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“It is true.” Aidan confirms, but he doesn’t let go of my gaze as frost creates ice crystals in my abdomen. “I’ll never lie to you again, Caitlin. Wedidpay compensation for my stupid behaviour. However, this was ten years ago. You were eight at the time.”
“Oh. And… since?”
“Nothing and no one in the office since. Well, except for you.” Aidan’s smile tugs at my heart and my shoulders drop.
“I guess I can’t blame you for being with other women ten years ago,” I say and bite my lip.
“Thank you.” Aidan exhales, relief evident in his features. Then he slaps his hands together, drawing all the attention to him. “Now, where were we? Yes, Caitlin was to vote on whetherto keep the money from the fair.”
He can’t be serious! I can’t vote on that now? But Aidan nods his head at me, his eyes open, encouraging. I glance around the room, my pulse racing. Everyone is looking at me, judging me. Condemning me.
“Caitlin…” Dad breathes through his nose.
“Dad,” I say before he has a chance to continue. I take a deep inhale and press my palms to my stomach. “You’ve never believed in me.”
“Now, that’s not true.” But he has the decency to look a bit ashamed.
“You never gave me time to show you what I can do, nevercaredenough to glance at my designs.”
“Christ,” Fin mumbles. “She’s so full of herself.”
“Fin.”
My brother rolls his eyes at me. “What?”
“You’ve always stolen my thunder and played me against our parents.”
“That’s not true, that’s so unfair! Mum!”
“Yes, Mum.” My eyes shift to hers. Her mouth is a sharp line.
“Caitlin,” she barks back, almost a warning.
I fist my skirt, but soldier on, although my voice is shaking. “Y-you’ve always belittled me, made me feel like a nobody. You’ve never allowed me to beme.”
“Well, we’ve now clearly seen what happens when you’re left on your own.”
I don’t have a comeback, as she’s probably right. Instead, I face to the person next to her.
“Father Murray.” The man in black shrinks back when my gaze lands on him. “I’m the b-best parishioner you’ve ever had, yet you used every possible opportunity to chastise me.Maybe you’re to blame for me wanting tosinsince I still got punished when I was good.”
A low wail sounds from my mother, and she does not one, but three Hail Marys.
I’m on a roll, so I turn to Miss Duffy. “Miss Duffy, you threw me under the bus.”
There’s pure evil in the old woman’s eyes so I keep it short and quickly move to the last person in the room.
Pride is shining from the clear blue eyes gazing down at me.
“Aidan.” I swallow and lift my chin. “You played me for your own gain. You’ve tricked me and manipulated me.”
He takes a deep breath and nods. “I did.”
“And at this moment, you stand to get everything you’ve ever wanted. Even getting a family.”
“That is true.”
“But… um… But despite your flaws and morally grey actions…” I blink rapidly. “I want to be that family.”
