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She pauses chewing and stares at me as if I’m a clown in a horror film. If I didn’t think it was so unlikely, I’d think tears were shining in her eyes. “You’re…the first person who’s ever said that to me.”
“That’s because other people are scared to tell you anything.”
She swallows the bite of food. “Doesn’t matter anyway. She…Gwynethdoesn’t like me or consider me her mother, and that fucking asshole Kingsley is turning her against me every chance he gets. He’s not even allowing me the chance to be a part of her life.”
“Isn’t she old enough to make her own decisions?”
“She is, but she’s also too attached to him considering he raised her on his own. I told her I thought she’d died and that I didn’t abandon her on purpose, but she still hates me for having to grow up without a mother. Which is understandable, but still…”
“How about asking for her husband’s help? You’re friends with Nathaniel.”
“Nate told me to give her time. But with her jerk of a father in the picture, no amount of time will help.” She pauses, narrowing her eyes on an abstract painting on the wall. “Maybe I should do the world a favor and hire someone to kill the motherfucker for real this time.”
“Are you sure you want to say that out loud?”
“Pretend you didn’t hear anything.” She smiles and I smile back.
Then we fall into a silent companionship. Now I know why Aspen helped me the first time I knocked on her door, no questions asked.
She’s experienced what it feels like to lose a child, and judging by how guarded she’s turned out to be, the pain must’ve been immeasurable. It probably shaped her into the woman she is today.
I can’t imagine my life without Jayden. He’s my second chance to do better, to do something good.
And I’ll fight for him until my death if I have to.
My phone pings with a text and I startle, then my heart skyrockets when I see the name on the screen.
Bloody Idiot:I have a last-minute job. Book me a flight to Singapore and a hotel room for two days.
Singapore? Two days?
I don’t know why my stomach churns at the news. Even though he’s in his office every day and mostly handles things remotely, Daniel is still an international solicitor, and traveling for work isn’t a novelty.
Nicole:Right away.
Bloody Idiot:Stay in my flat with the kid and the cat.
Nicole:We’re fine in our flat.
Bloody Idiot:That’s an order, Ms. Adler. I don’t want to hear your annoying neighbors through the phone when I call for work.
I purse my lips. He either likes being a jerk or he’s terrible at being nice without the jerk part.
Nicole:Got it.
Bloody Idiot:Oh, and take this as your deadline. When I come back, you better tell me what the fuck was wrong with you the other day or I’ll find out myself. Either option will give me the same result, but you can choose whether or not you’ll pay for keeping information from me.
18
NICOLE
“Didn’t you say he’ll be here at nine?”
I wince at the accusation in Jay’s tone, then pretend to check the huge Roman numeral clock on the wall. “I did.”
“Well, it’s three minutes past nine and he’s not here yet.”
“Flights can have delays, hon. And three minutes is hardly late.”
