Page 113 of Six Month Wife
Because if what she's saying is true, then I let my father win. And that's almost as bad as if she's lying right now.
And if it's not, then I’m exactly what he thinks I am. Gullible. Weak.
I can’t let myself fall into her words. Not without oxygen.
“You could’ve mentioned it. Seems like something you would've known about for longer than a last-minute beach stroll.”
“We’ve been a little busy lately,” she says, tight. “Between our marriage scheme, actual work, your father moonlighting forPage Six—it slipped my mind.”
Her voice cracks, barely, but I hear it.
"I was in DC. Just flew in. When I landed and saw the articles, because they’re everywhere, in case you didn’t know, I wasn't exactly excited to check my inbox."
"Why were you in DC? You never said you were going there."
“Well,” I say as gently as possible, trying with every fiber of my being not to be an asshole. "You told me youwanted space. Kind of hard to justify a check-in after that.”
She goes quiet.
“I went because I wanted to talk to my dad in person. Try to make it right.”
Her brows rise. “And?”
“It went over like a lead balloon. I told Leeland very plainly that I’d go nuclear if he didn’t retract the story himself.”
One brow lifts, and she shakes her head slightly. “It’s a nice idea, but I doubt threats do much to move him.”
“Oh, he was moved,” I say, voice low. “You have no idea. But—” I step forward, meeting her eyes. “Adair, are you telling me the truth? Because if you’re not, saying all this now would be a hell of a choice. Just tell me. I’ll still have your back. I just... I need to know.”
She doesn’t blink. Doesn’t flinch.
“Yes, Parker. It’s the God-honest truth. Cam is my cousin. Milo—his twin—died last year.”
Something clicks.
“I remember you mentioned Milo,” I say. "When we met with Paul. I meant to ask you about him. I could tell you were fond of him."
She nods. “Yep. That was him. He was amazing. The kind of person who made everyone feel like they belonged. He supported me when no one else did. When I started the business, he was my biggest cheerleader.”
Her eyes gloss over.
“I miss him,” she says softly.
“I’m sorry,” I tell her. “That sucks.”
“It does. Cam came here to scatter his ashes. He wanted me there. It was perfect. Like a goodbye I didn’t realize I needed.”
I huff under my breath, dragging a hand through myhair. “God, the media twisted it into something so gross. It pisses me off.”
She shrugs, but her mouth is tight. “They got the clickbait that they wanted.”
“And I believed it.” I swallow the lump in my throat. “I let myself buy the bullshit. I’m sorry.”
“I went to war for you,” I say, finally. “I threatened my father.”
Her eyes shine, but she doesn’t cry. “I didn’t ask you to do that.”
“No. You didn’t.” I shake my head. “But I should have done more sooner. I had the ammo, but I wanted to believe he would respect my wishes.”
