Page 23 of An Inevitable Marriage

My dad’s condition had worsened a bit over the past two weeks. Nothing major, but still enough for us to worry.

“I honestly don’t know how to answer that.” My mom sounded completely and utterly depleted. It broke my heart. “Your father had to go for more tests and another round of scans. Sometimes, I think they’re just doing all these things to get more money out of us.” A bitter laugh reached my ears. “Joke’s on them. We have nothing more to give.”

A sharp pain shot through my chest. I hated that my parents, who’d worked their butts off for years, now had nothing to show for it. It wasn’t fair.

“I’m sorry, Mom. I know things are difficult right now, but I don’t think they’ll do the tests on Dad if they weren’t absolutely necessary.”

“You’re probably right. It’s just…” Her voice broke, and it took a few deep breaths for her tone to even out again. “I never thought I’d miss working for Trent Stevens. Somehow, it feels like those days were far easier than this hell I’m in right now.”

I didn’t know what to say. My mom must have felt some kind of way if that was where her thoughts were at.

“You know, if you and your sister were here things wouldn’t be half as bad. Parents and children shouldn’t be apart. Especially not at a time like this.”

Squeezing my eyes shut, I tried to ignore the guilt eating at my insides. When my parents made the move to Portsmouth, my mom had begged my sister and me to go with them.

Since we were all afraid Natalie’s father would harm my sister just to spite Natalie, Cece had listened. But the moment she’d found out Trent Stevens wasn’t a threat anymore, she’d packed her bags and moved.

She was currently doing her BFA in dance at Florida University.

I was still here in New York.

We weren’t just a quick drive away from each other anymore.

But small-town life wasn’t for me. Or for my sister, for that matter.

My mom just had a hard time coming to terms with it.

“I’ll come visit soon, I promise. In the meantime, I’ll send you money to cover some of the hospital bills.”

Sniffles filtered through the line. “I don’t want your money, Everlee, I want my kids here where they’re supposed to be.” Her tone was a little more off than usual but I guessed it was to be expected.

“I know, Mom. I’m sorry.” Emotion welled up in my throat, and I said goodbye before my mom could hear it. Once the line was dead, I couldn’t keep the tears from running down my cheeks.

Sadness, shame, guilt. I felt it all.

I should’ve been with my mom. She needed someone to lean on, someone to support her. I should’ve been with my dad, too.

That’s why you’re marrying Liam Maxwell.

Quickly wiping under my eyes, I pocketed my phone and spun around. A very unladylike high-pitched squeal left my throat when I almost slammed into Liam.

“What the hell? Were you listening to my conversation?”

“Your father’s ill?” he asked, completely ignoring my question.

Crossing my arms in front of me, I blew out a breath. “I asked you first.”

Eyes locked on me, his jaw pulsed a few ticks faster. “Yes.”

“I can’t believe you. That’s so rude.”

He shrugged. “Had to make sure you weren’t talking to some guy. I don’t care how dire my situation is, I refuse to be played for a fool.”

“That goes both ways, you know?” When Liam just kept looking at me, I sighed. “I wouldn’t have offered to do this if I was involved with someone.”

His eyes narrowed into thin icy slits. “What’s wrong with your father?”

“He’s…he’s…” That irritating sting in my throat returned. Refusing to be weak or vulnerable before this man, I swallowed the tears and lifted my chin. “You know what? It’s none of your business.”