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I want nothing so much as to talk to her now, face to face. To comfort her. To have her comfort me.
“I need you, Mom.”
The longing for my mother is a palpable need that fills me from the top of my head to the tips of my toes until it’s all that I can focus on.
Movement down the hallway jolts me from my thoughts, and the sound of a deep male voice speaking lowly fills my ears. A heavily tattooed man in an impeccably tailored suit rounds the corner. He comes to a halt when he notices me, looking me up and down with an appreciative smile.
“Buongiorno, bellissima signora.”
I arch a brow before Elodie barrels around the corner, her smile freezing on her beautiful face as she hands the dark-eyed man a cufflink.
He takes it and presses a kiss to one of her cheeks, then, with a tap on her ass, lets himself out of the apartment.
Elodie and I square off as I cross my arms over my chest. “Why did you tell Matt IleftVaughn? That’s not even true—”
“I haven’t spoken to Porter in over a week, Wren, so keep your accusations to yourself.”
Her brow creases as genuine hurt flashes through her bright blue eyes. She nibbles her bottom lip when her gaze drops to her feet before she murmurs, “Sorry about last night.”
“I thought you had to work.”
There’s no judgment in my tone; just hurt that yet another person has lied to me.
She stands taller, her eyes hardening as she mirrors my stance with her chin tipped defiantly before she shocks me to hell. “Thatwaswork, Wren.”
It takes me a moment to realize what she’s saying, and all I can come up with is, “Why?”
“Because Dad made some dodgy investments, the bank was going to take everything, and the only thing we had left to sell was…” She trails off pointedly, leaving no doubt as to what she means, and I struggle to draw a breath, disgust and pity filling me in equal measure.
My stomach churns as she shrugs, tucking her hair behind her ear. “It’s not exactly a hardship. Did youseeDomenico?”
Her lips twitch with a smile, even as I grit my teeth at the unfairness of it all. “I mean, if a hot Italian wants to pay to fuck me, then I’m not about to say no, am I!”
My frown deepens, and I step closer. “Why didn’t you tell me? I could have helped. You didn’tneedto do this—”
Her expression flips to one of frustration as she looks me up and down. “Don’tdo that, Wren. Don’t pity me. Ichosethis. Just as I chose not to tell you. Leave me mypride, at least.”
She gives me her back, and I let her go, giving her what she’s asking for. Time to heal her wounded pride.
I follow after her, intent on my own room, when something stops me. Right as Elodie steps over her threshold, I call out softly, “I love you.”
Her eyes find and hold mine. “Love you, too.”
The door closes gently, and I continue on to my room, flopping onto my bed right as my cell chimes with a text.
MOM
Surprise! I arrived at Abrams Island this morning by chopper. Can’t wait to see you.
A sudden lump fills my throat. It’s like the universe heard my heart call out for my mother and sent her to me.
ME
I’m on my way.
I quickly call Matt, and he answers on the second ring. “Are you on your way? Your mom is so excited to see you.”
A thrill runs through me, even as I debate the rightness of doing what I’m about to do, but I know Vaughn will want me to wait, and I simplycan’twait any longer. I need to see hernow.
