Page 40 of Mine to Love
“We both know that, which is why we’re bringing this up with the doc. She tries to be brave and act like she’s not scared over it, but this isn’t normal morning sickness. We’ve talked to every woman in this family who has had a baby and they all agree that this is something more. Maybe that kind of morning sickness that needs special attention.”
Miles could see the worry etched in his brother’s furrowed brow. “You’re doing all the right things. You’ll get a handle on this and Rumor and the baby are going to be just fine.”
Just then, Rumor appeared at the table with a tear rolling down her cheek. “Emmerson,” she said softly. “I’m spotting. I think we need to go to the hospital.”
Miles was on his feet just as fast as Emmerson.
“I’ll be right behind you,” Miles said.
“That’s not necessary.” Emmerson looped his arm around his wife.
“Necessary or not, it’s not up for discussion.” Miles never knew a time in his life where he couldn’t count on his brothers to be there for him and he wasn’t about to let his brother sit ina hospital while he paced the walls worrying about his wife and child.
9
Liberty sat at the kitchen table and stared at her little brother, wondering what the hell was going on in that brain of his. He could process information, although sometimes it got jumbled through emotions he couldn’t handle. He could learn certain tasks, which he’d proven tenfold working with Miles. Gabriel thrived in that environment.
But the one thing Gabriel couldn’t do was deal with the harsh realities of the world, deep-seated wounds, and the emotions they stirred.
And she just dumped a world of hurt on the man.
“Gabriel,” she whispered. “Are you okay?”
He rocked back and forth, picking at his thumb. “Yes,” he said.
“That’s all you have to say about what I just told you about Charlie?”
“It’s the opposite of what he says.” Gabriel rocked faster. He rubbed his hands on his shorts. His gaze shifted around the room but never landed on her. At least he hadn’t bolted. After one fight she’d had with him, he took off. He’d been missing for an entire night. That had been the worst day of her life.
Maybe even worse than losing her baby.
Gabriel was her world. He grounded her in ways no one could understand.
“I told you the truth,” she said.
“Is it possible that you’re wrong?”
“No, Gabriel. I’m sorry. But I’m not wrong.” Using a word like gaslighting might not be appropriate, but that’s what Charlie had done to both of them. “When I first found out Charlie had been with another woman, I wanted to believe it wouldn’t happen again. I desperately wanted our marriage to work. It was for all the wrong reasons because I didn’t love him, but I did want to trust him, for both our sakes. However, Charlie kept lying to me and I turned a blind eye to it.”
“Not about that. I believe you when you say Charlie wasn’t faithful.” Gabriel nodded. “I’m talking about the baby.”
She took Gabriel’s hands. “I didn’t fall down the stairs. Charlie pushed me. I just couldn’t bring myself to tell anyone the truth. I wanted to grieve, and then I wanted to get out. The whole thing was just so…” She wiped her tears away. “I’m sorry.”
Gabriel jerked his hands away and abruptly stood. He stomped his feet and clenched his fists. “I can’t believe that. Charlie was heartbroken. I watched him cry over that baby and you pushed him away. You wouldn’t even let him hold her.”
“That’s not true,” Liberty said with her heart in her toes. “You were there at the hospital with me. You never left my side and Charlie never once came. I didn’t tell him he couldn’t.”
“That’s not what he says. Nor his parents. Are they lying too? Why would they do that?”
“They wanted to control me and they did that through you. Making you believe I was to blame was one way to keep me there. But I was so miserable. Charlie wasn’t good to me and I couldn’t stay a second longer. Not after what he did.”
“Sometimes you can be so selfish,” Gabriel said. “I’m going to go work on the golf cart. Miles said I can do that whenever I want. He gave me the code to his garage.”
Before she could say a single word, Gabriel was marching his grown ass out the door and across the yards.
Fucking wonderful.
But the truth was out. That was something. Gabriel would come to accept it soon enough.
