Page 70 of Discretion at Its Finest

Something hollowed me out at his words, because in that moment, I realized I wasn’t afraid of losing the life I’d built, or the Newman name, or even Gregory’s hollow promises.

I was afraid of losinghimagain. In the same way I lost him the first time. I was afraid that once he knew the truth, he’d see the worst of me and he’d walk away again. And this time… he’d have every reason to.

“You don’t get to ask for forgiveness, Genevieve.”

“I know—”

He didn’t let me finish. “Do you?” he bit out, his wide frame caging me against the wall. “Because everything you’ve done, all of your choices, say otherwise.”

My lips parted, but nothing came out. “I could’ve forgiven the lies,” he murmured. “The running. The years of betrayal, losing the woman I loved.” He dipped his head, his mouth near my ear, his words carving me open: “But you didn’t trust me with my ownson.”

A final tear fell down my cheek as he watched it. “And that,” he whispered, “is what I can’t forgive.”

I didn’t get much rest after last night.

Not for more than a few minutes at a time. Every time my eyes closed, I saw the results and was reminded how heavy the weight of it felt in my hands. All I could imagine was the look on Reid’s face when he realized I’d finally seen what he already knew.

Every time I drifted off, my mind dragged me back into that office, into the moment everything I’d been hiding detonated.

By morning, my thoughts were frayed. My eyes ached from holding in tears that never fell.

Eugene was already at the table when I came into the kitchen, purse high on my shoulder as my heels clicked against the floor. He was swinging his legs, humming something under his breath, blissfully unaware as he stuffed his face with French toast.

“Hi, Mom,” he mumbled as I smoothed a hand over his hair, placing a tender kiss on his forehead.

“Good morning, Lovebug. That looks yummy.” I forced lightness into my voice, though my throat felt dry.

He nodded eagerly as he took another big bite.

“Cara made strawberries too!” he added. “And we’re gonna read comic books later.”

I gave him a soft smile. “That sounds perfect.” Last night he’d told me all about the comic books Reid was letting him borrow to keep him and Cara busy.

Just like most of his gestures, I didn’t know what to make of it… but in the end, even with holding the truth for himself and with how busy he was, he still made room for his son even in small ways, subtle ways.

And I’d kept that from him.

“Have fun,” I mumbled against his hair before I pulled away. “Be good for Cara and stay out of trouble.”

Cara strode into the kitchen, apron around her waist as she tickled his side before she walked to the sink. “This little guy? Keeping away from trouble? Impossible.” He let out another soft giggle as my smile remained.

She wasn’t as bad as I was trying to make her out to be. She was actually a sweetheart. The bitterness of her replacing my presence in my son’s life was unfortunately blinding my perception of her.

“Everything all right, Miss Devereaux?” she asked softly, coming over with prepared coffee in a mug.

“I’m fine, Cara… Thank you for handling breakfast.”

“Of course. No worries. Mr. Kaufman is already at the office. Charles is waiting for you downstairs.”

Of course he was already gone. No reason for him to stick around after last night. “I figured as much…”

Crouching in front of Eugene again, I smoothed my thumb over his cheek until he looked up at me, syrup still clinging to the corner of his mouth.

“I’ll see you later, okay, Lovebug?” I said softly.

He leaned forward without prompting, wrapping his arms around my neck in a clumsy hug. I closed my eyes, breathing him in. I let the hug linger, wishing I could somehow store the warm, sweet scent mixed with a hint of baby shampoo and the feeling of his precious hug for later.

“Love you, Mom,” he mumbled against my shoulder.