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“Can I have a word with you, Mom? Alone?” I say, barely able to contain my anger. I’m trembling as I follow her to the kitchen.
She shuts the door behind us. “I can explain.” She stands at the door and wrings her hands together.
“Are you the one who sold my story to the press?” I ask her.
I cannot believe that I’m having this conversation with her. I’d trusted her. I’d have bet my life that she had no part of it.
She pushes her shoulders back, looks at me defiantly, and a feeling of dread comes over me. “I believe you mean my story. Adrian was my lover, and I’m the one who decided that he would be my child’s father.”
“So it was you?” I’m so angry; I’m shaking. I stare at my mother and realize that she’s a cold, unfeeling human being.
“Yes. It was my story to do with as I wanted, and I wanted to fund a trip around the world for Keith and myself.”
I’m beyond hurt by her confession. I lost the only woman I’ve ever loved on account of this. It had been easy to heap all the blame on my father. I trusted my mother and did not even once contemplate that she was the culprit.
“I trusted you, Mom,” I tell her.
She flinches, but the look of defiance does not leave her eyes.
“If you needed more money, all you had to do was ask.”
“You wouldn’t have agreed to fund me and Keith to travel in style,” she says.
“I would have.” I really would. If she wants to date a guy twenty years younger than she is, that’s her business.
My head hurts, as does every muscle in my body. I stare at my mother. She feels no remorse for what she did. As far as she’s concerned, it’s perfectly okay to sell out your son. She has no sense of right and wrong, and if she hasn’t changed in all this time, she’s not going to change now. I feel as if someone is sitting on my chest, preventing me from breathing properly.
I get to my feet. “Have a good trip.”
“Will I see you before we go?” she asks.
“What for, Mom?” I hold her gaze.
She’s the first to look away.
“I’ll make sure the money that goes into your account is increased, and if you need anything, call Sebastian; he’ll let me know.”
I let myself out of the house.
I’m numb with shock on the drive home. I’ve fucked up so badly with Grace. Why the fuck didn’t she say anything when I made that ridiculous accusation? It sounds stupid now. For fuck’s sake, I know Grace. I should have trusted her and known that of all people, she was the least likely to go to the press with a story.
Because of my paranoia, I had lost the sweetest, most loving woman I’ll ever meet. That last day plays in my head like a bad movie. She had not said a single word in her defense, and I’d taken that to mean she was guilty. I can’t imagine how hurt she must have been by my accusations. It was as if all those months we’d gotten to know each other had meant nothing. With a few words, I had classified her with the likes of my ex.
Ethan drops me off, and I enter the house. I clear my throat, and the noise bounces off the foyer walls and echoes around me. Oh, Grace. I miss bounding up the stairs and hurrying to the sunroom to see her beautiful face and hold her in my arms.
Is this what the rest of my life will be like? Coming home to an empty house? I trudge into the library and pick up the script on the table. My work is the only thing I have left.
I had a chance at real love. A chance to love someone and be loved back. A chance to make a family. Maybe celebrities and normal people just don’t do relationships well. There’s mistrust from both sides.
Grace hated the lack of privacy that being with me entailed while I jumped to accuse her of selling me out for money. I stare at the script, unseeing. I ache with sadness. Does she miss me, or is it good riddance for her?
I wish I could see and talk to her one more time. Cup her face one more time. Press my lips to hers one more time.
I try to read the new script Chris left for me, but none of what I’m reading makes any sense. It is going to be a long time before I get over Grace, if ever.
Chapter 40
Grace
“Where’s Kyle?” my mother asks as soon as she steps into the gallery. My parents are two of the first people to arrive, and they are several minutes early. I’m glad they’re here.
