Page 135 of Through You
He hugs me anyway, and I grimace.
“Stop it with the uptight act,” he says quietly into my ear.
“You and Claudia, huh? Finally. It took you long enough.”
Apolo can’t keep anything to himself. He already told Ares about me being with Claudia. I just hope he didn’t spill about the baby because I will definitely kill him—right before Claudia kills me.
“Ares and Artemis, we need you both to come to the study for a moment.” My father’s voice reminds me of the worried expression I noticed when I first walked into the house. Ares seems as confused as I am.
My dad turns around and walks down the hallway. Apolo smiles at me before he turns and follows him. Claudia knits her eyebrows, looking at me. And I shrug, because I have no idea what’s going on, and make my way down the hall.
I close the study door behind us. My confusion grows when I see our mother sitting on the couch. Her eyes are puffy and red, but there’s no trace of tears, as if she hadn’t shed them at all. Apolo and my dad sit next to her. Ares and I share a glance before we take a seat on the couch that’s across from theirs.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, looking at the faces of my family and searching for an answer.
“We’re taking advantage of Ares’s visit and decided to gather you all here to hear what we have to share,” our father begins.
“We were thinking of doing this last night when he arrived, but Artemis spent the night in the hospital, so . . . well, your mother and I have decided to separate.”
What?
“We’ve already started divorce proceedings.” My mother speaks up. “I’m moving out of the house after the Fourth of July and into the vacation home I bought some time ago, the one next to Apolo’s favorite river.” She smiles at him, and Apolo looks devastated. Ares has his hands in his lap, and they’re clenched into fists so tight his knuckles have turned white.
A painful ache catches me by surprise. I thought I would feel relief. This is what we always wanted—for them to separate because they had hurt each other so much. But now that it’s actually happening, I feel my chest burn, and I can see the pain in my brothers’ expressions. Regardless of all the mistakes they’ve made, they’re still our parents, always together. I suppose we, their children, secretly hoped they’d work their problems out and find a way to keep our family together. Our parents are waiting for one of us to say something. When we don’t, our mother tightly purses her lips, and manages to recover her strength.
“I know I’ve made too many mistakes and caused you all a lot of harm by being selfish. I have no excuse and don’t expect you to understand. I just want you to know that I have loved you and will always love you. And that the doors of my house will always be open to you. That”—her voice breaks—“you will always will be my children, and I will always be your mother.”
Ares snorts, though he seems to be on the verge of tears.
“Now she wants to be our mother?”
Apolo lowers his gaze, tears running down his cheeks and falling from his chin.
“Ares . . .” I try to soothe him.
“No.” He shakes his head. “After all the shit you’ve put us through over the years, now you’ve finally come to this realization.” I sense the pain in his tone. He’s doing what he always does, hiding behind coarse, cruel words. Our mother’s eyes fill with more tears.
“Don’t cry,” Ares orders her. “You have no right to cry, you don’t—” His voice chokes with the emotions he’s trying hard to suppress. “What the fuck took you so long? If you had figured this out before, if . . .”
“We can’t live in theifs, Ares,” I say, making him turn his attention to me. “Mistakes were made and people were hurt—all that already happened. We can’t change the past.”
My voice sounds colder than I expected. I suppose this is what I do. I hide behind cold composure. A sad smile forms on my lips as I realize Ares and I are more alike than I thought.
“It’s okay, Artemis,” Mom says as she wipes away her tears.
“He has every right to vent to his feelings. Ares, son, you may insult me, say whatever you want to me—I deserve it.”
Ares says nothing and covers his face with both hands.
My father speaks again. “You can visit her whenever you want, and she can come over to see you whenever she likes. Even though we’re parting ways, your mother and I hope to remain amicable.”
“We understand,” I respond on behalf of my brothers.
“I’m glad you’re handling this situation in a levelheaded and nonantagonistic manner.”
My mom stands up. “I need to start packing my things.” My chest tightens but I try my best to give her a smile. “I am truly sorry, my children. I hope one day you’ll find it in your hearts to forgive me.”
She walks out of the study, leaving us still and silent.
