19. Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Nineteen
Iwalk hand in hand with Leo, his small fingers curling tightly around mine as we stroll back from the park.
He happily licks his ice cream, pointing at random objects by the street as we head back to the apartment building.
I was too busy with work to throw Leo a birthday party today, so I moved it forward a little, right after the Summit is over. I did take him out after work and treated him to his favorite goodies, and with how happy he was about it, the guilt of not throwing him a party subsided.
Leo and I share a birthday, but I barely take mine into consideration. In my eyes, every twelfth of November is Leo and Leo’s day only. His happiness is my happiness.
It was Jasmine’s idea to go for an ice cream date at the park. Just the three of us, Leo, Jasmine, and me. And it turned out to be fun.
Jasmine trails behind me, fiddling with her phone and tossing occasional comments about my slow pace.
“Come on, Hailey,” she teases. “At this rate, Leo’s bedtime will come before we get home.”
I roll my eyes, suppressing a grin. I’m not sure why she’s in such haste. “Patience isn’t your strong suit, is it?”
I’m not hurrying to get home because I’m a little nervous about seeing Matthew.
Evelyn was nice enough to give me half the day off today to celebrate my birthday. Matthew and I haven’t spoken at all today. He wasn’t around in the first few hours I spent at the office, before picking Leo up from school.
It’s been two days since I agreed to be together, and it’s been two beautiful, blissful days. I thought it’d be weird, but strangely enough, it’s far from it. It seems natural, like we’ve been a couple far longer than we realized.
For now, we’re keeping it a secret from Jasmine. I don’t know what her reaction will be when she finds out I’m head over heels for her brother, but I’m not eager to know. I just want to be selfish for a while and have him all to myself.
Leo giggles, swinging our joined hands as we finally approach our building. For a moment, I glance at Matthew’s door, wondering if he’s inside. Does he know it’s my birthday today? Why hasn’t he even sent me a text yet?
“We’re here now,” I tell Jasmine as I type in my passcode. I throw a sarcastic smile her way. “Happy?”
Jasmine grins, her smile weirdly suspicious. “Very.”
I push the door open and step inside, only to be met with an eruption of voices shouting, “Surprise!”
My eyes widen like a deer in the headlights as the living room comes into view, decked out with colorful streamers, balloons, and a giant banner reading “Happy birthday Hailey and Leo!” The room is filled with familiar faces―friendly neighbors, all my beautiful work besties―Heather, Lennox, Matteo, and Allison―and a handful of Leo’s preschool friends―all grinning at us.
In the center of it all, Matthew stands, dressed casually in sweats, a smile on his handsome face.
“Oh my god,” I breath, my free hand flying to my mouth. Leo’s jaw drops as he takes in the sight, his eyes widening when he sees his friends, his excitement bubbling over in the form of a high-pitched squeal.
“Is this for us?” he asks, looking up at me with wide, sparkling eyes.
“It sure is,” Matthew says, stepping forward with a warm smile. “Happy birthday, you two.”
I turn to Jasmine, who’s still lingering behind us at the door, with a camera raised toward us with a thumbs up.
I feel a lump rise in my throat, my heart swelling as I glance around the room. Here I was, thinking Matthew had no idea of what today meant to me. Just to realize he’d been planning this all along.
I feel so many things right now. Among other things, I desperately want to jump into his arms and kiss him senseless. But I can’t do that because we’re not alone.
So, I force myself to stay still, wiping the tears that form at the corners of my eyes when Allison and co trap me in a group hug. I meet Matthew’s eyes over Allison’s shoulder and mutter a “Thank you,” hoping he feels just how deeply I appreciate him at this very moment.
He falls into his element quickly, moving effortlessly between guests with an easy smile, making sure everyone has a drink or a plate of my favorite snacks. I stand by the cake, conversing with a neighbor as I watch Leo giggle and chase a balloon around with two other kids.
My chest tightens―not with sadness this time, but with complete gratitude.
The doorbell rings and I head toward the door with a grin, glancing at Matthew. “Did you invite anyone else?”
He shakes his head, frowning slightly as I open the door. My stomach drops immediately.
There, standing in the hallway with wide, toothy grins that I can’t tell are real or fake, are my parents and twin siblings, toting bottles of champagnes and gift bags that are suspiciously small for a child’s birthday party.
“Surprise!” Mom trills, stepping past me before I can speak, without waiting for any invitation whatsoever. “We thought we’d stop by and surprise you for your birthday. Who knew we’d meet a party already?”
I grind my teeth, frozen in place as they file in. Dad pats Matthew on the back immediately he sees him. “Hope you don’t mind us crashing. We brought the good stuff,” he says, holding up a bottle of aged whiskey like a peace offering.
Jasmine erects herself next to me with a glare that is fixated on my family. “What’s going on?”
“I don’t know,” I sigh, shutting the door before dragging my fingers across my temples. “I don’t even know how they got here. I never gave them the address.”
Matthew leans in, a deep furrow in his brows as he watches my siblings barrel to the dining room, their voices loud and obnoxious as they plop bottles onto the kitchen counter.
“Do you want me to tell them to leave?”
“No,” I murmur. “It’ll make a scene. Let’s just get through with this.”
“I’ll be over here while you handle them,” Jasmine says, gesturing to the living room. “Don’t hesitate to call me if you need help kicking them out.”
I manage to smile as she leaves. Ella and John quickly make themselves comfortable, downing the drinks they brought like it’s a college frat party. My temper rises as the weight of judgmental stares of my parents falls on me.
I snatch the beer cans from my siblings and empty them into the sink. “What the hell do you two think you’re doing? For crying out loud, there are kids here. If you’re that thirsty, grab a fucking soda.”
“Hey, no need to be rude,” Ella scowls, opening the fridge. “We’re here for you.”
“It’s not that bad of a place you’ve got by the way,” John comments, looking round. “I thought you’d be living in a dump somewhere downtown.”
“Shut up, John. Mom says we have to be nice.”
I roll my eyes. “And how did you know where I live?”
Ella smirks, cracking a can of soda open. “Ask mom and dad.”
The mention of my parents has me turning around to look for them. I find them in a corner, huddled around Matthew who sticks out like a sore thumb, clearly uncomfortable.
Mom’s voice becomes clearer as I approach them. “We’ve been talking, and we think it’s time you two set a wedding date,” she says, patting Matthew’s arm like it’s already decided.
“A summer wedding would be perfect,” Dad adds, his tone leaving no room for argument. “We’ve reached out to the Bellucci Vineyard upstate. They’re holding the date for you.”
Mom turns to Dad. “We’re thinking of something intimate and rich. Not more than…let’s say, eight hundred guests? Eight hundred guests can work.”
Matthew chuckles like he can’t believe what he’s hearing. I can’t either. It feels like I’m watching a reality TV show.
“You’ve planned our wedding?” he asks, his voice carefully neutral.
“Of course,” Mom replies with a bright smile.
“Look, what happened at the golf club the other day was simply a misunderstanding. We’re here because we’ve realized our mistakes, and we want to show you just how much we care about Hailey.
You’re part of the family now, Matthew. And our daughter clearly needs help getting things in order. ”
A mask of irritation covers Matthew’s face, his jaw tightening, but before he can respond, I wedge my way between them.
My patience barely hangs by a thread as I glare at my parents. “Can we talk?”
“Sure,” Mom says, flicking a hand. “Right after we―”
“Now.” I growl, my voice icy as I lead them outside the living room to the hallway.
I slam the door shut behind me. “What the hell do you two think you’re doing?”
My father’s smile slips off his face, his true mask showing its presence.
“Hailey,” Mom says, her tone placating, “we’re just trying to help. You clearly have enough on your plate, and we thought―”
“No, you didn’t,” I snap, sick and tired of their bullshit. “How dare you barge in here uninvited, ruin my son’s party, and start making decisions about my life without even asking me?”
Dad frowns at me, disapproval in his eyes. Before, I’d give a shit, but right now, I don’t.
“Don’t speak to your mother like that,” he scolds. “You should be happy that we’re trying to make things easier for you. You’re always so defensive.”
“Because you don’t respect me!” I explode, my voice shaking in ager. “You don’t see me as capable of handling my own life, my son, or my relationships. You never have. You swoop in here and try to take control, and I’m sick of it.”
Mom’s lips press into a thin line. “Honey, I think you’re overreacting―”
I laugh in disbelief. “Oh, now I’m overreacting? For the first time in my life, I have the guts to call you both out on your bullshit and I’m overreacting? Do you even care about me at all? Does what I do matter to you? Have you ever stopped to think about my feelings? To think about what I want?”
Dad scowls. “Don’t be ridiculous, Hailey. You’re lucky we took you back. Do you have any idea of what your reckless actions caused the family? Are you aware of the stain you left on our name?”
“I’m not lucky,” I shake my head. “I’m far from lucky you took me back.
My life wasn’t the best before you guys came in again, but I definitely had one problem off my hands.
The only reason I tried to reconnect was because of my son.
The same son you don’t give a shit about.
Do you know how badly he wanted to meet you both?
But you don’t care about that, do you? You barely even know his name. ”
“Liam,” Mom says. “I know his name.”
I scoff, trying so hard not to hit my head against the wall from frustration.
Dad takes a step forward, glaring at me. “I’m not going to stand here and listen to you disrespect your mother and me. You can call when you’re not being whiny and sensitive.”
“I won’t,” I say. “I’ll never do that anymore.”
His eye twitches in irritation. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me, Dad. I won’t be calling you or Mom or anyone else in that godforsaken family. Not today. Not tomorrow. Not ever.”
Mom glances at Dad with uncertainty. “Sweetheart―”
“Don’t call me that,” I warn. “You have no right to call me that. I’m not stupid.
The only reason you took me back was because of Matthew.
In your eyes, I’ve been nothing more than a bargaining chip.
And when I brought Matthew home, you were pleased.
Not because you were happy for me, but because you had hit the jackpot.
What’s better than being in-laws with a Pierce? Isn’t that right?
“You never cared for Leo or me, and not even becoming in-laws with Matthew’s family will change that.
I’m done being your puppet, Dad. I’m done letting you both control my life.
I’m done being silent. All I ever asked for was a little love and care, and I’m not sure why I was hopeful I’d get that from you when you never showed it to me while I lived under your roof.
I’d rather stay where I’m loved, which is far far away from all of you.
Last time, you kicked me out, but today, I’m kicking you out.
I have my own family now. So, I don’t need any of you anymore. Goodbye.”
I don’t wait for them to respond. I turn around and walk back in, heading straight for the kitchen where my siblings are downing shots of Soda.
“You two―out. Now!” I demand, my voice bringing the attention of guests to the kitchen. “And don’t even think of stepping foot here again. Get out.”
Ella raises her hands in mock surrender, but my glare sends them stumbling out the door. John hesitates, his gaze straying to Matthew behind.
“Can I at least get his number―”
I slam the door in their faces before he can finish. I’m met with curious stares when I turn around, and I instantly want the ground to open and swallow me up.
Jasmine walks to me. “You okay?”
“No,” I murmur, one second away from bursting into tears. “I think I need a minute.”
Jasmine squeezes my shoulder and nods, silently signaling to Matthew to take care of the situation.
Just when it started to look like the best day of my life, my own family sabotaged it yet again. But this will be the last of it. The last of them.