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“Without my dad, stepmom, sister, and Xander?” Paul cocked a brow.
Dad wagged his finger at him and grinned. “Smooth move. Okay. You have a reprieve, for now.”
Marriage was something I wanted with Paul, but he didn’t want to remarry. We were in love and committed to each other. And right now, the deposition was our priority.
“I’m hungry. Indian food?” Dani asked and stared around.
“How about I cook?” Alan announced.
Dani, Paul, and Gunnar all said, “Yes, please.”
“I’ll help,” Dani headed towards the kitchen.
“I’ll eat,” Gunnar added.
The three of them followed Opal into the kitchen, leaving Paul with Dad.
“Honey, can you help me put my stuff away?” Mom asked me.
We both knew the housekeepers were already unpacking their bags.
Paul went over to Dad. He must have felt my eyes on him and looked over. He smiled and mouthed, “It’s fine.” He walked next to the chair as they moved down the hall to his office.
Mom squeezed my waist. “Paul will be all right. Your dad’s a softie through and through. He can handle it.”
We went to one of the guest bedrooms on the main floor. There was a housekeeper putting their clothes away.
“So, are you okay with us here?” she asked, reading my mind. We sat on the chairs and Opal came in, giving us tea. “Thank you.”
When she left, I answered, “I’m always happy to see you both, you know that. But if the case moves to a trial and I have to testify, I don’t want to share what happened on the boat in front of you.”
“Gunnar said it would be hard, so I got him to show us the police statements—”
“No! Why did he do that?” Bile rose in my throat, and my skin heated. I didn’t want my mom to know every detail of what happened to me.
“You’re our daughter. I am not interested in what the press says, I needed your words. I needed to hear what you wouldn’t share with us in Texas. And I…I have so much hate for them. The counseling?”
“Is helpful,” I murmured.
“Good, but I still feel guilty. It all happened because I burdened you with our problems.” Her voice trembled.
I shook my head. “That’s not true. I regret trusting Sophie and Isabelle. I regret not sharing with Paul that I might have been pregnant earlier. But I never regret helping us. I would do it again…Paul saved Dad. I’m grateful.”
“I am too, but please don’t be mad at Gunnar. I like how he doesn’t hide things. He’s been good to us and made Dad’s treatment easier. I feel like the enormous weight I carried trying to keep it all together is lighter because of him.” I studied her then. Her dark circles were gone, and so was the tension in her body. She appeared relaxed, calmer. Mom deserves that.
The weight also shifted off my conscience. I always worried about Mom and Dad before, but thanks to Paul, I didn’t anymore. I trusted he was getting the best care. And that alone allowed me to let go of my anger for Gunnar. After all, Paul warned me there would never be secrets between us. The more we know, the more we help each other.
“I’ll leave Gunnar alone…Oh, there is some other news. I…I know all about Nora.”
Mom’s eyes widened, and I shared what I knew from the information collected by the private investigator.
Mom lowered her head. “If you want a relationship with her—”
“I don’t; I just want some answers. That’s it. Celeste did what worked for her. She neglected me and gave me up. Had she not, who knows what would have happened to me? I count myself as extremely lucky, Mom. I’ve had you and Dad, and I couldn’t have better parents. And you know, I’m glad she’s been blessed with a second chance to do it right. And for the sake of her kids, I hope she does.”
Mom shook her head. “I just can’t believe she has a whole family, but I’m grateful she left you with me. You are our world, Nadia. We couldn’t love you more, and we tried our best.”
I wrapped my arm around her shoulder. “You and Dad are the best; I don’t need anything else.”
