Blossom in Winter (Blossom in Winter #1)(102)

A big grin emerges on my face, and I text him back. Hi, Merry Christmas! Yes, having dinner now. I’m so happy! That’s great. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow. Love you so damn much.

“Why are you smiling like that? Any good news to share?” asks Mom, sitting right in front of me.

“Well...” I lock my iPhone and turn it facedown. “I’m not sure if you really want to know…”

“Of course I do. What is it?”

I’m still pondering, my expression hesitant, but I remember I’m finally an adult and, at least here in the Netherlands, I don’t need anyone’s consent anymore. I take a deep breath and proudly say, “Alex and I are getting engaged soon, Mom.”

“What?” She loudly puts down her silver spoon, gaping in horror, her eyes enraged. “This is a joke, right? Have you lost your mind?” I remain speechless. “Did you… Did you have sex with him?” Now I break eye contact, looking down at my plate. “Oh, dear Lord! Are you fucking insane?”

Wow. I’ve never heard Mom swear and scream like that before. Never. She has always been nothing but a lady. I’m in shock. “Dad’s okay with it.”

“You can’t be serious! I can’t believe it! Petra, listen—”

“No, you listen! I’m not seven anymore, Mom! I’m eighteen, and I’m tired of hiding my relationship with him. I can legally get married. So stop with your bigotry.”

Mom takes a deep breath, rubs her eyelids, and tries to calm herself down. After all, we know screaming won’t solve anything. “My little angel”—she has switched to her most complaisant tone— “you know I care about you more than anything in this world, right? But don’t you think your relationship with this man is evolving a bit too fast?” She pauses, shaking her head. “This obsession you have for your godfather is becoming a mental illness. You need to get treated.”

“Mom, this mental illness is called love. I’m sorry if you’ve never been ill like me.”

“Petra, you’re way too young, and he is way too old. Forget it. I won’t let you ruin your life! Call it bigotry all you want!”

“You might not understand what it means to be an adult, but it means I can do what I want, including getting married to the man I want. Plus, Dad has been supportive.”

Mom looks down, thinking something through. “So your dad's approval is the only thing that matters?”

“Since he and Alex are best friends and business associates, yes.”

“Petra, look, I have to tell you something…” She removes her glasses, rubs her eyelids once more, and puts them back on.

I sigh in annoyance. “What now?”

“I went to visit a friend… She is gifted… She sees things—visions. She predicted I’d have only one child, a daughter, and she also predicted my divorce… This relationship is going to destroy you, my dear. She predicted your…” Her eyes watering, Mom tilts her head back and sniffles.

“My what?” I ask, rolling my eyes. Such drama!

“Your death, Petra.”

“Unbelievable, the lies you tell! You’re the one who is mentally ill, Mom.”

“I swear it’s true. She said your relationship with that man will only bring misfortune.”

“Look, you can bring thousands of prophets in to tell me my relationship with Alex will destroy me. I wouldn’t care less.”

“Why are you so stubborn?” She punches the table with her fists, shaking the silverware. “So blind, so naive! Why that man? Why?”

“Because I love him!” I snap louder. “I want to be his wife!” I take a deep breath and exhale. “I don’t want to be introduced as his girlfriend, his fiancée, or worse, his goddaughter. I want the world to know I’m his wife. I always knew I’d marry him, you know that.”

“Petra, that man… that family…” She shakes her head in disgust. “You know nothing about them. Believe me, nothing!”

“I know I love him, and he loves me.” Shit. I forgot to tell her about the dinner tomorrow. Oh God, Mom’s gonna hate me. “And by the way,” I pause for a beat, “I’m having dinner tomorrow at his family’s estate. Dad’s also attending… I’m sorry I won’t be able to join you.” I look at my plate, expecting the worst.

“Oh, brilliant!” She punches the table again. “Now my daughter is spending Christmas at the Van Dierens’ instead of with her own mother! Don’t you see what he is doing? He’s literally showing off that he can control you!” She exhales loudly. Afterward, a freezing silence settles while Mom seems to be consumed by her thoughts. “Petra,” she calls icily. “Alexander is a manipulative man, and a dangerous one.”

“Pffff...” I shake my head, tired of such nonsense. “Mom, stop. Enough of your drama. They’re having a dinner tomorrow for Christmas, and they invited me over. That’s all. Relax.”

“The Van Dierens never invite outsiders for Christmas. That’s one of their rules. And by now you should know how much they love rules, contracts, and so on, no?”

“I’m not an outsider. Anyway, I’m going to leave tomorrow in the late afternoon, instead of the twenty-sixth. I’m sorry if it bothers you.”