"You don't know what you're talkin' about, mother."

My mother began to pace up and down. "Your uncle tried to make excuses for you. Even Micah was okay that you couldn't be there, but I wasn't. You should have been there."

"Well, I wasn't and you know somethin'? I don't care that I wasn't there. Me and Micah are not close ma, I don't think we ever will be. I can't stand Jason, he is a disgustin' person so when the opportunity came for me to leave the resort I took it. So sue me."

My mother snarled, "You always think about yourself."

I laughed. "No, ma, I don't think about meself enough."

"I can't believe I birthed such an evil cow."

Her words stung but I could do nothing but laugh.

"That is all you ever did. You gave birth to me, that's it as far as bein' a mother goes for you."

"Why you ungrateful little, bitch! I gave you everything growing up!"

I exploded.

"You gave me toys and other materialistic things! You never gave me love. You made me feel like a burden, you still make me feel like a burden and I'm fuckin' done with it. I'm done with you!"

My mother stepped back like I’d slapped her.

"What would you do without me?"

I looked at Alec and smiled. "I will be happy."

My mother looked at Alec then back at me.

"Fine, enjoy your little romance but when it goes belly up and this one leaves you for a better looking woman don't come crying to me."

The fucking nerve!

"I can assure you, you will be the last person I ever go to for help or comfort."

My mother took a step closer to me. "You're like your scumbag father, impossible to love."

I wanted to cry but I refused.

"You know what, ma? It's doesn't matter what you say or think about me. What matters is the way I feel about myself and I fuckin' love meself!" I said with my chest pushed out and my head held high.

"I love herself as well, just putting that out there."

I stood a bit taller when Alec came to my side and put his arm around my waist.

"This won't last," my mother hissed.

"Get out of me house and don't ever come back."

My mother stayed put.

Alec cleared his throat. "I believe my fiancee asked you to leave, ma'am."

My mother was so shocked at Alec's declaration that she only stared at us both.

I moved away from Alec and walked to the door, opening it wide.

"Goodbye, mother."

My mother composed herself and stuck her chin out. She left my apartment and turned to face me before she walked down the hallway. "I won't miss you."

I swallowed. "I feel sorry for you. You're a bitter woman with nobody. I have a fiancé and a new family that means a million times more to me than you ever did. Have a nice life mother, because I sure as hell will."

I closed the door in her face and froze.

Did that just happen?

"Kitten?"

I took a deep breath. "I'm fine, I'm okay."

I turned to Alec and smiled, but at the same time tears fell from my eyes.

"Baby," Alec whispered.

I moved to him and wrapped my arms around his body.

"I'm not sad, I'm relieved."

Alec kissed the crown of my head. "I'm proud of you."

I hugged him tightly. "I'm proud of me too."

We were silent for a few minutes until Alec spoke.

"You know what I think you should do now?"

"What?"

"Forgive Micah and Jason."

Excuse me?

I pulled back from Alec. "What?"

"I know it seems crazy, but you just made peace with yourself and released yourself from you mother. It's time to do the same with Micah and Jason. You don't have to like them or involve them in your life, but you should forgive them."

I widened my eyes. "You want me to forgive him for doin' me wrong and forgive her for treaten' me like dirt all me life?"

Alec nodded his head. "Yeah, I do. I care about you so much Keela, and I refuse to watch you become a hateful person because of them. You don't have to like them, but forgive them."

I felt my eyes well up. "But why? Why can't I just hate them?"

Alec stepped forward and took me in his arms. "Holding a grudge is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die. It eats away at you until it consumes you completely."

I frowned.

"Weak people seek revenge, strong people forgive, and intelligent people ignore. Which one are you?" Alec asked me.

I thought about it for a moment then said, "I'm all three. I'm a strong, intelligent person who sometimes has weak moments."

"You know what that makes you?"

I shook my head.

Alec smiled. "It makes you human, kitten."

I processed what he said; it took me a few minutes but I eventually nodded my head.

He was right.

I closed my eyes and thought about Micah and Jason. I thought about how horrible Micah was to me all my life, and how cruel Jason was. Even though nothing would change the past, I just thought about the three simple words that would change how I shaped my future.

I forgive you.

I wouldn't let Micah get me down anymore.

I forgive you.

I wouldn't let Jason have a hold over me anymore.

I forgive you.

I wouldn't let either of them have any impact on my life, none whatsoever.

I forgive you.

I blinked open my eyes and smiled at Alec. "I think it will take some time to be uncarin' when it comes to them, but I forgive them... Besides, Micah said at the weddin' she was workin' on not actin' like such a bitch all the time. There may be hope for her yet."

Alec kissed my forehead. "You're free, kitten."

I exhaled. "I feel it."

"Well, you're semi-free. I put a ring on it after all."

I looked down to my engagement ring and laughed.

Alec nuzzled his nose against mine. "I love you to Neptune and back."

I leaned up and kissed Alec's lips. "I love you, too."

"Come to bed," Alec's voice suddenly broke the silence of the night.

I got such a fright I almost came up off the settee.

The kitchen light flicked on and made me squint until my eyes adjusted.

"I don't like you being with other men, so come to bed. Now."

Other men?

Was he high?

"What are you talkin' about?" I asked, quizzically.

Alec grunted. "The guy's you write about and spend all your time with lately may be fictional, but it counts as spending time with other men so come to bed now."

I let a huge smile take over my face. That was the most adorable thing he has ever said to me.

Besides the penguin story of course.

"I'm beta reading Something Sweet by MJ Morphis."

"MJ... Is that Mary, the blonde women on your Facebook page?" Alec asked and I nodded my head.

"Did she write that book that had the nipple butter scene in it?" Alec laughed.

I snickered. "No, that was Yessi's book, Love, Always."

Alec hummed.

"What is happening with your book?"

I shrugged. "It's being beta read for plot holes and such. I'll put it on me Kindle tomorrow so you can read it, okay?"

Alec nodded his head then flicked his eyes to my laptop.