Page 54 of Best Kept Vows

His good eye twinkled a spark of mischief despite how tired he looked. “No…promises.”

I left Hendrix to take care of Abraham, feeling sad for him but also wondering if it wouldn’t be the worst thing for him to go and leave the pain behind. I was so deep in thought that when Dolly’s voice pierced through, it gave me an instant headache.

Crap!

“Lia, we miss you at Sunday dinner…in fact, we miss youandSebastian.”

I gave Dolly a measured look. This woman had been a problem in our marriage from day one, but since I was taking a break from said marriage, she could go fuck herself.

“I don’t know why Sebastian chooses not to eat with you, but I stopped because I don’t like spending time with you or Coco.” I folded my arms and tilted my head, lazily waiting for her reaction.

She didn’t disappoint!

“How dare you speak to me like that?” she snapped. “Your husband’s already got one foot out the door. Everyone knows he’s seeing that woman from work. It’s only a matter of time before he leaves you.”

I grinned, meeting her cold stare with cool contempt. “Hard for him to leave me, Dolly, when Ialreadylefthim.”

It was petty but I loved the way her mouth fell open at my declaration.

“What?”

“You have a nice rest of your day.” I began to walk but stopped when she screamed my name. I turned to face her. “You have something to say?”

“What do you mean you left him?”she yelled at me.

“I moved out. I left the house where your son lives. I…packed up my things and left in a car and now live elsewhere. You get the picture?” I’d had enough of this woman. She was insipid and dreadful—and I felt fresh anger at Sebastian for forcing me to get along well with her. He knew her, and he made her my problem instead of protecting and caring for me.

“I get the picture just fine. If you’ve left my son, what are you doing here visiting with my husband?”

I wasn’t surprised she knew. There wasn’t much that happened in this house that Dolly wasn’t privy to. “I’mkeepingyourhusband company, Dolly, because he’s ill, and he’s dying—and his family seems to not give a damn about him.”

She crossed her arms, lips curled into a sneer. “I know what you’re up to—trying to butter him up now that your marriage is on the rocks. It won’t work. Sebastian has power of attorney. You’ll gain nothing.”

I burst out laughing, which gave me an unexpected surge of confidence. “Thank you for the warning, Dolly, though my lawyer believes I’ll be just fine if my marriage ends.”

I knew that would light a fire up her ass; silly little Lia getting a lawyer?

She raised an eyebrow, clearly startled. “Smart girl. But then, I always knew you were a gold digger.”

I felt a strange wave of clarity. Dolly’s attempts to intimidate no longer held any power over me. “What can I say, I’m good at what I do.”

Her eyes widened slightly, fury flashing briefly before she composed herself. “Get out of my house. You’re not welcome here any?—”

“This is Abraham’s house, and Iamwelcome here. Tell him and find out how he reacts to me not being allowed to see him whenever I want,” I said sweetly, adjusting my purse strap over my shoulder.

Dolly wouldn’t dare. Abraham might be paralyzed, but he still had the power to cut her allowance. He hadn’t relinquished all his control to Sebastian—his lawyer was trustee ofhisfinances,hence Dolly’s.

Without another glance, I turned on my heel and walked away, leaving her standing speechless in the grand foyer. For the first time in over two decades, since I stepped into this house, I left feeling good.

CHAPTER 20

Sebastian

Perplexed, I looked at my assistant. “Who?”

“Your mother…Mrs. Dolly Boone,” Kayla repeated.

“Here?”