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"I didn't have a choice."
"You always have a choice."
"Marcus discovered that you were his blood. Before that, you were safe. We were safe."
"How? How did he find out?"
She throws her arms up. "I have no idea. How do Quinctus find out anything? They have eyes and ears everywhere."
"You should have been more careful."
"That’s why I came here, Bexley.” Her expression softens. “Sterling Bay is meant to be a safe haven. It was agreed that Sterling would be a safe haven. That we couldn't be touched here. The Jaggers made sure that we could live our lives as we wished and were able to leave our pasts behind us."
A safe haven? What the fuck does that mean?
"You’re not making any sense,” I grit out. “If it's so safe here, why did I have to go back?"
"It’s complicated, son. There’s still things I can’t tell you.”
“What the fuck?” I balk. This is crazy. I need answers. I need to know what the fuck is going on.
“You were a firstborn heir, Bexley. The second I discovered I was pregnant, I knew I had to get you out of there. And then when I gave birth and discovered you were a boy… I was terrified. I know what Quinctus are capable of, and I didn't want that life for my child."
"Yet look where I am. In the middle of my fucking initiation." My voice booms across the kitchen, my anger over this whole situation getting the better of me.
"I'm so sorry, Bex. I'm so sorry." She drops her head into her hands and sobs.
"Not good enough, Mom. I'll never forgive you for this. For lying to both of us for so long."
"I just wanted—" she hiccups.
"To protect me, I know."
Her eyes lift to mine, devastation and guilt shining brightly within them.
"Where's Dad?"
"A-at work."
"Tell me he hasn't forgiven you for this?"
"He—" Hiccup. "He's moved into the pool house."
"What?" I roar. "You deceive him for your entire relationship, and he's the one to leave the house—the house that he pays for? Unbelievable."
"We need to keep up appearances, you know that."
I sigh, my fight leaving me at the ridiculousness of this entire situation.
Of course this is all about how things look to the rest of Sterling Bay and all of their pretentious, asshole friends.
"This is a fucking joke. You are a fucking joke."
I blow out of the house, slamming the door so hard behind me I wonder if the glass might have cracked as I storm toward the pool house.
I didn't come here for Mom, although she might have some of the answers I so desperately need. I came for Dad. The only other person on the planet who understands how I feel right now. And who is probably as confused as I am by all this bullshit.
The space looks mostly the same as I remember, but instead of it being where I hung out with my boys, it's now a bachelor pad. Bottles of beer and whiskey cover most of the surfaces, along with work folders and notes.
