Page 33 of Various Intentions

“Well, not by blood…but by circumstance?” He glanced at Matteo, who nodded.

Zarah’s face indicated understanding. “Oh. I see.”

“Welcome to the family,” Taylor said, expressing what Vincent and I had not.

Taylor’s maturity shocked us out of our reticence.

“Yes, welcome, Zarah. It’s very nice to…meet you,” I managed.

Vincent smiled and said, “Yes. We didn’t know Matteo had a daughter.” He shot an accusing glance Matteo’s way, and Zarah flushed.

“Zarah, I’m so sorry,” Matteo said. “I…it was just easier to pretend—”

“I know, Dad. It’s not your fault.”

“It’s not your fault, either,” Matteo said with conviction.

Zarah rolled her eyes and sighed. “Yes, it is. I’m the one that married a horrible”—her breath caught in her throat—“horribleperson.”

She started to cry, and Matteo sat her on the sofa, gathering her head to his chest, letting her sob into his shoulder and shooting a helpless glance my way.

“Vincent, let’s go make a pot of tea,” I said, taking his sleeve in my fingers and pulling him out of the room. Taylor followed us to the kitchen.

I got the teapot down without a word and took the kettle to the sink, filling it silently as I tried to catch up to everything that had happened. Vincent got the teacups and the sugar and milk.

“I mean, what Matteo said makes sense—that he was pretending she didn’t exist because he wasn’t allowed to see her,” Taylor continued.

I nodded. “It makes perfect sense.”

“But you’re still mad.”

“Taylor, I’m not mad. I’m just…fucking stunned, and I honestly do feel a bit betrayed.”

“Which is understandable,” Vincent said, glancing my way. “Me, too.”

“But you heard what they said. It sounds like her husband is an abusive, controlling freakshow.”

“Yes.”

I stared at the floor, thinking, my brain spinning.

“What?” Vincent asked.

“Not to be alarmist, but it’s usually when a person decides to leave the relationship that an already-abusive partner becomes violent.”

Vincent and Taylor exchanged a glance.

“I’ll find out where she’s staying. I can’t offer her a room here.” I glanced at Taylor. “We’re kind of full.”

“I mean, I can go stay with Riley…”

“No,” I said, giving him a look that said I meant business. “I’m sure Zarah is in a safe situation for the moment, otherwise Matteo would have said something.”

Matteo poked his head into the kitchen. He was wearing his coat.

“Nic, Vincent, I’m taking Zarah for coffee. There’s a lot that we need to talk about.” He smiled apologetically.

“I’m sure,” I said, returning his smile. “Of course.”