Page 75 of Silent Ties

It’s a miracle my dad wasn’t at home when Elijah arrived. He’d double-booked himself and missed the shitshow. I doubt he’d be happy to know we were rolling around on his kitchen floor.

I’m ashamed of my behavior. But I don’t mean punching Elijah’s teeth in. I mean the fact that he and Roma held an intervention regarding my marriage.

The marriage I’m determined to fix.

CHAPTER 19

Russet

Max nonchalantly exits the main dining room with a to-go bag full of desserts.

He nods to tell me everything is all right, placing his hand on my lower back as we exit.

Pavel’s pulled the car to the curb. But when Sergei opens the door, Max hands him the bag. “We’re going to walk.”

Taking my hand, we wind in between pedestrians, escaping into a park. It’s peaceful as we stroll, the sun shining and the greenery lush.

He pulls me to a bench but doesn’t let go of my hand.

“You came to lunch,” I say.

“You’re never going to lunch with her again.”

A lump builds in my throat. Not because I’m saved from some horrid experience. But because I know he understands.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” he asks.

I lightly shake my head, but he squeezes my hand.

“I vowed to protect you.”

“That wasn’t in our marriage vows.”

He scowls. “Yes it was.”

I don’t press him. Shadows swirl on his face and I lightly smooth my finger over his brow.

“What was I going to say?” I ask quietly. She’s his mother.

“I would have believed you.”

I give him a look, my shoulders sagging.

“I would have,” he declares again but swallows. I’ve never seen an unsure side of him before. He glances at the ground and then back at me. “Tell me.”

I do, keeping it short and to the point.

“She what?” He squeezes my hand tighter. He doesn’t realize how much it hurts, until I try to take my hand back.

“Let’s leave it in the past.”

He hesitates at my forgiving attitude.

“She’s your mother,” I remind him.

As long as I don’t have to be around her it’s fine. And honestly, now that I know that he’s angry on my behalf, I feel better. It’s not all in my head. She really is a crazy bitch.

He settles back into the park bench, needing a few moments to process.

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