Page 57 of This Heart
My sister drew in a sharp breath behind me as all the air in my lungs was expelled. “What did you say?” I whispered.
“We were having drinks one night after he got off work, and he told me about how you tried to take Hope’s place. It’s rather pathetic, if you ask me. You’re trying so hard to be a part of their life, Aurora. It’s giving…desperate.”
Lou took a step forward. “Oh, shut up! You’re like what, forty? Stop talking like you’re young.”
“Lou,” I warned. “Just be quiet.”
“Winnie, darling?” Kim said as she bent down. “Don’t you want to go get your ice cream now?”
Winnie poked her head out from behind me. “Can Rora come too?”
Kim looked at me. “Aunty A…rora is busy. Come along.”
Taking Kim’s outstretched hand, Winnie started to walk out with Kim. I did everything I could to keep myself from running and grabbing Winnie from Kim and then knocking the shit out of her for saying what she said to me. But then the reality of what she said hit me.
Liam had told her about what Hope said. How could he do such a thing?
Before she left, Kim turned and shot me the most evil smile I had ever seen. “Just for the record, Liam and I have rekindled our old relationship, and it was glorious. I don’t think we’ll be needing you much anymore…Aunty Rora.”
She slipped out the door with Winnie as I stood frozen in place. My entire body trembled.
“Are you really going to let her take Winnie?” Lou asked.
“What am I supposed to do? She’s her nanny,” I replied, turning on my heel and trying not to cry as I quickly made my way to my office.
Liam
I knew Aurora was there the second I stepped into Timeless Coffee Shop. I wasn’t sure how I knew, but I could sense her. I glanced around and found her sitting at a table in the corner, drinking a coffee and reading a book. I hadn’t seen or spoken to her in a few days. She hadn’t taken my calls or responded to my texts. I had planned to stop by the bookstore after I got some coffee.
Smiling, I approached to see if I could join her. It was a rare day I didn’t have Winnie with me since she was with Jake and Opal today.
“Hey there, stranger! Day off today?” I asked, slipping into the seat opposite her. When she looked up, it felt like someone had gut-punched me. She had obviously been crying. Her eyes were red and puffy, with bags under them. For an instant, fear gripped at my heart. Was something wrong with Aurora, and she didn’t want to tell me?
“What’s wrong, Aurora?”
She closed her book and glanced around the coffee shop before focusing on me. “I’d rather be alone.”
Surprised, I drew back some. “Is everything okay?”
When she picked her book up again and started reading, I slowly shook my head. “Aurora, please tell me what has you so upset?”
She looked at me from over the book. When she spoke, her voice cracked. “How could you tell her?”
Confused, I asked, “Tell who what?”
She slammed the book shut. “I should have known you meant it. People don’t say things without some truth behind their words, even if they are drunk.”
I leaned in and lowered my voice. “If this is about me talking to Kim about what she did with the picture, I’m working on that problem.”
Her eyes went wide. “This has nothing to do with Hope’s picture!”
“What in the hell are you talking about, then?”
A look of hurt passed over Aurora’s face, and I had never in my life felt the wave of anger that passed through me. Who in the hell did this to her?
A tear slipped free, and she quickly swept it away. “Kim stopped by the bookstore yesterday.”
Confused, I asked, “That doesn’t make what you’re saying any clearer, Aurora.”
