Chapter 4
My mother stiffened.
Margot knew my grades were great, but not top-ten-in-the-state great. She was setting a bar she knew I'd miss just so she could watch me fail to reach it.
To Margot, however, this wasn't a genuine question. She was setting the bar impossibly high just to watch me fail to clear it.
"I'll get in," I said, my tone as casual as if I were commenting on the weather. "If I perform the way I usually do, it shouldn't be an issue."
Margot blinked, clearly caught off guard by my bluntness.
She let out a strained laugh. "Well, confidence is great. Really. But you're a girl, Darla. Don't put too much pressure on yourself.
"Just get into a decent state school, find a good man, and settle down. That's what really matters in the long run."
My mom's face darkened.
"Margot," she said, her voice quiet but sharp with warning. "My daughter's future is her own business, and she has our full support.
"If there isn't anything else, I'm afraid I won't be able to have you stay for dinner tonight."
That was the polite version of "get out."
The smile on Margot's face froze, but she recovered quickly.
She stood up, brushing a non-existent speck of dust from her silk dress. "Fine, fine. I'll head out then. Oh, and Ophelia, once the final scores are in, I'm hosting a huge celebration for Roman at The Sterling Ballroom.
"You and Darla simply must come. I've already booked the main hall. It's going to be quite the affair."
She reached the door and glanced back at me with a meaningful smirk. "Make sure to wear something pretty, Darla. I'll introduce you to some boys from good families."
The door clicked shut.
My mother stood in the hallway and let out a long, frustrated sigh.
"What a piece of work," she muttered, turning to me with a look of pure maternal fierce protection. "Darla, don't listen to a word she says.
"I know exactly how much more capable you are than Roman Pierce."
I walked over and gave her a tight squeeze.
In my previous life, after I'd made the mistake of marrying into that family, Margot had made my life a living hell.
My mother had endured countless slights and backhanded compliments, always forcing a smile for my sake.
Not this time.
This time, no one was going to make her feel small.
"Mom," I whispered against her shoulder. "We're going to that party."
She pulled back, confused. "You actually want to go? Haven't you had enough of her?"
"Oh, we're going," I said with a smile.
I wouldn't miss it for the world.
*****
The day of the final exams arrived under a light drizzle.
The entrance to the testing center was a mess of SUVs and parents dropping off kids.
Inside the hall, I listened to the rain, took three slow breaths, and opened my test booklet.
In my previous life, I had been a "good" student, but not elite.
This time was different. Over the last forty days, I had scrubbed every weakness from my memory.
Every trick question that had stumped me before now had a clear answer.
When I finished, my mind was calm. I knew I had nailed it.
By the time the session ended, the sun had broken through the clouds. I walked out and saw the crowd of parents waiting in their cars.
My mother was standing by the oak tree with a Starbucks iced latte. Her eyes lit up when she saw me.
"How was it?" she asked, her fingers trembling as she handed me the drink.
I took a sip. "It was great," I said. "Better than usual."
Her eyes welled up. "Let's go," she said. "I'm making your favorite dinner."
A few yards away, Margot's voice boomed across the sidewalk. "Roman said the math section was a breeze. He's looking at a perfect 1600, gua ranteed!"
My mother hesitated.
"Don't bother with her," I said, pulling her toward the car.
The two weeks leading up to the results were Margot's peak.