Page 43 of Falling Like Leaves (Bramble Falls #1)

I use the key I keep in my wallet to let myself into the apartment. Sunlight floods the living room, revealing our spotless space. So spotless that it’s almost lifeless. There’s no evidence that Dad’s been here since we left.

Mom always did the dishes, but there aren’t any dirty ones on the counter or in the sink. She washed the laundry, but there are no dirty shirts thrown across the back of the couch or piled in the corner. She took out the trash, but the bin isn’t overflowing.

I can’t imagine Dad doing any of those things. Maybe he hired a housekeeper.

With the exception of a few condiments, the refrigerator is nearly empty. Not surprising since he’s probably been getting takeout without Mom here to cook, but I am starving.

I try calling Dad for the hundredth time today as I make my way to my bedroom, but he doesn’t answer.

Mom has been calling and texting me since I left town, but I have nothing to say to her.

Sloane texted to ask if I was okay, but I’m not and I don’t feel like pretending to be.

So I don’t text her back. After grabbing a change of clothes, I hop in the shower because the bus was disgusting.

As I’m getting dressed fifteen minutes later, I’m still replaying my conversation with Cooper like a song on repeat. But when I get to the part where he says he doesn’t belong in my life here, tears spill—just like they did every time I thought about it on the nearly three-hour bus ride here.

What would have happened when I came home in a few weeks?

Would he have said the same thing? Was he always planning to break up with me when I left, or did he just not like being blindsided by my sudden departure?

Does it even matter? He gave me an ultimatum—him or the future I’ve been working toward for years.

My thoughts continue to spiral, a heavy emptiness crushing my lungs, until the sound of the apartment door closing startles me. I trudge out to the hallway to let Dad know I’m here. Does he know Mom is buying a house in Bramble Falls? Was I the only one left in the dark?

I’m nearly to the living room when a woman’s laugh floats through the apartment.

Who would be here on a Saturday afternoon? Maybe the new housekeeper?

When I turn the corner, Dad’s there—standing behind a familiar blond woman, with his one arm around her waist, murmuring something in her ear. My feet stop moving, giving my brain time to figure out what’s going on.

But I can’t. The only explanation I can come up with is too devastating to consider.

Dad drops his arm and grins at her. “I’ll just grab some clothes and we can go.”

He turns and comes face-to-face with me. I’ve never seen him look so stricken.

“Ellis,” he finally says. “What are you doing here?”

It takes all of me to unclench my teeth enough to answer. “What are you doing here?”

He glances at the woman. “You remember Catherine Howe, right? You met at the gala.”

Yes, that’s it—the executive producer with the gorgeous gold dress.

“And you’re having a business meeting in our apartment on a Saturday?” I ask, not bothering to say hello to his colleague .

Dad tugs on his collar. “Does your mom know you’re here?”

I shrug. “Don’t know. Don’t care. Does she know about this ?” I point my finger between them.

“I’m going to go wait outside…,” Catherine mumbles.

Dad doesn’t respond. He keeps his eyes glued on mine while she makes her way out. As soon as the door closes, he sighs. “Your mom knows, yes.”

“So, you just thought since we were gone, it was okay to have an affair?” I ask. He stares at me but says nothing. I gasp as the realization occurs to me. “Oh my god. You were already having an affair. That’s why we left in the first place.”

No. No, no, no.

“Please tell me I’m wrong,” I say, my voice cracking. I need to be wrong.

Dad runs his hand through his hair. “You’re not wrong.”

“But… why? I mean, how long?” I take a step back, shaking my head. “How could you?”

“Things between your mom and me have been rocky for a long time. You know that.”

“Well, yeah, because you’re sleeping with someone else!”

He sighs. “We were struggling long before that. We’ve been struggling since having you, if I’m being honest.”

My eyebrows shoot up. “Oh yes, please be honest, Dad. Please tell me about how my existence ruined your marriage. Dying to hear all about it.”

“That’s not what I mean, Ellis,” he says. “Can we sit?”

“Go right ahead. But I will not be sitting with you, no,” I say. “I can barely look at you right now.”

A flash of hurt passes over his face before he nods. He doesn’t sit as he continues. “I just meant that I didn’t realize your mom would change so much after we agreed she should quit her job and stay home with you.”

Images of Mom these past couple of months flicker through my mind. She’s been so happy working at the art store and painting again. I can’t imagine her wanting to give up her job doing something she loved. “Did you both agree? Or did you make her quit her job?”

He scoffs. “Of course I didn’t make her. I just told her I thought it would be best if you were her full-time job. Why should a nanny have raised you when your mom could contribute to our family in that way?”

“You can’t be serious right now.” I narrow my eyes at him. “Then why didn’t you do it? Why didn’t you give up your career to raise me?”

Dad scoffs. “She worked at an art gallery, Ellis. She didn’t make enough money to support us. She barely made more than she did when she was selling her own artwork.”

“And let me guess, you made her give that up, too?”

“Again, I didn’t make her do anything. We both agreed that painting was more of a hobby, and it was important for her to get a real job. So she started working at the gallery—until we had you.”

I stare at him, suddenly feeling like a stranger to my own family. Like a spectator with a bird’s-eye view of my own life, seeing it from a whole new perspective, discovering the truth behind my parents’ dynamic.

I think I’m going to be sick.

“Okay, so to be clear,” I say, “you made her give up everything that was important to her, everything that made her happy; then you decided you didn’t like who she became while she dedicated her entire self to raising me and supporting our family because you told her to; and then you started having an affair with a younger woman with a career? ”

The silence in our sterile apartment smothers me as the things I said to my mom swirl around in my head. I was awful to her.

“Ellie Belly…” Dad steps toward me.

“No. I’ve looked up to you my whole life, Dad.

When you were too busy working when I was little, I became interested in what you were interested in so you’d acknowledge me.

I’ve been desperate for your attention for as long as I can remember.

Striving to make you proud of me. Trying to be just like you.

” I let my tears fall because I’m tired of trying to not be emotional for his sake.

“I’m your daughter , and yet as soon as we were gone, you treated me like a client.

Hell, if I were a client, I probably would have gotten a phone call that was longer than three minutes.

And the worst part is that I became nothing but a nuisance to you because you were so wrapped up in your girlfriend .

I mean, she’s the reason you told me not to come the night I wanted to visit, right? ”

Dad looks at the floor but says nothing.

“Yeah, that’s what I thought.” I walk over to the counter and grab my wallet and phone.

“Where are you going?”

“I don’t know. Anywhere that isn’t here.”

“Stay. I’ll cancel my plans with Catherine,” he says.

“No, don’t bother.”

Dad follows me as I head to the door. “Your mom told me she’s buying a house in Connecticut. I know you’re mad at me right now, Ell, but please don’t let that place derail you from the goals you’ve worked so hard toward.”

I stop at the door. With my back to him, I close my eyes, trying not to scream.

“You blew up our family, and the only thing you’re worried about is whether I’m still going to get into Columbia?

” I turn to face him, and for the first time, he doesn’t look like the confident, invincible man I’ve always known.

He looks… pathetic. I feel like, for the first time, I’m finally seeing my dad for who he really is.

He takes a step toward me. “Ellis—”

“No, Dad. I’m not interested in your advice, not if it gets me to where you are now.” I shake my head as I turn the doorknob. “I hope you miss Mom and me now that you’ve lost us. But, then again, I’m not sure you can miss someone you never really knew.”

I walk out and slam the door closed, leaving behind the person I spent my life loving most in the whole world.