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“Yes, thank you.”
I set the silver tray down and pour the coffee, adding milk and sugar for my mother, just how she likes it and then doctor my own with just half a sugar.
“So?”
I don’t know how to start this conversation without breaking her heart. She was ecstatic when I told her about the whirlwind wedding to Lottie and, since then, their relationship has blossomed, only made stronger by Eric, who my mother adores.
I sit forward, resting my elbows on my knees. “I think I’m in love with Lottie.”
My mom frowns at what must seem like an obvious statement to her before she cocks her head. “And?”
“Mom, Lottie and I aren’t really married.”
“Don’t be silly, I was there and I watched you sign the papers.”
I bob my head. “Well, yes, we’re legally married, but it isn’t real. I paid her to marry me to get the company from Dad.” She pales but doesn’t react and I rush on. “It has an expiry date of a year.”
“I see. So, you don’t love her?”
My sigh feels like my soul leaving my body, it’s that deep. “That’s the problem. I do. I’ve fallen in love with her.” I sweep my fingers through my hair. “I mean how could I not? She’s kind, beautiful, and funny. She’s great with Eric and so loyal. I love her, Mom.”
“So, what’s the problem?”
“Mom, you know what happened with Lottie and me years ago, how I promised to take her to prom but didn’t.”
“Yes?”
“I didn’t tell you why.”
“No, but I’m betting it had something to do with your father.” Her lip almost curls with disdain and it’s the first time I’m seeing it from her.
“It did. He said if I didn’t take Arabella, he was going to send Clark to a military academy.”
Her indrawn breath brings my eyes to her face, and she looks shocked but quickly I see fury replace that.
“He did what?”
“He said he was going to send him to some place his friend runs to help straighten him out unless I took Arabella. It broke my heart to do it, but I didn’t have any other choice. I either broke Lottie’s heart for a short time or guaranteed my brother’s safety. We both know he wouldn’t have come out of a place like that alive.”
My mother stands and crosses to me, taking my hand in hers. She’s so put together, even now wearing her pearls with the silk blouse and pants, but she looks like someone else in this moment. She reminds me of my grandmother. Her mother was a force of nature with a backbone of steel.
“But she left before you could speak to her.”
“Yes. She was gone before I got back from prom. I was going to explain it all to her in person. I didn’t feel I could do it over the phone.”
“That’s why you cut yourself off for so long.”
“I loved her, Mom. Even then I knew she was it for me and when she left without a word, I was so lost.”
Her arms wrap around me, and I let my head fall to her shoulder.
“Oh, my sweet boy. Trying to save the day and your brother when I should have been doing it. I’m so sorry.”
“No, Mom. Don’t say that. You’re the best mom a man could want.”
She pats my face and I see tears glitter in her eyes. “I appreciate that, but the truth is I failed you. But no more.”
“What do you mean?”
