AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I took a deep breath and gathered up a few strands of courage, then went downstairs. Vivian was in the kitchen, humming something as she went about the morning routine, setting out plates on the table and fetching cups from the sideboard. The smell of freshly baked bread and breakfast casserole wafted up from the oven.
When she saw me standing in the doorway, her face lit up with excitement. “Ah, Christine! Good morning!” she exclaimed. “Come sit down.”
I slid into a seat at the table across from her while she poured milk into two glasses and placed them in front of us. “Are you feeling better?” she asked.
I nodded. “I’m sorry about yesterday.”
“Don’t be silly,” she said warmly, reaching across to squeeze my hand between hers. “Of all the crazy things that have happened the last few days, that’s the least concerning.”
I let out a choked laugh. “I suppose you’re right.”
“Well, I’m happy to see you.” Vivian smiled and offered me a cup of tea. “It’s been so long. Leo missed you dearly, and I was so happy when you returned. I hated having him banished to the damn countryside. Only saw him once or twice a year.”
Seeing Vivian now made the guilt eat at me, festering in my body like an infection slowly poisoning me from the inside. “I’m—I’m sorry about that.”
She shook her head. “It’s not your fault.”
But it was. He was sent away because of me. Leo was away from his mother and sister for three years because I was sent away. He was a casualty because he rescued me that night. “Now, why don’t you tell me what’s really bothering you?”
I looked at her contemplatively, chewing on my bottom lip nervously. Vivian and I had always gotten along. She was kinder and more motherly than Isabelle was and reminded me of my mother.
I swallowed hard. “I don’t know where to begin,” I admitted.
“How about you tell me about you and Leo?” She smiled. “You’re together, I assume?”
I nearly choked on my drink. “We are,” I said, clearing my throat. “I mean, we weren’t, but—”
She waved her hand as if to say it was alright. “I understand.” She leaned in over the table, eyes bright. “Leo can be very convincing.” I could still hear the warmth of his voice in my ear.
“I suppose he can,” I agreed.
“Well, whatever you’re worried about, you can tell me. I’m here for you.” She patted my hand and gave me a soft smile.
“Thank you, Vivian.” I leaned against her shoulder. “You have no idea how much that means to me.”
“I think I do,” she said wistfully.
I winced, thinking about how to say what I wanted to say. “I love Leo,” I blurted out. “He’s everything to me, and I know I’ve only been back a short amount of time, but I can’t imagine living my life without him.”
Vivian smiled warmly. “And I’m sure he feels the same way.”
“But he’s not the only one…” My stomach roiled with nerves and guilt. How could I tell this woman that I was dating her son and two other men?
She seemed to sense my apprehension, and her smile faded, her face growing solemn. “What is it?”
“I’m…I’m, I’m in love with all three of them,” I blurted out, my words tripping over themselves.
“Pardon me?”
“I mean, I was. I guess I still am, but it’s just so complicated.”
She frowned lightly, raising an eyebrow in suspicion. “Are you sure this is love and not lust?”
“I’m sure,” I said staunchly. “This has been a whirlwind and it’s been difficult, but we’ve had to learn to trust each other—to open up and let our guards down. It has taken a lot of time and patience, but somehow, we’ve made it work. Mostly. We’ve connected on a level I never thought possible.” My hands started to tremble as I spoke of them, and the words tumbled out in a jumble. “They love me the way I am—the real me—and they accept me for all my flaws and weaknesses. They are so different from one another, but when it comes down to it, they have each other’s backs, and nothing can rattle them. They make me smile and laugh and want to be better.”
Vivian’s eyes sparkled as she finally spoke. “I had my suspicions last night. Leo was like a shadow of his former self when you left, like he’d been possessed. When you came back, it was like he was my old Leo again. And I knew Augustus has always had feelings for you. Atticus is…protective. I was curious who you’d choose.”
I cringed. “I’m so sorry. I’m sure this is uncomfortable to talk about. I’m in love with your son, and now I’m telling you that he has to share me.”
