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The term causes her brows to crease, a pain pushing into her eyes. “I will. I have a lot to work through on my own. I crossed a line—many lines, and I want to make it right.” She looks down at my left hand, her gaze tracing over the diamonds and ruby on my ring finger. “It fits you perfectly.”
In her pale Burberry cardigan, my mother is starkly out of place in my house, with its bursting flower arrangements, loose ribbons, books, and trinkets.
Now, she and my space can coexist. Hopefully.
“Thank you.” I give her a shy smile. “This life fits me quite well too.”
“It was wrong of me to cut you off and not give you your trust. But you’re married now, and even if you weren’t, that money is yours. All yours, Molly, no strings, or expectations attached. Happy early birthday.”
My chest tightens. I hug her, squeezing so strongly. Although my husband and I have enough investors for both of our businesses, the extra fifty-million will be nice.
We remain hugging until Matthew and my father find themselves in the kitchen, talking like two old friends.
“Matthew.” My mother unhooks me and clumsily makes her way to him. My husband shoots me a questioning glance, gauging whether or not I’m alright. I give him a nod. “I’m sorry to have made you feel less than. It was hypocritical of me to ever judge your background, especially when I came from…” She looks around. “Nothing like this. You’re as worthy of our daughter as anyone else.”
“No hard feelings, Vivian.” Matthew tilts his head to one side. “I know what it feels like to want the best for Molly.”
I shuffle over to the kitchen island and take a seat.
“I also have an announcement.” Dad clears his throat. “I’m going to be retiring, for good.”
“Really?” Mom’s eyes light up.
“Yes, Vivian. I know I abandoned you for many years, and I want us to try to be a family again.” Ray turns to me and places his hand on my shoulder. “I’m sorry, Molly. We’re sorry. Losing you was the biggest mistake we’d ever made. Your mother and I have been doing a lot of work on our own, and together, to try to make sure that the remainder of our lives aren’t spent without the most important thing to us.You.”
“Thank you, Dad. Maybe you both would like to see The Griffin?” I straighten my back, feeling myself return to my skin.
My mother smiles.“Truthfully, we drove by a couple weeks ago. It looks stunning.”
“Would you come to my opening?”
“We wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
“So, are you staying for dinner?” Matthew yanks an apron off the hook by the fridge and ties it around his waist.Bear and Brave waddle into the kitchen at the mention of food.
My mother looks concerned, but Dad puts his arm around her, pulling her close into his side. “What do you say, Viv? Think we can show these kids how we used to do it back in the day?”
“Cooking? Um, what are you making?” She swipes at the dampness on her cheeks and readjusts her cardigan.
I laugh. “We’re making pizza.”
“Extra cheesy?”
“Yes.”
She looks surprised. “I don’t think I’ve had a slice since you were a kid.”
“It’s still my favorite.” I stroll over to the pantry, pull open the door, and take out a jar of tomato sauce. “Think you can open this for me?”
Mom nods, taking it and then pulling me into another hug.
It’s everything I’ve ever wanted. A life on my own terms.
The beginning
(Well, for Molly, that is.)
Epilogue
