Page 100 of The Perfect Melody

I rush down the last few steps of the wide staircase in time to interrupt Miranda snapping at Thomas.

“Miranda, that’s enough.”

Her eyes lock onto me immediately, giving my denim shorts and loose white t-shirt a once-over and finding me lacking. “It’s about time.”

Looking at her, you’d never guess she’s been travelling. As expected, Miranda’s in one of her signature suits, dagger-sharp heels, and her hair and makeup look like they were done by a team of professionals even though I know that isn’t the case. Her dark, shoulder-length hair is glossy, and her ever-present red lipstick adds just the right amount of drama to her look.

Ant stands just behind her left shoulder in his typical black t-shirt, black jeans, and combat boots. His face is unreadable as he watches the drama unfolding in front of him. Could he be here to make me go back to Nashville? Is he really upset enough with me to take Miranda’s side? No. He wouldn’t have warned me they were coming only to betray me now, right?

“You’re disrupting Esther’s business.” I turn to my right, where the woman in question is steering her husband out ofthe firing line and behind the reception desk. “Could we use the dining room to talk?”

“Of course, it’s empty.”

“I’m not setting foot any further into this dump.” Miranda sneers.

“Do not disrespect my friend’s place of business.” In the time I’ve been in town, Esther has behaved more like a mother to me than Miranda ever has. I will not stand for her being treated badly. “If you want to be angry with someone, be angry at me.”

“Oh, I am. Do you have any idea what you’ve done?” She steps closer. “I cannot believe that you abandoned your responsibilities all to run away to the middle of nowhere to work in abarof all places. Then you have the nerve to perform in your current state. You look dreadful.”

“Excuseyou—” Bailey begins, stepping up beside me, but I hold up a hand, letting her know I’ve got this. I can feel rather than see her step back to stand in line with Liam, and it’s easy to imagine the dirty looks the two of them are shooting my mother.

“There’s nothing wrong with how I look. Sure, it’s not what you and the label want. Well, I’ve got some news for you—I don’t care what you want anymore.”

If looks could kill, hers would flay me alive. “After everything I’ve done for you, this is how you treat me?”

“You mean after everything you’ve done foryou,” I correct.

She has the nerve to pretend my words wound her. “Melody, I worked so hard to make your success happen, and you’re throwing it all away. I won’t stand by and watch you destroy what we’ve built. Your image is everyth?—”

“I’ve told you not to call me Melody. My name is Cassandra—you should know, you gave it to me. It’s the only thing you’ve given me worth keeping.”

There’s movement behind her, and I see Austin walk inside. Shit, I should have texted him to let him know Miranda washere, but I forgot. I turn my head to look at where Esther and Thomas stand behind the reception desk, looking like they’re ready to toss my mother out of here. One of them must have called him.

Austin’s eyes meet mine with a silent question.You good?

I nod. She might tower over me in her designer heels, but now, with my friends at my back and Austin across from me, Miranda no longer has the power to make me feel small. I’m finally ready to stand up to her once and for all.

“I have done?—”

Interrupting her argument before she can really get going, I continue, “Iworked hard for my success. I lived like a prisoner whileyouspentmymoney. My success ismineand mine alone.”

Realising the ‘poor me’ act isn’t going to get her anywhere, Miranda tosses her pin-straight hair over her shoulder, a nasty glint in her eyes. “You need me. Do you honestly believe you can get a deal for another album without me?”

“I don’t think that’s going to be a problem, but if it is, I’ll produce my own album. It’s not like I don’t have the money.”

She scoffs. “You don’t have the slightest idea what it takes to?—”

“I know exactly what it takes. Unlike what you and the label seem to believe, I am not a puppet incapable of doing anything without your guidance. I am a professional, and it’s about time you start respecting that.”

“What have you ever done to earn my respect?” Sounds of outrage come from where Liam and Bailey stand behind me, but that only encourages her. I might be the performer, but my mother has always loved an audience. “I made you what you are. Nobody will ever take you seriously on your own. You’re all sparkle and no substance.”

“You made the old version of me. She’s not here anymore.”

Miranda’s anger turns her face an alarming shade of red. She’d be even more furious to learn her flushed skin clashes with her lipstick. “Melody, you have always been stupid, but this goes above and beyond, even by your standards. You are not different. You’re notspecial,” she spits. “You will always be a whining little girl desperate for attention. Without me, you’ll never?—”

“I’m going to be just fine without you.”

“Stop interrupting me!” Her hands ball into fists at her sides and she honest to God stomps her foot.