“Here, let me give you a take-home pack to say thanks for helping me. I saved two packs, so I would love you to have one,” she says, moving away from me.
I let her go even though I don’t want her to, but I get it, she has this goal, and I’m kind of messing it up. I understand now why she’s keeping me at a distance like she is. She hands me a dozen cupcakes in a white cardboard box, and I take it from her.
“Thanks again for helping me today, I appreciate it. But I don’t want to keep you from your day,” she says, eyeing the bouquet of flowers that I placed down on the chair while I helped.Does she think they’re for another woman?
“My brother had a baby. This is for his partner, and the cupcakes will be for dessert tonight,” I explain to her.
Elle nods and gives me a warm smile.
Right, I’m making her uncomfortable being near her in public.
“I’ll get going. Congrats on a successful day.” With a small wave, I turn on my heel and head for home.
* * *
“You made it, sweetheart,” my mother says, answering the door of my family home. She gives me a kiss on each cheek.
“I brought dessert. The cupcakes are some of the best,” I say, handing her the take-home box. “I ate one when I got home, sorry.”
“Aw, that’s so thoughtful of you, my dear,” she says, giving me a warm smile, but I can see the tension pulling against her face, wondering if I’m going to lose my mind or not. I promised I’d be on my best behavior tonight, no matter what my dickhead of a brother does to me.
“This is for Miranda.” I show my mother the flowers.
“You didn’t have to do that, but I appreciate it,” she says, giving me a small smile as she takes the flowers from me.
“Alistair, my boy, good to see you,” my dad calls out down the hallway as I shake off the rain from my coat, then I hang it up in the front entrance mudroom. He walks down the hallway to give me a welcoming hug.
Things have been strained in the family since the entire situation blew up, and I don’t come around as much as I used to. This Christmas, I’m going to be sunning myself on the beaches of Australia, far, far away from here where I know the day will be about the first grandchild’s first Christmas. No thanks, I’ll pass this year. The baby has no idea what’s happening around him, so I won’t be missed.
“It’s like a Band-Aid, rip it off, and then it won’t hurt so much,” my father whispers in my ear as he squeezes my shoulder and pushes me down the hallway to where I can hear the screams of a newborn baby.
Wow! That’s so loud.
We walk into the living room, and my heart stops, and my stomach drops as I see Miranda rocking a little bundle in her arms, and the image feels like a dagger to the chest. Then I watch as my brother walks over and kisses Miranda on the forehead as he looks down lovingly at his baby.
I can’t do this.
I can’t be here and pretend these two didn’t rip my heart out with their betrayal.
“Miranda, sweetheart, Ali got you these beautiful flowers,” my mother says, pulling me from my thoughts.
Miranda looks up, and she gives me a bright smile as if she’s happy to see me.
I can’t do this.
My brother turns around, and I see the delight on his face as he takes in my pain.
I can’t do this.
“Doesn’t Miranda make the most beautiful new mother?” he says, kissing her temple while his eyes narrow on mine. “Didn’t think she could get any more perfect, and then she produces me a boy. The next heir in the King family,” he says with a wide grin, knowing he’s beaten me to the next heir in the family.
Yep. I’m out.
“Sorry, Dad, can’t deal with this shit,” I whisper to him, and he nods in understanding.
“Congratulations, guys, on little Gabriel. He’s very tiny. Unfortunately, I can’t stay for dinner. There’s a problem at work that I must sort out,” I tell the room.
Miranda looks up at me with her face full of hurt and regret. Mum gasps beside me and tries to convince me to stay, but I’m not ready to accept all this.
“See, I told you, Mum, he’d make a scene.” George moans as I step out of the room.
“George,” my father’s deep voice warns my brother.
Fuck this.