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“Naturally. And I’m better off because of it,” Jarvis admitted. “Is this your daughter?”
Norton faced the painting, his hands clasped behind his back and a frown pleating his gray eyebrows. “Mia, yes. I miss the girl she was back then.”
“She’s off with a family of her own these days?” Jarvis queried.
“Family? No.” Norton’s mouth firmed. “Not anymore. Her mother and I had such hopes for that girl. She squeaked through college, refusing to apply herself to her studies. Then she married an upstart tech genius from New York City.” He sighed. “His business flourished, but the marriage failed, as I warned her it would. Now she’s all but disappeared, taking my grandson with her.”
That was far more than Jarvis had expected. He felt like Norton had siphoned all the air from the room. “I—I’m sorry, sir.”
“I’d hoped, despite Mia being beyond reach, that her son would mark a fresh start for us, but she seems determined to disappoint me.” He rocked back on his heels. “I really thought that would pass once she was out of her teens and twenties. Sometimes common sense skips a generation.”
“I’ve never thought of it that way.” Jarvis didn’t know what else to say. He wanted to leap to Mia’s defense, was in fact trying to come up with some way to clue Norton in that his daughter was in trouble. He was about to tactlessly blurt out the message from Mia when Regina appeared.
“There you are, my love.” She slid up close and rubbed his shoulder. “This isn’t the time for melancholy.”
“Oh, I know.” He gave her a tired smile. “The young man here asked about Mia.”
“Jasper, is that right?” Regina said with a bored expression.
“It’s Jarvis, ma’am.” He corrected her politely and nearly blew it with a laugh when he saw the “ma’am” register on her face.
“Jarvis,” she repeated, her tone chilly. “Mia was a lovely girl and we miss her terribly. I’ve tried to shield Norton from the worst of her carelessness.” She caught her husband’s hand between her own. “Children are forever hurting their parents. Something I’m sure she’ll learn soon enough.” To Norton she said, “You’ll have another chance, dear. I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before she comes to the door groveling for help again.”
“Tried to help her launch a business,” Norton grumbled.
“Of course you did. That’s who you are.”
“Such a disappointment.” His face crumpled. “I don’t understand it.”
“She’s selfish, Norton. And self-absorbed. On the bright side, you’ll always have me, my love.” She kissed her husband. Not anything brief or classy or even affectionate. No, she took the time to fuse her mouth to his in an intimate display that made Jarvis’s stomach curdle. “Now, happy thoughts. I came looking for you because the mayor just walked in. You should say hello.”
When he was out of earshot, her sharp gaze locked onto Jarvis. “I’ll thank you not to upset my husband further this evening.”
“Not my intention at all. I was merely admiring the painting.” He smiled when Selina found him and hurried over. “Enjoying yourself?” He drew her close to his side.
“It’s a fabulous night.” She grinned up at him. The expression softened when she saw the painting over his shoulder. “I’m surprised this survived the remodeling, Regina.”
“It will go to storage soon enough,” the woman snapped. “Mia ran off,” she said, her voice just loud enough to carry. “He just needs time to accept it. Norton is heartbroken. I always knew she was a lost cause, but the baby—” she pressed her hands over her heart “—he was crazy over that little boy.”
“That’s terrible.” Selina didn’t sound too broken up about it.
“Eventually, he’ll come around,” Regina continued. “After the way she left...” Regina shook her head sadly. “Some scruffy, gold-digging boyfriend had been by a few times. Only when Norton was at work, of course. Then poof, without a word, she’s moved out and taken the baby. But not before stealing all the cash from my purse and clearing out a fund Norton set up for the little tyke. She hasn’t spoken to either of us since. He’s heartbroken,” she repeated, her gaze drifting to her husband across the room. “I haven’t told him I’ve started searching for the child. I documented everything and I’m sure we can get custody of the baby when the time comes.”
Jarvis had never wanted to strike a woman until this very moment. Regina and her lies brought out the worst in him. He focused on Selina and this time he used her for support.
“Good luck with that,” Selina said. “It’s been a lovely party, Regina, but we should be going.” She batted her lashes at Jarvis. “We both have to be up early tomorrow.”
“Of course.” Regina’s smile didn’t reach her eyes and her mouth was pinched at the corners. “We’ll have to make time for lunch soon.”
“Definitely. Just call.” Selina extricated them from the conversation and aimed straight for the door. “Having ungrateful, greedy stepchildren is the worst. I almost feel sorry for her.”
Jarvis made a sound of agreement, but his temper was about to boil over. Regina was a world-class liar and he hated that it was on him to inform Mia of how misinformed her father was. He’d leave out as much as he could and she’d be happy to hear her dad appeared healthy.
For how long?
“Do you think she meant it, about suing for custody?” he asked, driving away from the Graves home. He hadn’t meant to bring it up, especially not with Selina, but it bothered him.
“Not a chance,” Selina waved that off. “Regina is making the right noises to appease that old coot. She loves to flaunt her money and pretend she has all the power.”
