Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 133688 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 668(@200wpm)___ 535(@250wpm)___ 446(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 133688 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 668(@200wpm)___ 535(@250wpm)___ 446(@300wpm)
She lowers her eyes and is reluctant to speak. “After she told him she was pregnant, he promised to leave you. Gave her this whole speech about being a family and giving her everything she ever wanted. She was sleeping with him, so he probably fed her whatever she wanted to hear, but either way, she believed him. When she provided us with a DNA test that proved Anthony was his, we were adamant about you never knowing. So she blackmailed us to keep her secret.”
Hearing that is a punch to the gut, but I’m not entirely shocked either. If he was capable of cheating on me when I was pregnant, then he was capable of leaving me too. If he would’ve been up front about not being happy in our marriage, the fight that resulted in his death might’ve never happened.
Or rather, I should’ve confronted him months before that and left him. I stayed because I wanted our son to have a family, but that takes a lot more than two people being married.
“And I’m guessing the money ran out pretty quickly, and she knew she could score the cash to help take out Noah if she blackmailed you again.”
“Yes,” she confirms. “That’s my best guess.”
“I want to believe you had no idea what she had planned, but I have to keep Owen safe. Until she comes out of hiding and can be caught, protecting my son is my priority.”
“I understand that more than you know, Katie. I wanted to protect my son too. His image. His wife and child. I wish I knew why he cheated on you, and I don’t want to believe he told Brittany those things, but regardless, I love him no matter what, just like you love Owen. Whether it was a mistake or he really planned to leave, I’m not sure. Just know my intentions were pure.”
“I believe you, Loretta,” I say, meaning every word. She’s been there for me since the moment Owen arrived, and I’d never second-guess her love for him. However, since I don’t know what Brittany has planned next and how she involved Loretta, I won’t take any chances.
“Thank you. I understand you have to do what’s best for Owen, but please let me see him soon. We miss him terribly.”
I nod. “I’ll consider it, okay?”
“For what it’s worth, I like seeing you happy. I hope Noah realizes how amazing you are.” She grins.
“I appreciate that.” I smile, feeling the weight melt off my shoulders now that it’s no longer a secret. “Owen really likes him too.”
“I’m sure he does. I wish I could forgive and forget like you, but as a mother—”
“You don’t have to explain anything to me,” I interject. “I can’t imagine that kind of pain. It hurts too much to even think about how I’d cope if I lost Owen. I’ll never put that kind of pressure on you, and Noah will never push those boundaries either. But now you know where I stand and that Noah is in our lives now. Permanently.”
“Thanks for telling me. And thank you for taking the time to speak to me. I was going crazy after you stopped answering my calls.”
“I better go and pick up Owen before my mom starts to worry,” I tell her, reaching for my keys.
“Alright, dear. Drive safe. Give him a hug and kiss from me, okay?”
I flash her a small smile. “Will do.”
Loretta walks back to her car, and then I get into mine. My heart races, and my brain buzzes. I can’t believe that conversation just happened, but I’m relieved as hell. It’s believable that she’d pay Brittany to get out of town to protect Gabe. Image is everything to the Reids, especially when it comes to their only son. The question now remains: where the hell is Brittany and who is she conspiring with?
As soon as I get to my parents', I wrap Owen in a big hug.
“Mom!” He wiggles. “You’re suffocating me!”
I giggle, then kiss his cheeks. “I missed you!”
My mom chuckles. “He got hungry, so I fed him some mac ’n cheese.”
“Thanks. Guess that means you’ll have extra time to take a bath,” I muse, ruffling his greasy hair. “Because you definitely need it.”
“Mom!” He groans, rolling his eyes, then walks away.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” I call out as we head out the door.
On the way home, Owen tells me all about his day.
“Speaking of school, have you seen Anthony in class lately?”
“No, the teacher said he’s sick. He’s been out all week.”
Hmm…well, that confirms my suspicions then. She might’ve taken him out of school so people thought she left, but I’m not convinced this is over. And the thought scares me to death.
Since Belinda fired her, who knows where she could be now.
“You go wash up, then put on some clean jammies,” I tell him when we go into the house. “Clean underwear too.”