Page 40 of Broken Discipline

“Sometimes, the best way to get what you want is to wait for the right moment,” I said. Their eyes flicked back and forth across my face. “Maybe you have to wait until after you finish school to get back at that kid, but by then, you’ll be an adult, and you can take him out however you want.”

“Like taking him out to lunch?” Leon asked.

I hesitated, trying to find the right words.

“No, Daddy means like, the zoo, like where they take the animals outside,” Larkin said.

I stifled a chuckle, my jaw straining. It was useless, but if it was my fault that they were like this, then I had to do something about it.

“You’re right,” I said. “Always protect your family. But if it’s a few mean words, then wait until the time is right. Trust me.” I cracked my neck. “Revenge is best served cold.”

“What’s revenge?” Leon asked.

“You know, the red bench, Leon. From the big kid’s playground?” Larked said in a sassy voice. “Thered bench.”

I ruffled her hair, smiling down at both of them. I’d have to wait a few more years to have that conversation again. Right now was not the time.

“So are we in trouble?” Larkin asked.

I rubbed my forehead. “Have you learned your lesson?”

“Yes,” they both said automatically.

“Then what is it?”

They looked at each other. “Uh…” Larkin stammered.

Leon gasped. “Use your words!” he shouted. “Use your words, Larkin!”

“Yeah! And Mama says,don’t hit.If someone hits you, go to Mommy and Daddy and Mrs. Becca,” Larkin added.

I stood up, squeezing their tiny shoulders. “That’s right. Good job,” I said.

“I’m glad you’re our daddy now,” Leon said. “Sir wouldn’t have been as nice.”

“Me too. I knew Mama would like you,” Larkin said.

My heart sank to my feet. They called Bruce ‘Sir,’ just like Ramona had. But I was glad I was their ‘Daddy.’ I had always assumed I would have kids, but it was hard to imagine what being a father would be like. But now that I was here with the twins, it was surreal. Like guarding a piece of me. Seeing the world through new eyes again.

“I’m glad too,” I said.

And with those words, I was right back when I first started visiting them at Fairview Elite Academy. They had enrolled in the Young Learners Program when they were six months old. It had been difficult to watch them from afar at first; Ramona rarely let them out of her sight. But at two years old, she finally let them have a few hours by themselves in the program. And after a hefty donation to the academy, I began to volunteer.

I wish you were my daddy,Larkin had said.

My daddy too,Leon had said.

Hearing them say that made my world swirl with anger and fear, and fucking hope. Hope that one day, it would be true.

And now, it was.

My eyes burned, and I kissed the tops of their heads. They were already back to coloring. I closed the door behind me, glancing around for Ramona or the nanny. One of them was usually close by.

Chip appeared at my side, running a hand over his bald head.

“Ramona is packing to leave,” he said cautiously. He nodded in the direction of the master bedroom. “The children’s bags are already packed.”

My stomach tightened. I knew that this day would come. In the four and a half years she had been married to Bruce, Ramona hadnevertried to leave him, and yet at the first sign of intimacy with me, she bolted.