Static crackled. A faint, unmistakable moan in the background.
Evan laughed darkly. "Oh, and bring a box of condoms. Strawberry. Your favorite."
My hand tightened around the phone until my knuckles turned white.
Before I could breathe, a stinging slap whipped across my face.
"Shameless!"
Catherine Delgado's eyes blazed with undisguised loathing.
"As the eldest daughter-in-law of this family, you are useless. You can't even advise your own husband. Instead, you indulge him—letting him drink and revel all over town, dragging the Delgado name through the mud."
Her voice climbed to a shrill pitch. "You couldn't keep the child. You couldn't keep your husband's heart."
She stepped closer, her presence suffocating. "I kept you by Evan's side for a reason. If you can't fulfill your duty, what use are you?"
Her hand lashed out. The blow landed with a merciless crack, surprising strength behind it.
A metallic tang flooded my mouth. Blood.
She raised her hand again.
This time, I didn't flinch. I caught her wrist mid-swing.
"Grandmother." My voice came out steady despite the adrenaline. "If you have energy to blame me, use it to manage your precious grandson instead."
Her eyes went wide.