Page 96 of Misrule
His father’s voice reminded him he wasn’t alone. “Yeah, Dad?”
“Care to share the joke?”
“Private matter between Roxanne and I.”
“I understand.” He fell silent, then heaved a breath. “At least tell me she’s signing a prenup?”
“Of course she is, Dad.”
“She’s already agreed?”
The relief in his father’s voice got to Knox. He didn’t want his parents to worry that he’d allow any woman, even Roxanne, to swoop in and bankrupt the Harringtons. He nodded. “Of course.”
Smiling, his father clapped him on the back. “Good, good. You’re not my boy for nothing.”
Swallowing, Knox decided he needed to secure Roxanne’s agreement, and signature, soon, so they could move past this pesky detail and focus solely on their wedding plans.
And, of course, outsmarting Mortician.
Chapter Twenty-Four
BPD – Borderline Personality Disorder, characterized by an inability to maintain personal relationships, uncontrollable anger, fear of abandonment, impulsiveness, and poor self-image, among other things.
Usually, it was ignored for more common diagnoses, such as major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, eating disorders, PTSD, and bipolar disorder.ANDBPD usually co-existed with one of the other mental illnesses. As was the case for Kendall, who, according to Dr. Briscow, suffered not only BPD, but depression and anxiety, too. When she’d left Johnnie for those six months before Rory’s birth, her then-psychiatrist said she was borderline schizophrenic. He’d never once mentioned BPD, but it made so much sense now.
Kendall had had so many different diagnoses, she didn’t know which one was accurate, and so latched on to any new one in an effort to help herself when she became too extreme. Yes, she hated the medicine. And, yes, it changed her. But Johnnie and her children were more important to her. This time, she’d really try to follow her recovery plan. She’d intended to explain all of that to Johnnie, last night, but he hadn’t wanted to hear. He hadn’t been interested. She’d wanted to tell him about her new form of therapy, DBT, or dialectical behavior therapy. There was even a course for family members to take to better be able to cope with their loved ones’ BPD.
Another fact Johnnie hadn’t allowed her to explain.
Yesterday, when he’d left her, he’d ripped her heart out and torn her to pieces. Somehow, she’d spent most of the day working with Charlotte on plans for the law offices. But true contentment escaped Kendall. The unease she’d felt all day didn’t make sense. Or, maybe, it did. When Johnnie walked out, her entire world tilted.
Swallowing, Kendall hesitated as she stepped onto the pathway that started just beyond the club grounds and led to their homes. The house she’d shared with Johnnie stood at the very end of the path, right near the cave and stream that served as a beautiful backdrop.
Had she truly lost her home and her family?
No! No! She wouldn’t still be on the wedding committee if she had. As long as she was a part of Roxy and Bailey’s ceremony, she had a fighting chance to win Johnnie’s love again.
She turned back toward the clubhouse, uncertainty and fear coursing through her. Maybe she shouldn’t have come to the dinner tonight. It was meant for family. Absolutely no one saw her as such. Especially not her beloved Johnnie.
A harsh draft of air hit her and she burrowed into her Moncler flower-padded jacket. Her black Brooks Brothers Shearling fur gloves kept her hands warm. But nothing,absolutely nothing, warmed the chill inside of her.
Darkness had set in, but lights along the pathway penetrated the eerie blackness created by the trees surrounding her.
She took a step toward the clubhouse, then stopped. Meggie had invited her. And Roxy would be there. Kendall was sure they’d discuss more of the ceremony…if Roxy hadn’t decided she’d walked away from Knox since the apple didn’t fall far from the tree. Didn’t Roxy see how alike Knox and his mother were?
Scowling, Kendall turned again, this time back in the direction of the houses. If no one else wanted her there, Meggie and Roxy did. Still, when she reached the gate to Meggie’s house, she hesitated.
The last thing she’d ever expected was fear of rejection from anyone at the club. Her family. Her friends.
Meggie had invited her, Kendall reminded herself for the thousandth time. Besides, she could go in and not make herself immediately known. She could listen…maybe overhear…something, anything. Anticipation to see her…disgust that she had been invited…Meggie confessing she’d only invited Kendall out of politeness.
Clearing her throat, Kendall punched in the code, and smiled when she heard the buzz, click and release that allowed her entry. Her journey to the front door felt a little unnerving. All the times she’d walked this same path with Johnnie and their children haunted her.
Despite her worry about how tonight would go, she still scowled at the moat surrounding the house, as if it sat on a little island of its own. Just one more precaution Outlaw had put in place to keep Meggie safe.
At the front door, she stopped again. Pulled off her gloves, hating her uncertainty. She was afraid of her reception, not unlike the feeling she got whenever she’d come across Emily in school…Fuck Emily! That wicked bitch was a closed chapter in her life.
She had more pressing concerns. Such as… If the other guys saw Johnnie giving her the cold shoulder, would they follow suit, too?
