Page 57 of A Winter Redemption
“I said it was over, and I meant it,” Jarne said, trying to keep his temper in check. “You’ve wasted a journey. Turn around and go back to Bordertown. Now.”
Sasha smiled. A weaselly smile. “Jarne, you’re upset. I understand that, but—”
“So here is where my sons have been hiding!”
Jarne’s stomach dropped at the familiar voice.
Aryn jerked, face looking like he needed to vomit. Jarne had seen him look like that before. When Jarne had first barged into his life.
Their mother stepped into the doorway, dressed immaculately in a simple brown button-down riding dress. Her gaze swept the room. She sniffed as if finding the cosy cabin beneath her. She looked at Aryn and sneered. He shrank in on himself. Then her chilly gaze landed on Jarne.
“Jarne, you’ve been gone almost a month. It’s time to stop sulking and return home. Return to the family business.” Her lip curled. “It is not like you to abandon your duties and your family. I must say I’m disappointed. I expected more of you.”
Jarne tried to fight against the guilt that flooded his body. But this was his mother.
“Anyway, Sasha is very sorry and wishes to make amends,” she said with a wave of her hand.
Sasha smiled. “Yes. I’m very—”
His mother held up a hand, and Sasha stopped speaking and covered his mouth.
“You can’t let your petty squabbles get in the way of Greweth Perfumeries. Our family have worked for generations to build this. You will not destroy it.” His mother pressed her lips together. “So say your goodbyes and pack up your belongings. We’ll leave this place at once.” She turned to Aryn. “You too.”
Aryn jumped.
“It’s an embarrassment that you’ve exiled yourself up here, Aryn. You were already a disgrace before abandoning your family. And people ask questions.” She exhaled loudly. “I’m getting tired of lying to cover your ridiculous behaviour.”
Sero’s eyes burned with anger. He opened his mouth.
But Aryn stepped forward, directly meeting his mother’s hard gaze. “No!” he yelled, although his voice wavered and cracked.
His mother’s nose scrunched. “Did you say no to me?” she asked in clear disbelief.
“Yes. I mean…no. I said… I said no,” Aryn said, getting flustered. “I’m staying here.”
“Here?” She laughed. “Here? Stop being ridiculous, Aryn. Why would you want to stay here?” She gestured to the room, giving him a cold, mirthless smile. “Who would want to stay here?”
“Me. I do,” Aryn said. “I want to stay.” He puffed out his chest. “In Bordertown I had prestige, a family everyone knew. I had expensive apartments and a job at Greweth Perfumeries.” Aryn’s fists clenched at his sides. “I had no interest in my job, and we can both admit I was rubbish at it. And no one valued me or cared about me. Not you. Not father. None of you.”
Shame slithered down Jarne’s spine. Even if he’d changed in the past few weeks, the shame that he’d ever treated Aryn like his mother and Sasha made him sick.
What an arsehole he’d been.
Aryn wasn’t finished though.
“In Ores, I have a partner, people who care about me, afamilywho loves and values me not for what I can do for them but for me. And I have children,” Aryn said. “It’s recent, but they’re my children, and I love them.
“And you’ve written one letter to me since I left, and you didn’t ask one question about how I was doing or why I left.” Aryn’s voice rose as he spoke. “You just told me to come back and that I was an embarrassment to the family. You don’t care about me. You never did!”
Aryn reached behind him. Sero took his hand as if lending Aryn his strength.
“You ask why anyone would stay here,” Aryn said. “Well, it’s because I am loved here. I belong here. I have everything I could ever want here. The question isn’t why would I stay; it’s why would I ever return to Bordertown?”
Jarne felt like his chest would burst. He had never been so proud of anyone in his life.
His mother’s face didn’t move. Didn’t twitch. Just remained a blank mask as she stared at her youngest son. “What sentimental drivel,” she said. “Fine. Stay here in the middle of nowhere.” She turned to Jarne. “At least you’ve always understood duty. At least I could always count on you. Now get your things. We’re leaving.”
ChapterThirty-Four
