Page 7 of Handsome
He then rolled down the partition, told his driver to go, and closed it once we were underway.
Now we were alone again, he sat back and gazed at me as he said, “My family is home tonight, so we won’t be alone.”
Even if we were, it was clear I was the help. Joshua had fallen asleep, so I asked, “Is that a problem?”
He laughed. “Just a warning. The Norouzi clan is quite large.”
A family that called themselves a clan sounded nice. I’d never really fit in anywhere before.
My new goal was to ensure Joshua fit in. Cyrus seemed sincere, although my stay was temporary and clearly labeled. I shrugged and said, “That’s nice. I’m officially all alone with no one left.”
His gaze narrowed. “You have Joshua and me.”
He held his arms open for his son. I swallowed and gently placed the sleeping baby in his arms again as the limo stopped, and I said, “Yeah, right, but thank you for your good intentions. Let’s go in.”
I didn’t wait for the driver, instead letting myself out. Then I looked up at the giant mansion that must have a view of the ocean in the daylight.
The brightest lights right now were the stars and inside the mansion, but I smelled the salt in the air as around us were grass and all kinds of plants.
He directed us toward the door as he held Joshua and said, “Tomorrow, will you answer questions about your sister?”
I stopped at the rounded double doors and kept my head down. I didn’t belong in a mansion, and my story would prove that. I rocked and said, “Sure. I don’t have to keep her secrets any longer. Leah was brilliant enough to get into medical school. She was almost a million dollars in debt, but her life was hers to direct. She wanted to have a baby. She met you. She figured she could do what our mom did when she had Elijah.”
He paused beside me and asked, “What was that?”
If I’d ever mentioned any of this before tonight, I’d have betrayed the few principles I had. I swallowed when realized the secret would only hurt Joshua if I didn’t manage cement him in his father’s love, forever. I met Cyrus's gaze and said, “Have a baby with a rich man and then sell him time with the baby so she would have an income stream.”
Neither of us moved as he whispered, “That’s cold.”
“It’s reality.” I said and braced myself. If he told me to get lost, I’d understand.
He reached for the door and said, “Be prepared for everyone to assume you’re grieving when we go in.”
I trembled but nodded. I was here to ensure that Joshua was loved and provided for. Cyrus was a temporary side trip in my life, and it was best if I accepted whatever crumbs I could until I was sure Joshua had everything he could ever want or need.
3
Cyrus
The last person I expected to see walking in with Joshua was the cyclist.
Now she was home with me, though, I wondered if I finally had the break I wanted. For weeks I’d agonized over my son, and now he was home and safe.
Sarah was probably grieving, and my brother Elon was probably in shock since he spoke highly of Leah professionally.
So I held my tongue when I finally got to have my son in my arms.
I hadn't pegged Leah as someone who drove drunk, but honestly, I hadn’t known her for more than one night. Earlier tonight, when she dismissed me with a giggle, I’d known there was a man in her apartment. I’d been jealous because someone else was with my son.
And now I wanted to know everything because it affected Sarah.
She stirred me with desire and the urge to help her at the same time.
I walked her into the foyer, still carrying my son, and my parents immediately joined us, like they’d were perched near the living area, waiting for us to come inside.
I held out my son, and they saw he was sleeping, but then I rested my hand on Sarah’s shoulder and said, “Maman, Pedar, this is Sarah.”
My mother opened her arms and hugged her as she said, “We’re so sorry.”
