Page 204 of Lovers' Dance: Vol. 2

“I decided it would be best for us all to get away,” Portia explained. “I did consider a family trip abroad, but you know what Grumps is like.”

Matt pinched his nose bridge while taking another calming breath. “I’m sure it’ll be lovely.” He gave his dad a pointed look.

William jerked to attention and placed a gentle hand on his wife’s back, slowly ushering her forward. “Matthew wants a private word, sweetheart. Why don’t you check on Dad for me? See what the old codger is getting up to before dinner.”

“Is it about work?” Portia fumed with maternal concern. “Really, William. Can’t you ease up on him? And don’t you dare yell at him like you did with Adam last night on the phone. I overheard you and I am not pleased with the way you micro-manage the boys. This retirement of yours is nothing more than a farce.”

“Darling,” William interrupted her when Matt made a strangled sound of exasperation. “We won’t be long. I promise you’ll have all of dinner to monopolize his time. Give us a few minutes, ok?”

“Humph.” She snorted, her chin lifted haughtily. “Fine. I will beexpecting you in the salon for pre-dinner drinks in twenty minutes, not a second more.”

“Mum, please,” Matt called wearily.

Portia’s features softened as she observed him. Then she stepped away from William’s touch on her back to hug Matt tightly. “My poor darling. What am I to do with you? Hmm?”

Matt managed a small grin, slightly perturbed by her sudden physical show of affection. “What am I to do withyou?” he teased in an effort to lighten the worry he saw on her face. “Unscheduled hugs? Have you written me out of the will and now feel some form of parental guilt?”

“Oh behave,” Portia laughed, but took a moment to stroke his cheek before moving away. Arching an eyebrow at her husband, she left her reminder, “Twenty minutes then no more business.”

She swept out the room, leaving the lingering trace of her perfume on the air and the sharp slam of the door ringing in their ears.

Matt said nothing for a few seconds, and his dad didn’t immediately press for answers. The seconds turned to minutes and still the words wouldn’t come.

“What is it, Matty?” His father finally asked, worry made his tone rushed and harsh. “You can tell me anything. You know that.”

“I found out from my solicitor that Madi’s pregnant. She’s carrying another man’s child and I bloody despise her, Dad.” Matt blurted out angrily. “I need you to tell me what to do because right now I just want to wring her fucking neck. You’re my father and I need you to help me, man to man, because I want nothing more than to see her suffer for this.”

William let out a heavy sigh. “Son, your mother and I didn’t raise you to resolve your problems when you’re in the throes of anger, it’s beneath people like us. Now I don’t know exactly what went on between yourself and Madison,” He shrugged his shoulders. “Your brother was vague with his brief explanation. But I do know whatever you’re feeling right now will pass. Trust me.”

Matt ground his teeth together, completely unsatisfied with his father’s response to his most painful confession. How could he possibly be certain what Matt was going through would pass? He had come to his father instead of unburdening himself to Adam, in the hope that the older Bradley would no doubt be wiser. Adam didn’t understand marriage, but their father would. He needed advice.

“It’s her best friend. Bloody Dante Palmer.” Matt spat out. “I can’t even get my head around that. She never wanted children with me.” Matt clenched his fists in an effort not to punch the wall. “Said it would ruin her career. But she’s more than willing to have a child withhim? She’s a fucking racist. She didn’t wantmybaby, but she’ll havehis. It’s what she’s always wanted deep down: the perfect black family with her beautiful black baby. And it’ll be beautiful. Palmer’s not a bad looking chap, and Madi, well, she’s…beautiful. Her baby will be perfect and I bloody despise her. Was the thought of it so distasteful to her? Having a child with me? We’re not even divorced and she’s already moved on. How can she do this to me? I know I’m not a saint but Christ Almighty, I don’t deserve this. Do you think I deserve this? Is this some divine form of payback for my previous behaviour? If so, it’s not bloody fair. You’ve done much worse than I could ever do and nothing this bad has happened to you. Tell me what to do, because I want to fucking kill her.”

“Firstly, you need to calm down,” William put the tumbler he’d been holding down on the nearest surface.

“Dad, she’s my wife and I,” Matt stopped speaking. He was past angry. How could she do this? Knowing he had wanted a child with her and cruelly denying him the chance only to let bloody Palmer impregnate her! She was a selfish, racist bitch.

“You love her, I know,” William said with sympathy. “I know you do. I knew it from the first moment I saw you two together, and although your mother won’t admit, she did also.”

Matt’s face twisted as a self-deprecating laugh fell from his lips. “It’s not done me any good now, has it?”

His father was silent for a moment. Then he said quietly, “Your mother left me once.”

Matt’s mouth parted in shock and his father nodded slowly.

“Oh yes, of course we told everyone in our social circles she was visiting extended family, but truthfully,” He chuckled sadly. “I had no idea where she was. Hannah was only about a month old, and she took her.

“Mum left you?” Matt was incredulous. His mother was such a stickler for appearances. The thought of her running away from his father, with a new baby no less, was mind-boggling.

“It was my fault,” William hastened to say. “Don’t blame your mother. It was all my fault. I,” He cleared his throat. “Well, I was lessthan faithful at a time when she needed me the most…pregnancy didn’t agree with your mother. She’s always had a ghastly time of it. I thought after Hannah she would never have another,” William sent him a paternal smile. “But she went on to have my two boys, Adam and you. Quite brave of her, if I do say so myself.”

“You were unfaithful while she was pregnant?” Matt scowled at his father.

“I’m not proud of what I’ve done,” he replied tartly.

“And you continued being unfaithful,” Matt shook his head in disgust. “This isn’t helping, Dad.”

“She came back,” William explained. “Dad, your Grumps, completely lost his rag and hired this man to hunt her down. Do you remember the house in Burgundy? In Cote d’Or? It was quite old and had that working well which fascinated you children.”

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