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“Penelope.” I wanted to crawl under the covers and hide at the implication. It had been so long since I’d been intimate with anyone. I didn’t want to think about it in any capacity, especially in front of my daughter.
“What? I’m the result of it.” She spoke so casually. Because that was the way we were. Comfortable with one another.
The nerves and the guilt resurfaced with full force.
Tell her. You have to tell her.
I opened my mouth but nothing came out.
I’m her mother.
Maybe I hadn’t given birth to her, but in all the ways that mattered, I was.
You never gave Alma a chance to be.
Alma never tried. Not once. The only credit I could give her mothering instinct was that she’d put Penelope in my care.
It might not be fair to judge my sister, but I did. Because I didn’t understand. If I’d been in her position, even if I would’ve had to give up my baby to her, I would have made every effort to be part of that child’s life.
But the other part of me was grateful Alma was the way she was. I’d had Penelope all to myself without the worry of her being taken away.
“Mom, don’t get upset.” Penelope smoothed my brow. “I’m just teasing you.”
I should be the one comforting her. I’d revealed a massive secret to her mere hours ago, yet she was handling it better than I was.
Because you know you’re still keeping secrets.
Even if I wasn’t, Penelope was always stronger than I was, which I admired.
“Am I to assume eggs and bacon aren’t on the breakfast menu?”
I whipped my head toward the open bedroom door. Kane stood already dressed in slacks and a white button-down. He looked freshly showered and put together . . . like always.
Other than the fine lines around his eyes.
How was he handling the morning after?
By not looking at me.
“Ugh.” Penelope made a face. “I’ll make you an açai bowl.” She climbed out of bed and wandered toward him like they’d been doing this her whole life.
Why was I the only one who felt awkward?
You’re the only one who’s a liar.
That could certainly be a good reason.
“We’re going to end up eating out,” he muttered, although he followed her.
And suddenly I was alone, and it was quiet.
Too quiet other than the noise in my head. What had I expected? Everyone to wake up angry?
Maybe.
Did I want them to be angry with me? As a form of well-deserved punishment?
“Mom! Do we have any açai?” Penelope called from what sounded like downstairs.
