Page 102 of Twisted Bonds
Fifty-Four
Bain
Sitting at the dinner table, it's unusually quiet. I glance around at everyone, studying each of them to try and understand what the hell is going on. Cayley is eating in her room because she's working on a project with a classmate, and they are Facetiming while they work on it.
Typically, we talk about our day at the dinner table, but of course, there are things that Beau, Ryan, and I can't discuss here. I can feel an awkwardness in the room, though. I don't like it at all.
"Okay, out with it." I toss my napkin on the table as I look at each of them pointedly.
"What are you talking about?" Beau asks.
To be fair, he's the only one who looks like he isn't hiding anything. He's just forking his food and eating like he doesn't have a care in the world at the moment. "You're fine," I tell him. "But the rest of you are way too quiet, so what gives?"
I notice how Ryan, who is on my right side, subtly glances over at my father and Chloe, who happens to sit across from her. My father is to my left, with Chloe sitting on his left and directly across from Beau. He and my ex-wife keep their heads bowed as they continue to eat.
"Ryan," I ask softly as I place my hand over hers, "Is there something going on that I ought to know about?"
Her caramel eyes meet mine, and I can sense her hesitance about whatever she has on her mind. After a brief pause, she says, "I don't think it's my place to say."
I'm not sure how to respond to this, so I sit back and gaze at her as I contemplate. Something is bothering her, and I don't like it one bit. I pick up my glass of wine and take a sip, debating on how to handle this.
Ryan goes on to say, "It was such a beautiful morning when I went out to search for Chloe." She looks across to my ex-wife. "I was going to see if you wanted to ride to town with me, but you were out for your daily outing with Baxter, and I decided to leave you be."
I don't miss how Chloe's and my father's heads snapped to attention when hearing Ryan's explanation.Interesting.What surprised the two of them so much?
"Did you enjoy the morning as well?" I direct my question at Chloe since my father can't tell that my full attention is now on them.
"It was quite pleasant, actually," Chloe replies.
"The garden maze is so beautiful early in the day. I've never been in it that early before. The beauty of it in the morning was truly something to behold. No wonder you two enjoy it so much." Ryan's avoidance of Chloe's eyes as she says all this has the wheels turning in my head.
Whatever it is, my pretty girl is upset about it. I'm beginning to have my suspicions, and if I am to assume correctly, then Ryan is right. It's not her place to tell me, but she will make it, so Chloe comes clean about it. Unlike my father, I'm not blind. I've seen how close Chloe and my father are; I've seen it since day one. It appears as though it's now escalated into something more—maybe.
"Okay, out with it," I demand.
"Bain, I really don't think this is the time." Chloe looks across the table at our son, who now has all his attention on the scene before him.
"Why are you looking at me? I'm an adult; you don't have to hide shit from me, Mom." He smirks now, but I feel it's about to be wiped from his face.
Ryan takes my son's hand and moves closer, wanting to be there for him. I'm not hurt by it because that's precisely what I would do, too. I've been preparing for this, but I'd be lying if I said that my heart wasn't racing. I just need to hear them say it, to admit to it.
"Go on, Chloe, or does my father want to tell us what's happening?" I lift my brow at her.
"Bain, you don't understand…"
"Oh, I think I do, and do you know what else I think? I think it's time that everything comes out in the open."
My ex-wife sighs, her shoulders slumping as she does. "I never meant for it to be this way, Bain. I never thought I would get out of there. After so long, I just bent to his will—theirwill. As long as I went along with it, it would hurt less."
I swallow hard as guilt starts to creep in. I shouldn't have her rehash all this shit, but then again, maybe it's what she needs. God knows it's what we all need here.
"Chloe, you don't have to…" my father states beside her.
"Yes, Baxter—I do. It's time," she says, continuing, "My only solace was when I was allowed to visit with Baxter. He didn't know who I was, and I didn't want him to because I was ashamed. That didn't stop me from wanting to visit with him, though. Believe it or not, spending that time with him helped me keep up the hope that I would be found. Baxter was my home link.
"I knew he wasn't anything like his brother. Liam was despicable; I can't believe we never saw it in him before then. When he had me start being with Baxter, he found it funny that his brother betrayed his own son and wasn't even aware of it..."
Chloe doesn't go on to say too much more, and I'll admit that I'm glad for it, because I don't think I can handle hearing more at this exact time. I watch as her hand comes up to cover my father's hand, and she looks first at Beau and then at me.
