No.
No, she would not.
Would she?
A slow smile pulled at the corners of her mouth. Not warm. Not embarrassed. Triumphant. It was the expression of someone who thought the game had already been won.
She leaned in slightly, lowering her voice into a soft little whisper that was meant to sound intimate and helpful.
“Well, here, of course.”
She swept one hand around the living room, taking in the house, the flowers, the dress, our life.
“It just makes sense. After the ceremony, I’m moving in. It’ll be much easier for me to help you two get started on the right foot.”
I felt the floor disappear under me.
The blood drained out of my face so fast it made me dizzy. The roses suddenly smelled too sweet, too thick, almost sickening.
I could only stare at her.
Moving in.
The words echoed through my mind like a dropped glass shattering in slow motion.
She must have seen the look on my face because she patted my arm in a way that made my skin crawl.
“Don’t look so shocked, dear. We’re family now.”
My voice, when it finally came, was barely more than a whisper.
“No. Absolutely not.”
I stepped back and pulled my phone from my pocket with trembling fingers.
“Liam and I never discussed this. You are not moving in here.”
Brenda only gave a low, scratchy chuckle.
“Oh, sweetie, call him. Go right ahead.”
The phone rang once. Twice.
Then Liam answered, cheerful and distracted.
“Hey, babe. You will not believe this traffic. Got the cuff links, though. Everything okay?”
“No,” I said, and my voice cracked on the word. “No, Liam. Nothing is okay. Your mother is here.”
I swallowed hard and looked at the mountain of boxes invading my home.
“She says she’s moving in with us.”
There was a pause.
Then Liam’s voice tightened instantly.
“What? No. That’s insane. Put her on the phone.”
Relief rushed through me so hard it almost made my knees give way. I held the phone out to Brenda like it was proof that sanity still existed.
“He wants to talk to you.”
She took it with maddening calm.
“Hello, sweetie,” she cooed. “Yes, I’m here. I just brought a few things over. No, no, she’s being a little dramatic. You know how brides can be.”
She listened for a moment, then glanced at me. Her eyes glittered.
“Liam, darling, don’t you remember our little chat last month? You promised. You promised me I would always have a place with you.”
When she handed the phone back, she did it with the expression of a woman who had just confirmed a lunch reservation.
“You see?” she said softly, already turning toward the U-Haul again. “It’s all been arranged.”
I stood there frozen, staring at her back as she walked away.