Page 113 of Score on You

“My gentle giant,” I muse.

“How did you meet him?”

“Through a mutual friend.” Not that my boyfriend would willingly claim the bubbly blonde as such.

Mother takes another sip of her tea. “Harper?”

I smile at her impressive memory. “Yes. She’s been vital to my… revival.”

“Is that what we’re calling this?” She motions to the luxury furnishings Ridge included in the rental.

My attention drifts to the fireplace. Framed photos from the past months sit on the mantel. “It feels that way. Like I’ve been given the gift of a second chance. You’re on the road to recovery too.”

Mother winces. “That makes me sound like a victim.”

“You are, Mama. Were,” I amend. “But control is yours now. You can choose how to move forward.”

“I’m not sure I can believe that. Not yet at least.”

“Give it time. You’ve just arrived.”

She allows a lull to enter our conversation as her attention wanders. “You called him your future husband.”

Heat stings my face. “I didn’t mean for you to hear that.”

Mother raises her brows. “It shames you?”

“Not at all. It’s more of a… joke between us.” Except that explanation turns my stomach. I let my heart speak for me. “He’s become my favorite person. We’re very attached to each other.”

“You love him?” She signals to the wall our houses share.

My gaze follows her motion, as if I can see him on the other side. “I love Ridge very much.”

Approval twitches her lips. “It’s the same for him.”

Flutters erupt in my belly like this is new information. “How do you know?”

“He wears his devotion for you like a badge of honor.”

“You think so?”

She nods. “It’s a relief to see you’re doing well. I’ve been extremely concerned without a way of contacting you.”

The ominous edge in her statement prickles my skin. “What happened after I left?”

A faraway look enters her eyes, as if she’s in a different house entirely. “Your father has a mistress.”

I balk at her abrupt reveal. Although, on second thought, it’s not surprising. Affairs are quite common in that narrow-minded society. Many men in Billmoore believe it’s suitable to have multiple wives.

“Once you left, our marriage changed. Your father stopped speaking to me. The blame for your… betrayal was placed on my shoulders. That was expected, as we discussed before you fled. But I wasn’t prepared for his anger. He began treating me like a servant. If I dared to mention the shift in his behavior, I’d be punished. How foolish of me to assume he’d forgive my deception. Most recently, he threatened to replace me. I would have preferred that option.” She gingerly touches her bruised cheek. “Even though he has someone new, he wouldn’t release me. I don’t believe he’ll ever let me go.”

A bitter taste fills my mouth. Father could be cruel, but he always had a sense of justice. It seems my absence stole his humanity.

“He’s a monster,” I murmur.

Mother agrees with a dip of her chin. “I’m worried he’ll find me.”

I place my palm over hers, offering a reassuring squeeze. “Ridge will protect us.”

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