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“I’m starting to realize that, but Helen isn’t willing to accept the truth. She’s trying to protect Mark from you.”
?
?Perhaps you should stop enabling her.”
His eyes snap to mine, lips parting, but almost in an instant fall shut in a tight line.
“You’re the one who’s giving her reason to believe she’s right. How about you start telling the truth? Shielding her isn’t working. And hurting me will not heal her, won’t fill the void in her heart. The hate will only make it larger.”
Darren stares at me with a cryptic expression I can’t decipher. But my hair stands on ends and my heart palpitates with unease. The shadows in those eyes are unnerving. The knowledge he’s holding back is capable of unraveling me.
What are you hiding from me, Darren?
My instincts tell me to be careful with my father-in-law. He’s the one holding all the cards in his hands. Right now, he reminds me of Logan. A cunning man with power and wealth, getting what he wants with a flick of his fingers. And power, like Mark told me, is a hungry beast. And I’m sitting next to the man who can crush me like an ant.
“Some secrets must stay buried. They can destroy a person, Cassandra. A lie can save the family, but the truth might be too devastating to accept.”
The insects crawl up my skin as he speaks in a grave tone, slipping under my skin. I heard this before. From Mark. I force my stiff neck to move, and my lungs draw in a breath.
“I lived through a lot. I can take the truth and survive the devastation, but I don't appreciate you lying to me. Keep your lies for your spiraling out of control wife, Darren. I’m not a delicate flower who needs someone to nurture her. I can deal with reality and make my own decisions.”
“Choose your battles carefully, sweetheart. I’m not your enemy. Like you said, I’m your family.”
Anger burns within me that he dares to patronize me.
“And yet . . . your actions beg to differ. The man who filmed Mark and me is your business partner. Do you know he’s the man who abused Mark when he was a kid? Why are you working with him, Darren? Is this how you’re going to fix your family?”
My lungs freeze in my chest, and I can feel little pricks digging in my chest as I wait for his response. His gaze, devoid of emotions, meets mine, and I gasp. My chin wobbles and I stand.
I need to get away from him.
“Where are my kids?” I demand.
Not waiting for his response, I stride straight to the door, leading to the spacious living space. I find Liane and Leon drawing with a nanny they hired to look after them. Before I can utter a word, Darren grabs my arm and turns me to face him.
“Everything right now seems worse than it is, Cassandra. But the truth will never change. You are my family and the mother of those two beautiful grandkids.” He motions to my unaware twins, playing behind me. “I’m not your enemy.” His pleading eyes burrow into mine.
“It’s hard to believe you.” I slip away from his grip. “It’s difficult to trust the man who holds secrets from his family, who manipulates our lives by pulling strings and casting smoke screens. I don’t want any part of your games. My children won’t be a part of this either. If you dare to fight for the custody of my children, I will do everything to destroy you.”
“Such brave words for a little mouse like you.” Those words twist, plunging me to that day when Logan and I met. I cover my mouth, but traitorous tears burst of their own accord anyway.
“Cassandra . . .” he starts, but I rip my hand out of his hold and turn to my babies, who just now noticed us. They jump to their feet and run straight into my arms, screeching like two happy goofballs.
“Mommy, Mommy, you’re here!” Liane’s hands clutch me, but Leon has a frown on his cute face. I rarely can hide anything from him. Leon has this emotional radar so unusual for his age. I smile, encouraging him to relax.
“I missed you so much. Have you enjoyed your day with your grandparents?” He nods, still fixated on my face, judging my mood. But when his smile breaks free, my heart melts. Just like this, my son dissolves all the negative energy clinging to me.
“Let’s go home, all right?”
They nod, grabbing their things, and start recounting all the adventures they had today.
Before I leave, I cast a glance at Darren. The nailing determination on his face directed at me scares the hell out of me. It’s obvious he’s going to war. Whatever is happening, I’m the person they’re willing to sacrifice for their family’s welfare. I’m just an outsider, collateral damage to their social, business games. I’m a bad guy in their story.
The drive home is full of animated chatter with my kids, while my head’s spinning with the things I can’t control or even fix. How the hell did my relationship with the Cades get so bad we can’t stand each other? This isn’t how we were at the beginning.
The pain is changing us.
When the car pulls up in the driveway, Mark opens the door, strolling toward us. I see protectiveness etched in his every move and his sharp gaze, scanning the surroundings like he’s anticipating trouble. I don’t remember how, but I’m out of the car and in his strong arms, sucking his unique scent into my lungs.
