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I shake my head, still trembling with adrenaline and panic.
“No. I’ll take care of it, but thank you.”
With that, I rush back to the elevator before jabbing the button. What had started as a beautiful day has now gone down the tubes, and I curse under my breath, desperate to make things right.
10
Josie
My mom’s house in Connecticut isn’t a big place, but it’s homey and inviting with needlepoint pillows on the couches and chintz curtains framing the windows.
But despite the comforts of home, I feel more alone than ever. It isn’t my mom’s fault, nor my stepdad Andy’s. Nor is it Alyssa’s fault, or even Cyrus’s. Instead, the fault lies with me. I’ve ignored every rational voice ever since I started dating the billionaire. I’ve ignored issues that stared me in the face, like the fact that he’s nearing fifty and has already been married and divorced three times. I ignored the fact that one of his ex-wives is my mother, Marilyn, who’s a sweet-tempered soul. I ignored the chasm between us when it came to life experience, professional stature, and personal values. I basically fell head over heels for the CEO without really knowing him.
Now, I have his baby in my belly, and I haven’t told a soul. Instead, like an idiot, I’m keeping it to myself because how can I explain this turn of events? I let my guard down and permitted my heart to get involved. I was naive enough to let myself believe that Cyrus and I could be happy together; that we were just like any other normal couple out there.
But that clearly wasn’t the case because he’s been sleeping with his ex behind my back this entire time. What was her name again? Candace? I couldn’t see her image that well, but I glimpsed long blonde hair, a glamorous figure, and a bubbly, cheerful voice. Evidently, Cyrus has been banging her all this time, and not only that, but he’s not even divorced. What a barrel of lies.
I drop my face into my hands to hide the tears that are now streaming down my face. I don’t want my mom to see me cry again. Marilyn’s already asked me so many times about the issues I’m running away from, and I hate not being honest with her. But I can’t handle this particular truth because it involves her ex-husband. Not only that, but I’m pregnant by her ex-husband too, which makes her both the grandmother and ex-stepmother of my baby. How fucked up is that? But my mom will always be my mom, and she’s concerned.
“Hey honey,” Marilyn calls out from the other room in a gentle voice. “Do you want me to bring you something to eat?”
I hurry to wipe my face and sniffle a bit. “No thanks, Mom. I’m okay.”
“Oh, honey.” She walks into the living room where I’m sitting lifelessly on the sofa. “You’ve got to eat.” She pauses as soon as she sees my face. “What’s wrong baby? Did something happen?”
I manage a weak smile.
“No, I’m fine. Just hormones I think.”
Marilyn walks towards me, but stops when someone pounds on the door insistently. Her eyebrows draw together and she looks pointedly at me. “We’re going to talk about this after I deal with whoever this is. Coming!” she calls. “Hold your horses!”
Mom strides to the door and jerks it open, but I’m not paying attention. Instead, I’m staring off into space, my mind whirling once more.
“Hi Marilyn. Sorry to be so short, but I need to see Josie.”
My heart skips a beat as Cyrus’s voice rings in my ears. How did he know I’m in Connecticut? Crap!
“Cyrus?” The confusion is obvious in my mom’s voice. “Why do you need to see my daughter, Cyrus? Why are you even here? Josie’s not feeling well.”
“Please, Marilyn,” Cyrus growls with desperation in his voice. “I need to talk to her. It’s important.”
My mom begins shaking her head, but then I stand, my heart pounding. There’s no sense in putting off this confrontation, especially since the alpha male has followed me all the way to Connecticut.
“Mom, it’s okay,” I begin. “I’ll talk to him.”
Marilyn narrows her eyes at me.
“Are you sure?” she asks.
I nod.
“It’ll be fine. But can we have some privacy? Please Mom. Trust me.”
Marilyn looks between Cyrus and me, and I can see the wheels turning in her head. Her eyes narrow, and their usual cornflower blue becomes a steel grey that pierces my heart. Her mother’s instinct has shifted into high gear, but she nods. “Okay, but call me if you need anything, alright sweetheart? I’ll be out back in the garden.”
I nod gratefully.
“Thanks, Mom.” I give her a quick kiss on the cheek, and the older woman heads towards the back of the house but not without giving her ex-husband a piercing stare. Then, Cyrus steps inside, and the door shuts. I take a deep breath. I’m so not ready for this conversation, but I guess there’s no avoiding it now.
