Page 85 of Threads That Bind Us

“We were just leaving. We’ll take Ms. Byrne with us,” Charlie says, laying the accent on thick as he placates the check-in staff.

I don’t know how she missed him before, but Isabelle’s suddenly assessing him like he’s a target, a prize.

“Jesus Christ, mother, come on,” I say, shooing her toward the exit.

Ana must peek her head around, because our mother lets out an exaggerated gasp.

“Oh, my baby Morgana,” she cries, pushing past me to wrap Ana in her arms.

I’m so shocked I barely have time to react, but before I can pull Isabelle off of her, Ana shakes her head, grimacing at me. Her hand is still in mine.

She’s telling me to leave it. Brave of her.

“Hi, mom,” she says quietly, and it pinches my heart a little.

Isabelle barely knows her. Doesn’t know that she doesn’t like being called Morgana. Doesn’t know about her surgeries and scars.

“Mom, she’s got some skin irritation. Please be careful,” Ichide, and she whips around to look at me, dropping her daughter.

“Well, how would I even know that? I have no information! I had to hear from someoneother than youthat my baby girl was sick,” Isabelle scoffs.

“I haven’t had a working phone number for you for years,” I shoot back, trying to keep my tone neutral. “How exactly would you have expected me to contact you?”

“You didn’t even try,” my mother accuses

“Why don’t we take this outside so we don’t bother the other patients, yes?” Charlie suggests, and I look around to see plenty of eyes on us.

Isabelle agrees easily, putting her arm around Ana, cooing things likepoor babyandmy daughter.

When we get outside, the sticky heat nearly unbearable, Ana shrugs off Isabelle’s arm and finds her way to Charlie’s side. Through the anger rising under my skin, there’s some little part of me that’s so fucking happy I picked someone she could trust.

“I apologize that I didn’t make more of an effort to contact you, but you really didn’t provide a lot of options. I’ve had the same phone number since I was thirteen. You could have called any time.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Ana grab on to Charlie’s arm. Fuck, this was supposed to be a great day for her.

“Maybe we should let your sister and mom talk,” Charlie offers, and I know he’s already halfway to calling Zane to whisk Ana away. But Isabelle cuts in before any of us can move.

“I’m not letting you leave with my baby,” Isabelle cries, accusation lacing her tone.

“She’s sixteen, mom. And Charlie is my husband. She’s safe with him.” I’m trying to keep myself controlled and careful, but I can already feel the range slipping in.

“Oh yes, I’ve heard about yourhusband,” she sneers, glancing at my brand new ring and turning to look at Ana. “See, she tells you I’m a terrible mom, but look at her.”

My heart stills in my chest, my rage bordering on wrath now.

“What exactly is that supposed to mean?” I demand from Isabelle. I can feel Charlie’s presence right behind me.

“You’re a hypocrite,” she accuses, honest to god tears welling in her eyes. “You judge me for dating a few guys, trying to build a life for you two, when you’ve done so much worse.”

She knows. I have no ideahowshe knows, but she does. My anger is laced with panic now, because I can see this crash ahead of us, and I have no way to stop it.

“What’s she talking about, Ginny?” Ana asks, her voice small and almost afraid.

“We can talk about it later,” Charlie mutters at her, but Isabelle’s not having it.

I have no idea what she gets out of this, ruining this for Ana and me, but she’s sure committed to the bit.

“When did your sister tell you she was seeing Charlie?” she asks, her eyes glaring at her youngest daughter.