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“I’ve met with a divorce attorney. I’m divorcing your father. He’s taken enough from this family, and it was seeing you and Lottie together that helped wake me up. I’m fifty-five years old and still have life in me and I’m not going to spend it being married to a man with no respect for me or our children.”
I don’t know why I ask but I need to know what drives her. “Why now? Why didn’t you do it before?”
She looks at the fireplace where the mantel is covered with pictures of me and Clark through the years. “You know your grandfather never approved of Charles. He hated him to be truthful, but I was going through a rebellious stage and thought myself in love. I was in love. Charles wasn’t always the man he is today. He was charming and attentive and driven to succeed, and he said everything I wanted to hear. He was a good man, or so I thought, but after we were married, he changed. It was slow, the first few years were magical, but over time my father chipped away at his confidence. He didn’t trust him or like him and he made it clear at every turn. Eventually, the man I married didn’t exist and he became cold and cruel, his infidelity became blatant and his disdain and hatred for this family became more evident.
“He became power hungry and entitled. He became the man my father knew he’d always been. For a long time, I blamed my father for it and prayed that if I was steadfast and ignored his indiscretions, the man I married would come back. Over time I realized he’d never been that man. That was the act, not this.”
“I’m sorry, Mom.”
“Don’t be. I got the most wonderful sons from my marriage and they are the greatest blessing and gift I could ask for.”
“I’m happy for you, Mom, and you know you have mine and Clark’s support.”
“Thank you, my angel. That means a lot, but you didn’t come here to listen to my woes.”
I feel as if a weight is lifting to see the fire inside my mother. She looks younger, stronger, and I want that for her.
“So, you love your fake wife.”
I chuckle and rub my eyes. “I do. God, what a cliché.”
“And that scares you because you don’t know if she loves you?”
“Yes. I mean I think she might, but I don’t know. She’s dealt with so much heartache, Mom, so much loss, and she’s done it alone. She’s so strong. I’m in awe of the things she’s handled alone. A weaker person would have crumbled.”
“My darling, you’re head over heels for her, and let me tell you a secret. She feels the same way. You may not see it, but I do. She watches you, and she gets this soft look on her face. That girl has always loved you.”
“But what if she doesn’t? What if I lose her?”
“What if you don’t?”
“It’s a risk.”
“It is but look at the reward if you get it right.”
“So I should just tell her?”
“Yes. Make a gesture. Go big. Show her how you feel about her and don’t hold back over the fear of rejection. Be bold and fearless.”
My blood is pumping faster with sudden energy, and I jump to my feet. “I need to go.” I kiss my mother’s cheek. “Thanks, Mom.”
“Always, darling, and bring my little Eric next time and my gorgeous daughter-in-law.”
“I will.”
I rush to my car, an idea taking shape as to how I’ll do this. I’m going to tell Lottie how I feel and take a leap off the cliff.
26: Lottie
I clutchmy handbag like it will protect me from what I’m about to do. My gut is roiling with nerves as I sit in the familiar waiting room. The pretty receptionist smiles kindly as if sensing my nerves and I try and smile back but it feels like a grimace.
The last few days have been torture. I’m sure Linc knows something is up with me. I’ve been as jumpy as a cat on a hot tin roof and several times I’ve caught him watching me as if trying to work out what’s wrong.
Making love with him is the only time I can allow myself to forget the nightmare dragging me into hell. I feel drained of energy, exhausted by it all. Everything was going so perfectly, and I should have known it wouldn’t last, it never does. Fate hates me for some reason and won’t release me from her treacherous claws.
A door swings open and I stand when Hudson walks toward me. “Violet, this is a nice surprise.”
He guides me into his huge office, and I get a sense of déjà vu. It feels like a hundred years ago I was sitting in this leather chair as we hashed out the details of my contract. He sits behind his desk, the fabric of his vest pulling tight across his broad shoulders as he claps his hands together and looks at me.
