My breathing picks up as we take the few steps before the vestibule. Keith’s hand lightly brushes mine, and when I look up at him, he smiles at me encouragingly.
God, please. Let this day go well!
“Cookie, how are you doing?” Gram is the first person to greet me.
“I’m doing good, Gram. How are you?” My anxiety leaves me as I hug my grandmother. I’ve missed her so much.
She presses kisses on both my cheeks before we walk farther into the room hand in hand, Keith trailing behind.
“Mom.” I wave to my mother, who remains seated on one of our antique living room chairs. I haven’t talked to her since that night when I asked her for security on my trip. That night it felt like we broken some ice between us, but today she again looks like the same cold, guarded person.
“Hi, Ozzie.” I put my arms around Oscar’s waist and squeeze him tight. I’m really hoping for my brother to be on my side today.
Oscar shakes Keith’s hand. “I’m sorry you had to drive Clem. If she’d have shared her plans and summoned me sooner, I would have sent someone.”
“That’s no problem.” Keith smiles his charming smile.
I think there’s a hint of surprise on my brother’s face before his gaze shifts from Keith to me.
“We’re so proud of you, Clem.” It takes me a while to realize he’s talking about the fashion show.
“Yeah, I watched your show. You looked so beautiful in that blue dress.” The corner of Gram’s eyes crinkle and an affectionate smile lights her face.
“Thanks, Gram. Vanessa surprised me with that dress.” My heart inflates a little watching the proud faces of my family. I hope they have the same smile after I share the big news with them.
As soon as we all take a seat, Mrs. Lurch arrives with coffee and cake. She gives me a soft smile before passing everyone a cup.
“Thank you so much, Mr. Adams, for finally bringing Clementine home.”
I notice Keith’s grip tighten around his coffee cup upon hearing my mother’s words.
Holy shit! He was right. Mom still expects me to return.
“I have some news.” My stomach churns and I wish I hadn’t taken a sip of that coffee. I force the nausea back and glance toward Keith, who gives me a small smile and nods.
“What’s going on, Clem?” There is slight trepidation in Oscar’s voice as his gaze shifts between me and Keith.
“Keith and I, we are…together.”
For several beats, there’s a dead silence in the room. I can almost hear my own breathing.
“Are you fucking serious?” Oscar’s jaw clenches as his blue eyes bore into me before fixing on Keith. “Do you know she’s fifteen years younger than you?”
Crap! Oscar repeats the words Keith has spoken to me several times.
“You are also older than Kristy. An age gap between couples is no crime,” I reply.
“It’s fifteen fucking years, Clem.” My brother’s mouth presses into a thin line. “You were kidnapped because someone thought you were his daughter, his fucking daughter.”
Before I can defend our relationship more, my mother chimes in, “Mr. Adams, are you aware of Clementine’s father’s will?”
Keith stiffens beside me, his entire body taut. My own muscles freeze as my mother continues.
“My husband was a very clever man. You might have heard about him. Family ties, togetherness, the Hawthorne name meant a lot to him. He made some rules to ensure that our kids don’t lose everything when they go rogue in their twenties, as they always do.” Her gaze moves from Keith to me. “Something like Clementine’s doing now, your daughter might be doing in a few years.” My mother pauses, a vicious smile on her face.
“Any Hawthorne who decides to do their own thing, outside of Hawthorne Estate, is not entitled to any of the funds. This is why Clementine had to live meagerly when she moved to St. Peppers. It was not entirely a choice. Except—” She stops abruptly, and I know where she’s going.
My face heats with shame. This was the reason I didn’t want to do this in person.