Chapter 35
Violet
I sip my coffee as I stare into space. The last week has been a blur, firstly shock and horror that Gabriel found us, and then devastation as my worst fears came true.
He came, he met them, and when I purposely pushed to see how committed he was, he left without a fight.
He doesn’t want to be in their lives, and I know I should be grateful that he’s at least being honest, but it doesn’t make me feel any better.
I’m sad for the kids, it was one thing when he didn’t know they existed, but now that he
does… How will I explain this to them when they are older?
What a fool.
These two children are a gift, and how he doesn’t want to be a part of their life is beyond
- me.
I put my head into my hands. Maybe everything he said about me is true. Maybe I am the
world’s most selfish person. He thinks I kept them a secret out of spite… Did I?
No, I kept it a secret to protect them…if he can’t see that, then screw him.
We owe him nothing anyway, and there’s no more wondering what if.
At least now I know.
Friday night.
I empty the jar of sauce into the pasta as I stare into space. Lucy is watching television in the living room and Dom is upstairs somewhere.
I’ve had a shitty day, got abused by an asshole work client whose loan application got
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declined and it kind of spiraled from there. I came home, had a shower and immediately opened a bottle of wine. There are some benefits to being the only adult living here, I get to
o whatever the hell I want to…as long as it doesn’t involve leaving the house.
“Mom, someone’s at the door,” Lucia calls.
“Who is it?” I frown, ugh…who the hell is coming over at this hour?
“I don’t know,” she calls, uninterested, and returns to watching her show.
I flick my tea towel over my shoulder and walk through the house and open the front door
a rush. Cold dark eyes meet mine. “Gabriel.” Oh no.
“Hello.” We stare at each other for a beat.
“What are…”
“I’m here to see my children.” He cuts me off as he walks past me into the house. “Stay out
of my way.”
*Stay out of your way?” I gasp as I march after him. “That is…” I widen my eyes, about to
explode, “…not happening.”
Wearing a navy suit and tie, it’s obvious he has come straight from work. He dumps his laptop case onto the floor and looks around as he puts his hands on his hips. “Where are my
children?”
Something about him calling my children his children is like waving a red flag in front of me. “Listen.” I pull him by the arm into the kitchen so that they can’t hear us. “You do not get to show up here unannounced,” I whisper angrily.
“I just did.” His cold eyes hold mine, and he steps forward, causing me to step back. “I’m
staying here tonight.”
Something about his huge body with all its dominance standing over me makes my stupid body react, the air crackles between us and damn it, this hot asshole is infuriating.
“Yeah, well, it’s not happening. You’ll have to get a hotel or something.”
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Everything is booked out.”
Not my problem.”
“Let’s get one thing clear, Violet…” He takes another step forward, causing me to take another step back. “I am your problem, your only fucking problem. I will be staying here in this house with my children tonight.”
“No.”
“Call the police and have me removed.” His eyes flicker with fury. “I dare you.”
will have no hesitation in doing that, asshole.”
“Do you really want to start the war, Violet?”
“Bring it.
He gives me a slow, sarcastic smile.
“What the hell do you want from me?” I spit.
“Equality,” he growls. “And god damn it, you are going to fucking give it to me. I am here to
say goodbye to my children forever, and I’m staying here.”
“I don’t have a spare bedroom, there is nowhere for you to sleep.”
“I’ll sleep in your bed and you can sleep with the kids. It’s just one night.”
“I am not sleeping with the kids,” I scoff.
“Then you share a bed with me.” He raises a sarcastic eyebrow.
A million depraved thoughts run naked through my mind…
“That is out of the question,” I snap. I stare at him for a beat while I collect my thoughts.
Wait, what did he say?
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You’re here to say goodbye to them?” My eyes search his.
It’s for the best.” He tilts his chin to the sky in defiance.
Oh…my poor babies.
My heart runs into a puddle on the floor.
“Fine,” I whisper, distracted. “You stay in my bed and I’ll…” I pause, “…sleep somewhere else.”
He stares at me for a beat, and I get the feeling he’s collecting his thoughts as well. “Thank you.” He looks around the kitchen as if searching for the next thing to say. “What time is
dinner?‘ Fuck.
FUCK…
I’ve made Italian, but not just any Italian.
Bad Italian, really bad Italian.
The kind that will turn his stomach. Spaghetti Bolognese complete with pasta sauce that came in a jar and instant pasta, it’s not even good instant pasta, it’s cheap crap I bought for
ninety–nine cents.
Oh, fuck my life…
“I’m sorry, I didn’t make enough for you.”
He glances at the huge saucepan simmering away and amusement flashes across his face. “There is plenty, I’m sure it will be just as good as my mother’s.”
That’s it!
“Listen here, you..
”
“Hi.” Lucy comes around the corner, cutting me off.
Hell “Hello there.” Gabriel smiles down at her. “Do you remember me?” She nods in an over
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exaggerated way.
Gabriel looks around the house. “Where is your brother?”
&
“He’s upstairs,” Lucy gushes as she swings her arms in glee, ugh…does he have this effect on all women, even children?
“Can you go and get him for me, I have something to tell you.‘
Lucy skips off, and my eyes widen in horror. “What do you mean, you have something to
tell them both?” “I’m telling them.”
what…now?” I gasp.
“No time like the present.” He points to a dining chair. “Sit.”
I drop into the chair as all the blood drains from my body. “What are you going to say?”
“Whatever I fucking like,” he snaps.
*Gabriel…you can’t…they’re little children.”
“Relax, I’m not going to tell them that Mom got her pussy out on Dad’s desk…although I’m
positive that would make for a more interesting story.”
My eyes nearly bulge from their sockets. “Are you fucking serious… Do not dare tell them
and disappear, it isn’t fair.”
“Here he is.” Lucy walks into the kitchen, cutting me off again, Dom trailing behind her,
“Hello.” Gabriel smiles at both of them. Lucy smiles and Dominic looks him up and down
straight–faced.
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