll talk to him again.”
I started to protest. “Maya, I-this sounds expensive. I can’t-”
Maya stood on my porch in… a dress.
I looked… beautiful.
I shook my head in disbelief. “But… why?”
I flinched, the comment hitting harder than it should have. Old reflexes kicked in, and I felt myself begin to shrink.
“So tell me more about your party!” he said, his excitement returning.
Emma’s eyes widened, and then she was the one shrinking, withering under Maya’s glare.
“You ready for our big shopping spree?” she asked, eyes gleaming.
I laughed. “Don’t sound so surprised.”
2/7
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31 Chapter 31 TRASH IN SILK
Oh.
Something twisted in my belly as I went down to answer the door. I swear, if Kieran or Celeste decided they wanted to pull any of their shit on my birthday-
Emma smirked. “Doesn’t matter what she wears, Celeste. Trash in silk is still trash.”
I smiled softly. “That’s a good idea. I’m proud of you, baby.”
She pushed her oversized sunglasses up on her head and grinned. “Hi, birthday girl.”
It was a sleek, black tactical set with silver rune detailing and armored accents. Complete with fingerless gloves, combat boots, and a cropped leather jacket I never actually wore
to train.
“I do?”
“Uhm…” I debated whether the topic I was about to broach was a good idea, but decided to go ahead anyway.
“Mom! Happy birthday!”
I laughed. “That’s a bit of a stretch.”
“Well, well, well.” She glanced at the bags in our hands and scoffed. “Look who’s playing dress up.”
I blinked. “Shopping?”
She always looked formidable in her training clothes, but in her halter dress, strappy sandals, and her curly hair in a wild afro around her head, she looked like a goddess.
My new friend slipped her arm in mine. “Come on, Sera,” she said. “It’s reeks of insecurity and desperation.”
We ran into her.
She nodded. “Yep!”
I thought it was a bit of overkill, but Maya said the first step to feeling like a badass was to dress like one.
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31 Chapter 31 TRASH IN SILK
And Celeste, reprising her role as Regina George, looked us up and down with a sneer.
Celeste didn’t seem as fazed, but her laugh lacked its usual bite. “You think dressing her up changes anything? Kieran’s already made his choice. I’m his Luna.”
“So tell me,” he said. “Did you have a good birthday?”
He gasped in delight. “Friends?”
I couldn’t help but smile. “Sorry, I just—”
“Nope. Today isn’t about utility. It’s about indulgence. This way.”
I sighed. No matter what went on between me and Kieran, I didn’t want my son harboring resentment towards his dad.
At first, I felt ridiculous. The gowns clung too tightly, shimmered too brightly. But then I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror-wearing something backless and emerald green -and something stirred.
Celeste’s eyes flashed, but she didn’t say another word as Maya pulled me away.
She waved it off. “Lucian’s covering it. Said it’s your reward for surviving his sadistic training regimen.” She winked. “And mine.”
The confrontation was none of his business. He didn’t need to know about Kieran’s cruel words or how Celeste ripped into me yet again.
Celeste was where she belonged-behind me.
I blinked, processing his words.
My mouth opened, and an incredulous sound fell out.
Maya gently flicked my forehead, snapping me back to the present. “We’re going to have to do something about all this noise in your head,” she tsked.
“Say that again,” she hissed, her voice low. Dangerous. “But this time, to my face and see what happens.”
But hearing Maya call herself my friend had to be the best part of today.
31 Chapter 31 TRASH IN SILK
“He did text. He wished me a happy birthday,” I said gently, stamping the resentment that suddenly rose in me.
I could feel the burn of glares on my back, but I didn’t look back.
We spoke for a while longer before finally hanging up after he promised to call Kieran
again.
“Yeah, yeah.” She braced her hands on my shoulders and spun me around. “Go change!” But Maya stepped forward, fire in her eyes, and suddenly, despite the dress and heels, she was my formidable trainer, the fiercest person I knew.
I had no other friends, and after marriage, all I had was Daniel.
As far as I was concerned, I exaggerated earlier for Daniel’s benefit.
He briefly disappeared from the screen and returned with a large cardboard with ‘HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!’ designed with sparkly markers and little cartoon caricatures I assumed
were me.
He shook his head. “No, I just…” His smile was so wide it crinkled his eyes shut, pure joy lighting up his face. “I’m so glad you have friends, Mom. You deserve that.”
“But I’ll be back soon,” he said. “Right?”
Kieran might have been a distant husband and an even worse ex, but he was a good father, recent actions notwithstanding.
Daniel didn’t need that weight on his little shoulders.
I beamed. “Thank you, my love.”
“Where do you think you’re going?”
I rushed back inside the house, a giddy smile on my face.
“Shopping?” My answer came out as a question because Maya was looking at me like I’d grown two horns.
SERAPHINA’S POV
31 Chapter 31 TRASH IN SILK
His family made sure I was tucked out of sight-an embarrassment, their secret shame.
I snuggled into my pillows, a contented smile on my face. It had been a good day. A really, really good day.
“Oh, baby. I wish you were here too.” He always made my birthday slightly less miserable.
But now? Now, I was being seen.
Daniel’s smile immediately faded, and he looked away without answering.
They all had the things I needed-clothes, shoes, home essentials.
Gods, I hoped so.
The doorbell rang through the house, breaking me out of my reverie.
I paused, blinking in confusion at the row of department stores in front of me-Macy’s, Nordstrom, and Clarks.
“I don’t need all this, Maya,” I said, my eyes wide.
***
A part of me was skeptical. I knew I deserved happiness, but was I truly allowed?
So that was why Kieran sent that message. It hadn’t come from remorse or sentiment-it was to look good in Daniel’s eyes.
“Honey,” I said softly. “You should talk with your dad, okay? He loves you, and he’s super sorry about missing the PTC.”
“But… I don’t-”
Daniel’s face lit up the moment the video connected. Just seeing him grinning like that filled my chest with something warm and bubbly.
She sighed in mild exasperation. “Oh, you clueless sweetheart.’
That word-friends-resonated within me like a gong.
She laughed. “Do friends need a reason to hang out? Do I need a reason to spoil my friend on her birthday?”
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31 Chapter 31 TRASH IN SILK
When I was younger, back when she merely tolerated me as opposed to the scalding hatred she now bore for me, I was like… an accessory for Celeste.
I let her guide me forward, our heels clicking against the polished floor like punctuation
marks.
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