Page 24

Chapter 24

Aiden

“You have some explaining to do, young man,” Mom demands hotly as I step through the front door. “What the hell were you thinking? Have you lost your mind?”

I drop my car fob in the bowl on the entrance table, then walk past her. She didn’t make a scene at the pool house—thankfully—but her furious appearance was enough to create tension on the car ride home with Scarlett. I hope she believed when I told her this changes nothing between us.

“Are you going to answer me?”

There’s only one reason for taking the front entrance after dropping Scarlett off: to set the record straight. I’m done being a pawn for my parents. As of today, I’m making them aware of everything that’s been going on.

“Aiden, I’m talking to you—”

She stops short as Dad comes down the stairs, taking them two at a time, urgency stamped on his face. “Honey, I’ve got an emergency at the office. Gotta run.”

An emergency, my ass. He’s not even trying to find an original lie.

“Sweetie, Melinda has been toiling over breakfast all morning. Can’t it wait?”

“Emergencies usually can’t wait.” I resist an eye roll as he gives Mom a lingering kiss, then swats her behind. “I’ll be home before you know it.”

He squeezes my shoulder in passing. “Next time, you’re coming with me. It’s high time you start getting more experience for next year.”

“I need to talk to you about that—”

“Plenty of time later, son.” He doesn’t even miss a beat. The door slams behind him as he goes out.

“This is all your fault,” Mom snaps behind me. I turn to meet her bitter expression.

“You know exactly where he’s going, don’t you?” I ask as she walks toward me.

“I’m not dumb, Aiden. Of course I know. Am I surprised? No. After that stunt you just pulled, your father now knows we aren’t even close to getting the connection he needs. Thank you, Aiden for fucking up my life.”

A derisive scoff flies from my mouth. “ I messed up your life, not the guy who cheats with everything that moves—”

My head jerks back as she slaps my cheek. It stings like fuck, but I don’t flinch.

“Don’t you dare speak to me that way. I am your mother.”

Pointing out the truth has nothing to do with her birthing me, but whatever. Her emotions are too high. I’m tabling this conversation until she calms down. “I’m going to hit the books, Mom. Talk to you later.”

“Don’t you dare walk away from me!” She grabs my arm and pulls me back. It’s so unexpected that I lose my balance and fall flat on my ass. She stands over me menacingly and for the first time, I see how deranged she is. Shaking my head, I push to stand.

“His actions are getting to you, Mom. Walk away before you lose it all. Before you lose me.”

She scoffs harshly, her eyes filling with tears. “Bullshit. You’re not going anywhere without that money.” She closes the gap, her chin tilting. “Which is why you’re going to help me fix this. You’re going to dump that bitch and get Casey back. You hear me?”

For a long, painful moment, I stare down at her. My brain struggles to connect this desperate figure to the woman who gave me so much love. “I don’t know who you are, but I want my mom back.” I ease past her.

This time, she follows me. “I’m not bluffing. Aiden. You dump that girl or you won’t see a cent from your trust fund—”

“Keep it.” Sick of that threat, I stop at the foot of the stairs. “What you saw wasn’t a stunt. I like Scarlett and I’m going to be with her. If keeping that money makes you happy, go right ahead. I’m not going to be your pawn anymore.”

A sob breaks from her lips, then another, until she’s crying uncontrollably in front of me. I try to harden my heart but fuck, I’m a sucker for my mother’s tears. She cries even harder when I pull her into my arms.

“Aiden, please. Just give him what he wants. Save our family. Did you notice how much he changed when I told him our plan?”

“Stop being na?ve, Mom. He didn’t change.” I ease her back gently. “He’ll never change. Divorce him or he’s going to destroy what goodness you have left.”

“I helped him build this empire. I’m not walking away from it,” she replies fiercely.

“You’re entitled to half—”

“I don’t want half. I want it all!” She pushes away from me. “I’m not going to let some tramp inherit what I worked so hard for.”

She’s a lost cause. I’m not going to let her drag me down with her. “You’re on your own,” I reply, moving up the stairs.

“What are you going to do after college, Aiden?” she calls after me. “Do you think your father will want you working for him when he finds out? He’s going to kick your ass to the curb for not helping his business when you had the chance.”

Halfway up the stairs, I turn to look down at her. If Mom had bothered coming to one single game, she would know that comment doesn’t affect me one bit. I’d love to burst that bubble, but it’s not yet time.

“I hope you see reason, Mom, because I hate this for you.”

Her sobbing follows me the entire way, but this time, I put a wall around my heart.