Page 245 of Vexatious Queen

Her face fell like I’d punched her, and she looked away. I wasn’t sure if letting my anger out was helping or making it worse, because I didn’t feel better. But I refused to let her walk in and think the worst of the people I loved.

Just then, Liam and Myles stepped up to the open door, their smiles dropping as they spotted us inside.

“Is everythin’ okay,” Myles asked, the question tentative.

“Yes, perfect timing.” I pointed at the two of them. “You know what? Let’s get it all out into the open right now, since we are talking about decisions you don’t like. Yes, I’m married to Nash, but I’m also in a relationship with Myles, Liam, Blake, and even Theo.” I crossed my arms. “Got anything to say to that?”

Her mouth dropped a little as her eyes darted between the four of us as if expecting some sort of explosion.

“All five?”

“Yes, all five. And yes, they all know. And yes, we are all happy.”

Mum blinked like her brain was trying to make sense of what I’d said.

“Dad knows, and he is happy for me.”

I stood there and waited for the next wave of disapproval.

Instead, a little laugh bubbled up as her eyes darted between us. Mum covered her mouth, trying to hold it in, but it was no use.

“I’m…sorry,” she managed to get out before bursting into tears. Sobs wracked her body as she went over to the table and sat down.

I turned around and looked at Nash.

“Can you give us the room?”

He breathed a sigh of relief like I’d just handed him a get-out-of-jail-free card. He kissed my forehead as he passed me.

“Ya sure, yer gonna be alright,” Myles asked, his voice soft as he glanced at my mum, who was covering her face with her hands.

“I’ll find you guys after we’re done,” I said, nodding.

Nash walked out, gave a nod of encouragement, and closed the door.

Walking over to the desk, I picked up the tissues and then sat down at the table. I slid the box toward my mum.

She pulled a couple, and I hated that I’d made her cry. Yes, she’d left me in the most horrific way possible, but up until that moment, she’d been the best mother and friend anyone could ask for. Seeing her break down like this, when she wouldn’t even let me see her pain during chemo, was like a fist squeezing my heart.

“Mum, please don’t cry. I’m sorry I screamed at you.”

She shook her head. “No…don’t be sorry. You’re right. About all of it. I forfeited the right to tell you what to do when I let you believe I was dead.”

She blew her nose and locked eyes with me. I’d always envied the way they shifted from gray to bright blue, depending on the light. Right now, they were like a spring sky on an overcast day and filled with a confusing mix of emotions.

Reaching out, she placed her hand on mine. It was warm and soft, and everything I remembered.

“I’m the one who’s sorry. I shouldn’t have lost it like that, I…I’m dealing with some things that I haven’t faced yet, and they overlapped onto you. I don’t know Nash. I don’t know any of them. My baggage shouldn’t be involved in your life, let alone in the middle of your relationship.”

“Mum…please tell me. What is it? What happened?”

Her lower lip quivered. “I didn’t want you to end up like me. No parent, at least ones who love their child, wants them to suffer as they have. I never wanted you to become me.” She closed her eyes as a fresh wave of tears trailed down her cheeks. “I’m sorry…I’m so sorry, I thought I had come to terms with all of this, but apparently not.”

I remained quiet and waited.

“Part of the reason I did what I did was so that you wouldn’t have to grow up so fast. I wanted you to finish school and do whatever you wanted to do with your life. I wanted marriage to be your choice. I wanted you to pursue your dreams, to live where you wanted, all of it. I wanted you to have the world without strings, threats, or having to look over your shoulder. Your life would be yours and what you made of it.”

She started to cry again, and I grabbed her hands, tears pricking my eyes, but I swallowed it down.