Free Sleeping Beauty by Maureen McGowan

by those monsters with no way to defend herself. At least now she can fight.”
    â€œThe curse won’t happen!” Stefan yelled. “I won’t allow it! From now on, I make all the decisions about Lucette’s care.”
    â€œNo, you won’t.” Her mother’s voice rose. “She’s my daughter, too!”

    â€œBut I can keep her safe. I’ll request a meeting with Natasha. I’ll talk her into lifting the curse. Maybe enough time has passed since I last asked. Maybe she’ll see she’s punished us enough.”
    â€œNatasha won’t speak to you.” Her mother’s voice was hard and cruel.
    â€œHow do you know if I don’t try? Unlike you, I will not take it as fate that our daughter is doomed. What kind of mother are you?”
    Listening to their harsh words, Lucette’s heart ached for both of her parents. They only wanted what was best for her, but had opposite ideas of what “best” meant. And the fact that she agreed with her mother’s approach more often hadn’t helped smooth her parents’ relationship. Maybe if she’d sided with her father more often, she could’ve kept the peace.
    But as long as her parents kept talking, they had a chance of reaching a compromise. She pressed her ear harder against the door. Their voices had grown quiet and she could no longer make out their words. Lowered voices were a good sign, weren’t they? Had they made up?
    Hope stirred inside her. Her father had to see that her mother had only been trying to help protect her, that she hadn’t meant to deceive him. Back at the ceremony, Lucette had explained to her father how it had all been her idea, her fault, not her mother’s, but she wasn’t sure if her lie had been convincing enough. She’d ruined everything by going to that graduation ceremony and making a fool of herself. Perhaps if she’d done as she was supposed to and slunk across the stage, her father wouldn’t have gotten so angry. Perhaps he’d have been happy to see her looking feminine and pretty. The thought that she’d found yet another way to make things worse between her parents made her stomach twist.

    She heard footsteps inside the room, so she backed up and checked her gloves.
    The door opened and her father stepped out. He looked defeated and tired. “Lucette, will you join us, please? Your mother and I have something to ask you.”
    She followed him inside, hoping her father’s calm demeanor meant they’d reached a compromise. Lucette sensed a real shift in the room, as though a big decision had been made, and her mother stepped up to stand beside her father. They weren’t holding hands, but they were standing closer together than Lucette had seen in years. Even better, neither of them was glaring at the other. There was no yelling, no fighting.
    â€œLucette,” her father said, “I know I’ve made some mistakes”—he looked over to her mother—“we both have. But we’ve agreed to leave this decision up to you.”
    A huge grin spread on her face. Her father realized that now that she was almost sixteen, she deserved to be treated like a grown-up. It was about time she gained some freedom. She was old enough to make decisions, and without their constant sparring for control over her life, she could figure out a way to make peace between her parents. Her heart felt lighter.
    Her father cleared his throat. “Lucette,” he started, “we have something important to tell you.” He paused for a moment. “We’re getting a divorce.”
    Lucette staggered back as if she’d been punched in the stomach.
    â€œWhat?” Her ears rang and all the blood in her body raced to her head, making her dizzy. She had to remind herself to breathe.
    â€œDarling,” her mother said, stepping forward, “I’m moving back to
my father’s estate in the country.