Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 98255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 491(@200wpm)___ 393(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 491(@200wpm)___ 393(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
Aria sighed. She didn’t even have to look at everyone else’s plate to know they had a good serving of mashed potatoes, roast potatoes, maple roast parsnips, stuffing, and then the few vegetables. Oh, well. The sooner she ate everything on her plate, the faster she could make her escape.
Aria cut into the beef and shoved it in her mouth. Her mother was a good cook. She chopped the sprouts and took bites of them, followed by the carrots. Isabella was talking animatedly about her honeymoon and the journey they had. Aria was more than happy for her. Delighted, in fact.
“Go ahead, honey, tell them,” her husband said.
She already had an idea as to why she’d been called to her parents’ house.
“We’re pregnant,” Isabella said.
There was a squeal from their mother, and Aria smiled, looking over at her sister. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you,” Isabella said.
That was all they got to say to one another before their mother cupped Isabella’s face and started to kiss her. Aria sipped her water as their father shook Michael’s hand. With her parents happy, Aria made her escape and headed toward the kitchen to grab the wine as a celebration.
“Hey, Aria,” Isabella said.
She looked up at her sister.
“Hey, so congratulations. Wow, you’re going to be a mother.”
Isabella put a hand on her still-flat stomach. “I know. It’s crazy, isn’t it?”
Aria shook her head. “No, not at all.”
Her sister moved closer and pulled her in for a hug. “I’ve missed you.”
She laughed. “There’s nothing to miss. You know that. I am so happy for you, and trust me, I can’t wait to meet my niece or nephew.”
“I’m terrified of this pregnancy. What if it’s a girl and I screw up?”
“You’re a girl, so you know how you want a mother to be.” Aria had no choice but to keep a smile on her face. She didn’t want to advise Isabella not to be like their mother. “We better get back.” She wanted to bring this conversation to a close and very fast.
Stepping into the dining room, her mother was already there with a piece of paper.
“Now, I know your figure is important to you, Isabella. Don’t you worry. I was able to have two girls and still stay in shape.”
Aria felt sick to her stomach. Isabella wasn’t even showing and already their mother was putting her on a pregnancy diet.
“With all due respect, Mrs. Taylor,” Michael said. “We have an appointment booked with a doctor. The last thing on our minds is a diet.”
“Trust me, Michael, you will want me to keep on top of this. No man wants a woman who looks like Aria.”
Aria stood there and put the wine down on the table. This was not unheard of. Of course it wasn’t. No man wanted Aria. It was why at twenty-five years old, she hadn’t been on a single date, nor had a boyfriend, nor had sex. What kind of man would want to see her repulsive body?
You went on a date. With Grant.
Aria didn’t even know if that counted or if Grant was just being nice to her because of them knowing each other at work. Either way, she wasn’t going to stick around here.
“I’ve got to go,” Aria said. “Congratulations, you two. I’m so happy for you. Mom, dinner was delicious. See you, Dad.”
Aria made her escape quickly.
“Aria, please don’t go.” Isabella had stepped outside to follow her.
Aria pulled her jacket on as she hadn’t lingered inside to risk the jibes from her mother. “I have to go. I’ve got work and other stuff to do. It’s nothing personal.”
“I know it’s not. Mom is wrong, you know. You’re beautiful and you will find a man.”
“Who can put up with my ugly fat ass?” Aria asked.
“Don’t.”
“Did you see the wedding photos?” She looked toward her sister, who was frowning. “Ah, I see you haven’t. Trust me, it’s best if you go back inside with Mom. This is what she wants.”
“What about what I want?” Isabella asked.
“What do you want, Isabella?” Aria was struggling to keep it together. She was so used to these personal attacks from her mother, all of them verbal about how she looked, how much she weighed, but they still hurt. Normally, she could contain her tears until she was alone, but today that was a real struggle. Isabella wasn’t allowing her to escape fast enough.
“I wanted my sister to be with me. You know, to help me through.”
“I will be. I’m only a phone call away. We both know Mom would prefer you to call her.”
“You do know she’s wrong, don’t you?”
Aria shook her head. “Mom is always right.”
She turned on her heel and walked away from her parents’ house. It was Sunday, so going to work wasn’t ideal. Phil and Andy preferred her to have one day off. Her only day off, and her presence had been demanded by their parents. If she was a child, she’d have stamped her foot on the ground and declared the world wasn’t fair.