Page 38 of Shattered Hope

“Even if things aren’t serious between you, as you claim, you could tell me a bit about yourself, don’t you think?” she asked me while we ate.

Of course, she wasn’t going to give up so easily. “Fair enough. What would you like to know?” I asked, cautiously, while I tried to remember what I had told Jayden so far, so I didn’t fall in contradictions.

“Were you born in Hawaii?” she asked.

“Yes, I was. My father is Hawaiian.”

“Is he still alive?”

“Yes, he is,” or at least, I thought he was.

He used to send me a card for my birthday every year, but I hadn't received the last one. I had left Daniel by then.

“What about your mother?”

“She passed away last year. My parents were divorced.”

“You must miss her terribly,” she said in a polite tone.

“I can’t say I do. We were never close, and sometimes I think my mother only brought me with her because she wanted to hurt my father, not because she loved me,” I said in a cold tone. “I’m sure you can relate.”

Perhaps, I shouldn’t have told her that. But hell, the concerned mother role wasn’t convincing, considering all Matty had told me.

Madeleine pursed her lips and looked away, and for a moment, I thought she was going to ignore my remark.

“Point taken… I guess Matty did more than just have tea with you,” she said in a sad tone. “She never forgave me for my stupid mistakes, and I guess I deserve it. Some things can’t be taken back.”

Her words surprised me. Not the ones I was expecting from the woman who had told her son she wished she had aborted him.

“I don’t believe that… but yes, some are far harder to erase.”

She snorted. “Would you forgive me if I was your mother? You didn’t seem to have forgiven yours,” she called me out on my words.

“She never told me she regretted anything… not even when she was on her deathbed,” I replied, scowling.

“Would you have forgiven her if she had?” she insisted.

“I’m not sure… I guess it would depend on how sincere she was. But now, I’ll never know.”

“Jayden is not so forgiving…”

“You’ll never know if you don’t try. What do you have to lose?”

“Not much, I guess.”

We finished eating, and she even helped me clearing the table and setting the dishwasher.

“Well, this was certainly entertaining. I hope to see you again,” Madeleine said, as she picked her purse and headed to the door.

“Why not? You know where to find me,” I said with a teasing grin.

“Can I trust you not to tell my son what I told you?” she asked, as she waited for the elevator.

“It’s not my place. I’ll let you tell him,” I said in a firm tone.

She shook her head. “It’s too late…”

Before I could say anything, she was gone, and I was left staring at the elevator doors.