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I could see the horror reflected in Adriana’s eyes, the realization of how deep the rot in my family went. “That’s ruthless,” she murmured, squeezing my hand tight, as if trying to hold me together with her touch.
“I mean, that was my dad,” I replied.
“Does that mean…”
“Yeah,” I said. “He killed my mum too.”
Adriana’s eyes met mine, urging me to go on.
“Mom and Malachy, they were like fire and ice, bound to destroy each other. She hated what he did, who he had become. They fought like hellfire, Adriana. And one day, one of those fights...” I trailed off, my throat tight.
“Tristan...” she whispered, her gaze never leaving my face.
“Malachy’s temper, it got the best of him. It wasn’t supposed to happen, but in a fit of rage...” My voice broke as I finally said it aloud, “He killed her. Told everyone it was an accident. But I knew. I knew even then. I tried to tell myself I didn’t because he was my dad. I was just deluding myself, Ade. And still...I couldn’t do anything about it.”
“God, Tristan.” Adriana’s voice was a soft echo of pain that matched my own.
“Kieran, Liam, and I...we lost more than just our mum that day.” The memories of my mum flooded back—her laughter, her fierce protectiveness, the way she could make even the darkest corners of our world seem bright. “She might not have been related by blood to them, but she was their mum in all the ways that mattered.”
“Tristan, come here.” Adriana’s arms opened, and without hesitation, I moved into her embrace. Her hug was tight, enveloping.
When we were kids, my mum had been the glue that held us together. Her death left a chasm that none of us knew how to bridge. With her gone, the fear of forging bonds that could so easily be ripped apart haunted me. It was a betrayal of the worst kind—one that festered deep in our bones, casting long shadows over any semblance of trust or love we might dare to hold onto.
And I’d had to step up. Because if my dad could kill my mum, it meant he could kill my brothers too.
“Thank you, Ade,” I murmured into her shoulder, “for being here—for listening.”
“Always,” she replied firmly, her breath warm against my ear.
I zoned out for a second. The sunlight filtered through the blinds, casting a warm glow over us in the quiet room. It was midday in Boston, and somewhere outside, life buzzed with its usual intensity. But here, inside, it was as though time had paused, allowing me to gather the scattered pieces of my thoughts.
“Tristan?” Ade’s voice was soft, her gaze locked onto mine, searching.
I exhaled, looking down at our entwined hands. “Dusty once told me something about my father—something that chilled me to the bone.” I hesitated, the words heavy on my tongue. “He said Dad killed all his wives. I didn’t... I couldn’t believe it.”
Her eyes widened, but she didn’t speak. She waited, patient and steady.
“Looking back now, the signs were there,” I continued, my voice barely above a whisper. “The fear in their eyes, their sudden disappearances...It makes sense. It always made sense. I just didn’t want to believe it because it scared the hell out of me.”
“Tristan...”
“Back when I fought against marrying you, it wasn’t because I didn’t want you. God, Ade, it was the opposite. I was terrified you’d end up like Brenda, Angela, or Catherine. I thought by staying away, I could save you from my father’s legacy.”
There was a moment of silence, filled with unspoken understanding. Then, Ade reached out, her touch gentle as she cupped my cheek.
“Tristan Callahan, you are nothing like your father.” Her conviction was a lifeline thrown into the turbulent sea of my doubts. “You’ve proven that time and time again. You’re the most loving, caring man I’ve ever known.”
“You’re a good liar,” I said.
“I mean it,” she replied.
I felt the tension in my body ease slightly at her words. A faint smile tugged at the corner of my mouth, gratitude swelling within me.
“Thank you, Ade,” I murmured, leaning into her touch.
She gave me a soft smile, then shifted her position, sitting astride me with a grace that always seemed second nature to her. “And you’re going to be an incredible father to our children.”
“What are you doing?”
