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I open my arms, and she throws herself into them without a moment of hesitation. Hugging her, I glance across the room and spot Chloe standing with her back to a wall. She gives me a small wave, and I nod at her. I want to talk to her so badly, but at that moment, my mom releases a shuddering sob. I remind myself that I need to deal with this mess first. I let go of Lauren and make my way closer to my mom and dad.
Dad looks up from his conversation and gives me a relieved look.
“Thank goodness, Parker,” he says. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
“What’s happened, exactly?”
Dad sighs and shakes his head. “It’s just like the first time, Parker. She took everything she could get her hands on and ran.”
I clench and unclench my hands into fists at my sides and grind my teeth.
“I told you,” I growl. “I told you!”
Dad flinches and then slowly nods. “Yes, son, I know. You did tell us. We should’ve listened to you. We just…we wanted to believe in Bethany so badly….”
I release a long breath and feel a pang of sympathy at the pain so clear in his eyes, but at the same time, I’m frustrated and irritated. None of this would’ve happened if he and my mom hadn’t been so stubborn when I tried to warn them. We could have avoided reliving this mistake if they had just left her in the past where she belonged.
“I know, Dad,” I reply. “But don’t you think I wanted that, too? That I wanted to believe Bethany had really changed? She’s my twin, for God’s sake! Not having her in my life is one of the hardest things I’ve ever experienced. She’s supposed to be my other half. My best friend and constant companion, but I know her too well. I know what she’s capable of and what she isn’t…and she’s not able to change herself so easily. She’s shallow and materialistic, and she’ll do just about anything to maintain the lifestyle she wants to live, so long as she doesn’t actually have to lift a finger to do it.”
When I’m done with my impromptu rant, my dad looks even more devastated and my mom’s crying even harder. I know my words are harsh, but I feel as if a burden has been lifted from my shoulders from having spoken them. I realize that I’ve been holding in a lot of resentment and hurt because of Bethany, and now, I’ve purged myself in a way. I’ve been completely honest about my feelings and have laid my cards on the table, so to speak. My parents might be upset about hearing the truth, but it all needed to be said.
“Parker, I know you’re angry,” my dad begins. “I know we messed up, but right now, we need to all come together and handle this situation.”
I sigh and shake my head. “Yes, Dad, I know. Once more, we’re cleaning up Bethany’s mess and dealing with the aftermath of her selfishness while she walks away without any real consequences.”
“That’s why we’ve called the police,” my dad replies and nods toward the officers. “We’re not letting Bethany get away with it again.”
I glance at the officers, who are watching us closely.
What has my dad been saying to them? How honest has he been? I can’t fully trust that he’s been completely truthful and upfront about Bethany, because that would mean acknowledging the mistakes he and Mom have made with her over the years, and I’m just not sure my dad is ready for that. He’s too proud and too reluctant to admit that there might be no hope for Bethany.
What am I supposed to do? I’m not going to sugar-coat anything if I talk to the cops, but I feel like I’m walking on a tightrope between the truth and hurting my parents more than they already are.
Before I can say another word, I feel a hand slip into mine. Surprised, I look down and find Chloe standing next to me, holding my hand. She gives me a small smile and squeezes my hand, and I instantly feel better. Supported. Cared for.
I’m not alone. She’s standing beneath the tightrope I’m balancing on, holding a net to catch me if I fall.
This woman…God, this woman. What have I ever done to deserve having someone like her at my side? Suddenly, the idea of her being pregnant with my baby doesn’t feel so overwhelming. If I’m going to have a child with anyone, build a life with anyone, I want it to be her.
She’s the woman I always want in my corner.
Taking a deep breath, I turn back to my father and meet his gaze.
“All right,” I murmur, feeling calmer and more centered. “What do you need from me?”
Chapter twenty-five
Chloe
Parker doesn’t let go of my hand as he talks to the cop and tells him everything he knows about Bethany and her past crimes against the family. Standing next to him, listening to their conversation, I get even greater insight into everything Bethany has done.
In addition to embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from the family business, she also pawned off irreplaceable family heirlooms, including a collection of their great-grandmother’s jewelry. Apparently, she’s always been willing to steal and manipulate people to get what she wants.
“And why did your family never report her previous crimes against them?” one of the officers asks when Parker stops talking.
Glancing over at his parents, who are huddled together on the couch, I see his father stiffen. I’ve no doubt he’s trying to hear what Parker has to say.
Sighing, Parker answers, “I suppose there’s always been the hope that she’d change. That she’d come home and everything would be fine and work out. I never shared that hope, but I didn’t want to cause my parents more pain.”
