Chapter Twenty-Two The Backroom Betrayal #2
The fact I can’t deny is that I know Mom’s been stressed.
I know the flower shop is struggling. Switching to an online shop is a smart idea.
And being closer to Nani and Nana will make things easier for Mom.
If she does nothing, then her flower shop could go under, and she’d lose everything she worked so hard for.
I exhale, uncrossing my arms. “So where will you live? With Nani and Nana? It would take me two hours to get to OCAD from their place.”
She shakes her head. “It wouldn’t be that bad. There’s a train into the city. Or…” She hesitates.
“Or what?”
Mom shrugs. “We’ll figure something out, Sana.
Something that works for both of us. You won’t have to live with your father, but we don’t need to think about it now.
The festival is only a few days away. I didn’t want to burden you with all this yet.
And tonight you have a date with Miles, don’t you? You need to enjoy that.”
I shake my head. “Miles has been keeping this from me too,” I say. I tell Mom what the developer said about Miles interning with them.
Mom frowns. “He didn’t tell you that he took a job with them?”
“No. I knew he was looking for an internship, but I didn’t know he was applying at developers . The man said Dad referred him. Miles definitely didn’t tell me that.”
“How does your father even know Miles?”
I shrug. “I assume through Sarina.” I remember Dad mentioning that Miles was supposed to join them for dinner once.
I knew I shouldn’t have attempted to set him up with my stepsister.
“This seems like the kind of thing a guy should tell his girlfriend, don’t you think? He’s conspiring with the enemy.”
“I agree he should have told you, but Sana, these people aren’t the enemy. Neither is your father. Miles wants what’s best for the city and the people who live here.”
That’s what I thought . I think back to that streetcar ride.
I can’t believe the person who talked passionately about all the things he loves about Toronto worked with developers to tear down my street.
I don’t understand why he didn’t tell me.
Why be secretive? Because he knew I wouldn’t be happy about him working there?
Or… he didn’t see the need to really let a naive, idealistic romantic into the serious parts of his life.
“You warned me,” I say. “You said he was like Dad.”
Mom exhales but doesn’t say anything. I don’t think she wanted to be right about that.
“He lied to me, Mom,” I add. Withholding important information is lying. Mom knows firsthand what it’s like to be lied to by someone you love.
“This relationship is serious for you, isn’t it?” Mom asks.
I let out a shaky breath. “It was .” I wipe my eyes. “You were right, though. I ignored all the red flags. I feel so stupid… I should know what I’m doing. I mean, I read enough romance novels to have a PhD in romance, right? And yet here’s another relationship failure for me.”
Mom smiles sadly. “Real life isn’t like the books, Sana.
Relationships are hard and messy and complicated.
I don’t know what’s going to happen with you and Miles, but I do know that each of you should feel like you can share all the parts of yourself with the other.
If you feel the need to hold something back…
to hide part of who you are to keep your partner happy, then it’s not sustainable.
It’s not worth it… Being single is preferable.
” She chuckles. “Look at me, trying to give parental advice. What do I know about anything?”
I shake my head. “No, this is good advice, Mom. Thanks.” I finally lock eyes with her and give her a tearful smile. “It almost makes me forgive you,” I joke.
Mom huffs a small laugh.
I wonder how much of themselves my parents hid from each other.
It also makes me think of what Miles told me weeks ago—that love changes people, and not for the better.
Dad changed after he got with Noureen. He’s no longer the type to spend an aimless day at a festival with his daughter.
And Cara even changed the way she dressed for Hannah.
Relationships are messy and complicated. They are more than just meet-cutes and swoony moments. And Miles was right. It does hurt so much when things go wrong.
Are relationships worth it?
“We should talk like this more often,” I say.
Mom nods. “Yeah, we should. Sometimes I forget that you’re all grown-up. I’m sorry I didn’t talk to you before accepting that offer.”
I’m not sure I fully forgive her, but I understand. “We’re still a team, right?”
She nods. I notice that Mom’s eyes are a little glassy too. “Two peas in a pod.”
“Do you want me to come look at that property with you tonight?” I ask. Maybe it would help me understand this decision better.
She shakes her head. “No, I’ll manage.” She gets up. “But I should be going. The meeting is in a few hours. I need to finish some centerpieces first.”
“Okay. Good luck tonight. Love you, Mom.”
She nods, then leans down to kiss me on the forehead. “Love you too, sunshine.”