“Well, after Eloise was born, I had tests run. Paternity and all that.” My eyes widened. Helen had never mentioned that. Taking a sip of her wine, she took a minute before continuing. “The paternity test clearly proved Max was the father. However, the doctor did mention what a miracle Eloise was, considering his condition.” It was like a physical blow, to know that, all this time,there was an issue on his end. That somehow, I was still getting blamed.
“What condition? He never told me anything… Why wouldn’t he just—” As a million thoughts ran through my head, Helen cut me off.
“He doesn’t know.” I froze, unsure how to process what she was saying.
“Eloise was a fluke, unfortunately. I didn’t see any reason to tell anyone. Didn’t want to raise the pedestal everyone puts Sophie and Eloise on already. Maxwell had a terrible case of the mumps as a child. Developed orchitis because of it.” I widened my eyes, urging her to continue what she was saying in a language I could understand.
“He had inflammation in his testicles. The doctors warned us that it could cause low sperm count in the future. I didn’t think it would take you this long to realize or to do something about it,” she said, the judgment in her tone clear.
“Do something about it? What can I even do about something like this?” I snapped, and Helen’s face froze.
“Do not raise your voice at me. And for heaven’s sake, relax your face, or you’re going to need another appointment for those elevens. Your age is showing.” She shut me down brutally.
“There’s a holistic doctor who is supposed to deliver amazing results with herbal remedies. I’ll make you an appointment. Just slip whatever they give you into Max’s morning coffee. Make sure he drinks it.”
“You want me to drug him,” I stated, wanting her to acknowledge what she was asking of me. She looked annoyed, as if dealing with a petulant child.
“Don’t be so hyperbolic. You’re going to give him herbal supplements, and whatever else they suggest, so you two can finally conceive.” Studying me, she rolled her eyes, angry that I wasn’t just agreeing. “Walter is turning eighty this year. With the way things are, he’s likely to leave everything to Eloise. The only power we have is another child. Take care of your husband. Do this to save your marriage and your future. That is what I am asking of you.”
Chapter 9
Sophie
Unknown Number: Just wanted to make sure you and Lou got home safe yesterday.
Unknown Number: I hope this is okay, I got your number from Myra.
Unknown Number: This is Linc - I should have probably started with that.
Waking up to texts from an unknown number had left a number of feelings running through me. As I read through them, realizing it was Linc, a stupid smile spread over my face.
Memories from the day before washed through me. One second, Lou was climbing around the playground, and the next, something had caught her attention. She was off running before I even realized where she was going.
Everything had seemed to slow down as I watched my girl launch herself into the arms of a massive man. He was huge, in every sense. Well over six-foot, he was muscle stacked on muscle, covered in tattoos, with long dark hair pulled back. The look on his face was even more alarming. Lou had her small hands on his cheeks, making sure all of his focus was on her.
Instead of looking angry, annoyed, or alarmed, he was … happy. He listened intently, unbothered by Lou’s intrusion into his personal space. By the time I got to them, they were chatting like old friends. Things clicked into place once I realized he was the firefighter she had met during her school trip.
I didn’t expect to stay there, and definitely hadn’t predicted sitting down for lunch with both Linc and Lou at the table. Conversation was easy, and he made sure to include her. It was clear how much Lou was soaking up the validation, how the small bit of interest Linc gave her was substantially more than she ever received from her father.
“Mommy and Daddy got unmarried when I was a baby so Daddy could marry Nat.”
Lou’s matter-of-fact statement had me reeling.
Unmarried.
I wondered who had phrased it that way. It sounded like either Natalia or Helen had been having adult conversations around Lou.
Shame and embarrassment washed through me as Linc processed what Lou had just told him. There was no judgment in his response. He moved on, quickly sparing me any additional discomfort.
Later that night, when I was in bed at home, I couldn’t help but go over the entire encounter in my head. It wasn’t just how he had acted with Lou that interested me. Linc was… stunning. There was no other word I could think of that fit. Everything about him was imposing, masculine, and made me want to climb him like a tree.
Pulling the covers over my head, I groaned in embarrassment. I hadn’t dated at all since divorcing Max. I wasn’t interested in adding anyone to the chaos that was my life or adding any new dynamics into Lou’s life. Those text messages, though… I couldn’t deny that I was excited. Butterflies were in my stomach as I added his number to my contacts.
Sophie: Lou and I are home, safe and sound. Thanks to Benson, I might get an extra hour of sleep, Lou hasn’t slept this hard in a while.
Linc: Glad to be of service. If you ever want to borrow Benson I’m happy to bring her by. Even though I’m just babysitting her, I’ve been told she’s the most appealing part of having me around.
Sophie: It’s not screwing in a lightbulb without a ladder? Reaching the groceries on the top shelf?
