Chapter 41 #2
“Daxton has a housekeeper starting tomorrow, and I’ll have a full-time nurse.
No need for you to cook for us, but you’re so sweet for volunteering.
I love you so much, Cori.” I close my eyes.
Daxton didn’t tell me about the housekeeper.
I’m sure it’s something he worked out with my father before we got married.
I’m relieved that Mom will have help, and all I will need to do is visit.
“That’s wonderful,” is all I say. “And I love you, too.”
“I’m just happy that I don’t have to worry about you and Daxton anymore, but I do worry about Devin. You’re his big sister, so I need you to look out for him and help with—”
“Mom, that’s the one thing I can’t give you.
Devin is a grown man, and Ruby is his child.
I’m focusing on my wedding dress business.
” I clear my throat before I tell her a lie.
“I’m also reapplying to design school. If I get in, I’ll be commuting to the city.
My time will be focused on school, work, and my husband.
” I don’t choke when I say the last part. It doesn’t sound so bad.
The phone goes quiet, and despite hating to disappoint her, Devin is a non-negotiable for me.
“Cori—” she begins. I can hear the disappointment in her voice; however, I meant it when I said that marrying Dax would be the last sacrifice I would make in the name of family. “I think it’s great that you’re going to school, but Ruby needs us.”
I close my eyes shut tight. My urge is to snap at her. She’s recovering from major surgery and does not need the stress, but I won’t capitulate. Not this time.
“Then you and Daddy should be there for her. She’s your only grandchild. If you want to help Devin, that’s your right, but it won’t be me.”
“But honey, I’m not in the position to do it. I won’t be for a while. Your father is the mayor and is so busy. You’re—”
“I’m busy, too, Mom. I have a business. I’m going back to school.
” I’d rather set myself on fire than say this next part, but I do it only because it’s something my mother will understand.
“And I have a husband. I’m not cleaning up Devin’s mess.
Do you want me to pass up on design school for a third time? ”
The phone goes quiet, and I hear a sniffle.
“That’s not what I’m saying. I want you to go. What I don’t understand is why you don’t want a relationship with your niece?” I can’t tell if she’s hurt or offended. “Just a relationship. That’s it.”
“Under different circumstances, I would.” It’s true.
Ruby is a beautiful little girl, and if things were different, I would take on the role of auntie.
I’d make her pretty clothes, buy her toys, and spoil her.
If I open that door, it will be another way for Devin to shirk his responsibility, and I won’t enable him.
“What do you mean, Cori?” Mom suddenly sounds tired. I don’t know if it’s real fatigue or if that’s the voice she’s using to get me to do what she wants.
“I mean that Devin will use it as an opportunity to leave Ruby with me, and you and Daddy will cosign on it. I’ll have all the responsibility, and he will have none, just like when it was time for us to go to college.
I had to stay and help the family, and he got to go.
Like that.” My tone is sharp by the end.
I won’t apologize or take back my words.
“I’m sorry, but—” Not wanting to hear this again, I cut her off.
“Dax is here. I have to go.”
“Don’t hang up on me, Corine.” Mom never calls me that, and her tone is a combination of sharp and hurt. “I didn’t realize you were so hurt by that.”
“Why didn’t you? Why didn’t you think I would be bothered by how differently you and Daddy treated us?”
There’s a long, tense silence, followed by a sniffle. I’m not sure if she’s crying or congested.
“I didn’t think about it at the time. I was in a bad place, Cori, and I needed help. I needed someone, and you were the one I felt more comfortable with. I’m sorry, baby.” I hear a sniffle, and my heart breaks. Shame overtakes me, and I close my eyes.
“I have to go.” I end the call and rest my head on my desk.
The last thing I want is for my mother to feel guilty about the accident. She didn’t ask for that. I’m the one who should have made different choices.
After stretching, I leave the room in search of food.
That’s when I note that it’s almost seven o’clock and neither my husband nor that beast he calls a pet is home. I rummage through the fridge for food and find the leftover chicken I made last night.
He comes in after I put it in the oven to heat. He doesn’t speak, but he wraps his arms around me and gives me a kiss that’s hot enough to set the entire house on fire.
He pulls away and stares into my eyes. I don’t hold the stare long. After planting my hands on his chest, I look and move away from him, but he wraps his hand around my wrist and pulls me back.
“What is it?” He holds me close and rests his chin on top of my head. “Tell me, and I’ll fix it.”
“It’s nothing.” I try to push him away, but he doesn’t budge, and a stubborn tear falls down my cheek. He grasps my chin. “I spoke with my mom, and she seems happy and optimistic, and I guess it made me emotional.” When he doesn’t speak, I say, “You can let me go.”
“I’m never letting you go.” The words are simply stated, but I know he means them. Deep down, I know Daxton will thwart my plans to get away from him.
Are you sure you want to?
“How was your day?” He finally drops his hands, and I take a step away from him, relieved to get a reprieve. “And where have you been?” He left early this morning and has only just returned.
“Just finalizing some things with a client.” My ears perk up at that. I assume he’s talking about his illegal business. He sighs and runs a hand over his head. “But that’s nothing for you to worry about.” He opens the oven, peeks inside and turns it off. “Let me take you out to a nice dinner.”
“I don’t want to go out. My back hurts from sitting in the sewing room for too many hours, and I want to relax.”
“Okay, then. I’ll order something, and we can eat in the living room.
Afterward, we’ll take a bath and go to bed.
I’ll give you a massage and lull you to sleep.
” He pulls me back into his arms and kisses my temple.
“I promised to take care of you.” He cups my face and looks into my eyes.
“I know no one has taken care of you in a long time. Will you let me do it?” Soft lips land on my forehead.
“Remember when I told you I’d be a good husband? I meant it.”
He lifts me bridal style and carries me to the living room. After he lays me on the couch, he sits on the opposite end and pulls my legs onto his lap. He rubs one foot while he looks through his phone.
“What do you have a taste for?”
“Korean barbecue.” The words come out without thinking. It’s my favorite type of food.
“Okay. I’ll order a bunch of stuff and go pick it up.” He lifts my foot and kisses the top of it.
Eden’s warning from earlier comes to mind, but I push them away.
There’s no way I can fall in love with a man who trapped me into a marriage I don’t want.
He manipulated a situation to his advantage, and I will never forgive him for it.
I’ll work this to my advantage. I’ll take everything I want, and then I’ll walk away from him on my terms, leaving him a devastated, heartbroken mess.