Total pages in book: 34
Estimated words: 32533 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 163(@200wpm)___ 130(@250wpm)___ 108(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 32533 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 163(@200wpm)___ 130(@250wpm)___ 108(@300wpm)
“Just so you know,” he says, “Whatever happens, I’ll always make sure you’re both taken care of. You have my word.”
“I don’t care about all of that,” my mom says.
“Mom, please, you can’t—”
“Listen!” She looks at me, her face a picture of motherly concern. “Am I to understand that you’re already seeing each other?”
“Yes,” I whisper.
“Are you pregnant?”
My cheeks burn. “Not that I know of.”
“Did he force you?”
“No,” I insist, shaking my head. “Of course not, this is completely mutual, I promise. I love Christian.” Out of the corner of my eye, I see Christian smile.
“I see.” My mother’s shoulders seem to shed some of their tension. Still, she rubs her head. “This is…a lot to take in. I think I need to lay down.”
My body moves on instinct, out of my chair, to the other side of the table.
“Here, Mom, let me help you.”
I grasp her elbow gently as she rises from her chair. Christian stays at the table as I help my mother to her bedroom. I’m sure he figures the two of us could use a chance to talk in private.
Neither of us says a word to each other on the way to her room. Like seasoned dancers, we perform our practiced routine of me helping her change into her nightdress. Finally, after arranging the pillows and blankets around her the way she likes them, I crack.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you,” I say. “And I’m sorry for sneaking around with your husband.”
Her sardonic laugh makes me jump.
“Christian’s only my husband on paper, Eden, you know that.” She pulls the blanket up to her chin. “I’ve known for a while now that we weren’t going to be able to keep up this charade. But I thought I would wait until after Christmas to break the news to him.” She motions for me to sit on the bed and then takes my hand. “Is this man really what you want, Eden? Truthfully?”
“Yes, he is.”
“Why? You’re young, my dear. You have your whole life ahead of you, so much possibility.”
“I know, and I plan on experiencing all of it. But I can’t imagine doing it without him by my side.” I squeeze her hand between both of mine. “I know Christian’s probably not who you pictured me ending up with, but he’s a good man. Dad wouldn’t have asked him to take care of us if he wasn’t a good man, right?”
Mom winces at the mention of my dad, and I almost feel bad for bringing him up. But I know in my heart that I’m right about this.
“I just want you to be happy,” she says. “If being with Christian makes you happy, then I won’t stop you. Not that I could. You’re a grown woman, Eden. Who you love is up to you.”
I bring her hand to my lips and kiss the back of her palm. I’m so buoyant and relieved that I feel like I could float.
“Thank you, Mom. I love you so much.”
She pats my knee. “I love you, too, sweetheart. Now go put that poor man out of his misery.”
I chuckle. “Okay, I will.”
CHAPTER 13
CHRISTIAN
Eden hands Petra a small box wrapped in gold foil.
“And this one is for you, Mom.”
Petra shakes the box beside her ear. “Now, what could this be?”
“Do you need help opening it?”
“Spadaj.” She waves her daughter’s hand away. “This is the fun part.”
I wrap my arm around Eden’s shoulders. Though it’s only Christmas Eve, we agreed that each of us would open one gift before bed tonight. Personally, I don’t mind waiting ‘til the morning, but I couldn’t say no to the excitement in my baby girl’s gaze.
As I watch Eden watching her mother, I can’t help thinking how perfect this moment feels. I was worried Petra would be furious when she learned the truth about my feelings for Eden, but she was surprisingly okay with it.
Apparently Petra had already been planning to suggest we end the marriage. It’s just as well. I know she’s still grieving Dan’s loss, but someday she might feel strong enough to open her heart to someone new.
Regardless of what the future holds, my lawyers say there’s a good chance we’ll be able to secure an annulment.
“Oh, Eden, this is beautiful.” Petra cradles the golden locket Eden picked out for her between her hands.
“Open it, Mom.” My baby girl’s practically bouncing on the rug with excitement.
Petra teases the locket open and gasps. “This is… Oh, this is…I don’t have the words.”
Tears spill down Petra’s cheeks as she gazes at the small photos of Dan and Eden inside the locket.
“I didn’t mean to make you cry,” Eden says.
“They’re happy tears, sweetheart, I promise.”
Eden rushes over to hug her mom. “I’m so glad you like it.”
“Like it? I love it. Thank you so much. This means the world to me.”