Chapter 28
Chapter Twenty-Eight
ALICE
“Did your mom say why your dad wanted us to come over for dinner?”
Declan adjusts his tie, making sure it’s perfectly in place.
“I don’t know. She didn’t say. Only that we had to join them for dinner and that they knew your schedule and knew you didn’t have a game.”
I clasp the pearl necklace and give myself another look in the mirror.
The black shift dress hits right below my knees, paired with sensible heels. My hair is curled. I don’t look anything like I usually do.
Messy bun with overalls and white tennis shoes. That’s where I’m most comfortable. Not going to a stuffy dinner with my parents.
“You know it’s going to be okay, right?”
Declan wraps his arms around me, resting his chin on my shoulder, staring at me in the mirror. It helps to calm my nerves.
“Why can’t my parents be more like your parents?”
He laughs, breath ghosting my cheek. “We all aren’t that lucky.”
“At least they like me.”
“Oh, they love you probably more than they love me.”
“At least someone’s parents love me.” I sigh.
“I’m sure they love you. Deep, deep, deep down,” Declan says.
“Might as well get it over with.”
I press a kiss to his lips, and we head out of his—our—room and leave for dinner.
Declan offers to drive, but I decline. I need to focus on the drive through the city to keep my nerves at bay. I wish the thought of a meal with my parents didn’t stir up these feelings, but it does.
Declan’s hand stays firmly on my leg the entire way over. His thumb rubs soothing circles against my knee.
Pulling into the gated community, he gives me a squeeze. “We’ll be in, eat, and then leave. No lingering, okay?”
I smile at him as the iron gates swing open. “Still too long.”
The house looms ahead as I park the car in the circular drive. Flipping down the visor, I check one last time to make sure my makeup is pristine. I don’t need to give these two any ammunition to criticize me.
“You look great,” Declan says, smiling at me. “Just relax, Froggie. I’m with you.”
That sets me at ease. “Thanks.”
“You and I can make it through anything together.”
I blow out a breath. “All right, let’s get this over with.”
Getting out of the car, we link hands and walk up to the front door and I ring the bell. Their butler opens the door and welcomes us in.
“Good evening, Ms. Alice. Mr. Paddack.”
“Hello.” I give him a small nod.
“Your parents are in the study.”
“Thank you.” I swallow down the nerves that are threatening to take over. I walk the well-known path to where they’re waiting. Before pushing the door open, Declan gives me another reassuring look.
“Alice. Declan. How are you?” Mom asks, standing from the couch.
“I’m fine,” I say. It’s a rote answer and not how I’m actually doing. It’s not like I would ever tell her I’m nervous as hell to be here. Her coming to the shop the other day and now this? It all feels a little too much.
“Mr. Burke. It’s nice to see you.” Declan drops my hand to walk over and shake Dad’s.
“The Black Diamonds are looking good this year,” he tells him.
“Well, we have a good team,” he agrees, stuffing his hands in his pockets. “It's been fun getting to play for them.”
“Hopefully another trade isn’t in your future.”
“Dad,” I scoff. “Don’t say that.”
He eyes me, like he can’t believe I spoke to him like that.
“He’s a professional athlete, Alice. It can happen at any time.”
“Hopefully it won’t,” Declan says.
“I think he’s proven himself to the team,” I defend.
“And all it would take is one injury to end your career. I hope you’re investing wisely,” Dad tells him.
I shake my head. Of course this is my dad’s biggest concern.
“Can I get a glass of wine while we wait for dinner?” I ask.
Dad shakes his head. “Dinner is already ready.”
“It is?” I ask.
The hair on my arms stands on end. If there’s one thing I know about my parents, it’s that there is always time for a cocktail. How else would they look down their noses on people? Namely, me.
“Yes. We have some things to discuss with you.” Dad gives me a pointed look before glancing at Declan. “With both of you.”
My parents both head into the dining room together. It seems my feet are glued to the hardwood floors.
“You okay?” Declan whispers.
“Not even close.”
“I’m here.”
I try to give him a reassuring look, but based on the pinch between his brows, I don’t convey it.
Walking into the dining room, plates are already set up. Mom takes her seat next to Dad, who sits at the head of the table. We take the two seats opposite Mom.
Mashed potatoes and peas. Chicken. Nothing overly fancy, but I’m going to have to feign interest in eating because I don’t think I can swallow down anything.
“Are you going to tell us why you had us join you tonight?” I ask.
Taking the napkin and laying it across my lap, I grab my fork and push my peas around.
“Where are your manners, Alice?” Mom snaps. “You don’t start conversations like that. Have we taught you nothing?”
They clearly have because I don’t roll my eyes at them.
“You said you had something you wanted to discuss with us, and I can’t help wondering what that might be.”
Dad shakes his head. “We’ll finish dinner first and then have a conversation.”
I squeeze the fork in my hand tighter, the metal digging into my palm.
Anger and nerves are mixing together inside of me. I have no idea what my dad is playing at right now, but it’s doing nothing to help.
Declan makes polite conversation with my dad as I cut into the chicken sitting on my plate. I pop a few bites, but it all feels like cement going down.
I push peas around on my plate and attempt to make it look like I'm actually eating.
“Alice, is there a reason you’re not eating your dinner?” Mom asks, giving me a questioning look.
“I’m not all that hungry,” I say.
“Alice, if you’re going to act like this, we might as well just get this conversation over with.” Dad wipes his mouth and throws his napkin down on the table.
I want to fire back at him. How am I acting? You’re the one that’s being weird about what conversation we’re supposedly having.
“Can you tell me what it is we need to discuss? You’re the one that told us to come over tonight.”
I fold my hands in my lap and turn to give my father my full attention.
Instead of diving into it, he walks into the study and comes back with a manila folder in his hand.
“Care to explain this?”
He slide the thick envelope over to me and I undo the clasp. Pulling out the papers, my jaw drops in shock.
“What is this?”
“Proof that your marriage is a sham.”
“What?” Declan leans over my shoulder to look at the stack of papers.
“Do you really think we wouldn’t do our due diligence?” Dad asks. I hate that my eyes match his at this very moment.
They are full of disappointment. It’s not the first time I’ve seen him look at me like this, but it stings, nonetheless.
“Where did you get these?”
A copy of our marriage certificate. Pictures from our social media—Declan with another woman, me with another man. Pictures from my dating profile that I had set up earlier this year.
“You were set to inherit a large sum of money, Alice. Imagine my surprise when you show up and happen to be married. It was questionable at best. You would be coming into your trust under false pretenses.”
“What do you mean false pretenses? We got married.”
Dad scoffs. “In Vegas. When you were drunk, based on the photos.”
Of course he has pictures from when we were there. Sure, we were drinking, but we don’t look trashed in any of the photos.
“Is this even a real relationship?” Dad asks. “Are you even in love? Were you even dating?”
Ice slides down my throat, settling in my stomach. I can’t believe what I’m looking at. My eyes flit up to stare at my parents. At the two people who are supposed to love me unconditionally.
It’s like I don’t even know them.
“Is this really how much you hate me? That you’re willing to void my trust to try and keep me under your thumb?”
Mom bristles at the comment. “We certainly don’t hate you, Alice.”
“You might not, but you don’t love me or care. And I’m not sure which is worse.” I sigh.
“We can—”
“No.” I interrupt Declan. “The fact that you what, did all of this so I’d go and work for Dad?”
“Alice, we’ve put up with your childish dreams long enough. Working in a flower shop? It’s not what Burkes do. It’s not a suitable position.”
“It’s what this Burke wants to do.”
“You won’t do it with your grandfather’s money,” Dad states.
“Unbelievable.” I shake my head.
“Doesn’t it really matter what Alice wants to do?” Declan asks.
“Declan, no. Stop.”
“No. Why do they get to dictate what you do?”
“What if one of our friends saw her?” Mom looks appalled, like this is the worst thing that could happen.
Dad nods in agreement. “Our name carries a lot of weight in this city. I don’t want people thinking less of us because of you.”
“Because I have a good job that lets me save and pay the bills?”
“You can’t possibly be saving that much money,” Mom says.
“You don’t have any idea how much I make because you’ve never bothered to take an interest in what I do.”
“You’re an associate at a flower shop.”
“One that I’m hoping to buy,” I fire back at her.
“What?” I don’t think I’ve ever seen my Dad’s face turn so red. “Is that what you were going to use the trust for?”
Disdain drips from his voice.
“Yes,” I answer. “It’s what I’ve always wanted to do.”
“It’s not what Burkes do.”
“I don’t care. I don’t want to work for you.” I push all the papers back toward him.
“Then if you can save money, you’ll be buying it yourself. I’ve already sent this to the estate lawyers, and you will not be getting one cent of your trust.”
“You two are unbelievable. Treating your only daughter like this? I’m not stealing your money. I’m doing what I’m passionate about. What I’ve always wanted to do.”
“Alice, work for your father,” Mom says. “You’ll make more money than you could ever dream of.”
“And be miserable.”
“Happiness is overrated,” she says.
“Not for me.”
Throwing my napkin down on my plate, I watch as a few peas roll off onto the neatly pressed table cloth. I don’t care. I don’t care that I shouldn’t leave the table until I’m excused. I’m tired of trying to fit in the perfect little image that these two have of me. I tell them as much.
“You know what? I’m done. I’m done trying to be the perfect daughter and live up to some imaginary standard of what you think I need to be. You can have the money. If it means I have to be someone I’m not, I don’t want it. I don’t want to be a part of this family anymore.”
“Alice. You will not talk to us like that,” Dad snaps.
I stand while Declan is still sitting, completely stunned at everything I’m saying.
“It’s a good thing I don’t care then.” I hold out my hand for Declan. “C’mon. Let’s go.”
“That’s it? You’re leaving?” Mom asks, her own reaction matching Declan’s.
“Yes.” I look at both of them. “You've made it perfectly clear that unless I bend to your every whim, I don’t have a place here in this family. I’m leaving.
Declan and I are leaving. I’m done. Until you two decide that what I do is valuable and meaningful to me, then I don’t think we have anything to say to one another. ”
“Alice!” Mom shrieks as I leave the dining room, Declan hot on my heels. “You can’t just walk out like that.”
“Oh, yeah? Watch me.”