Page 141 of The Perfect Mistake

Nate comes in to join us.

“Ignore him,” he says. “I’ve been trying to do that for years.”

I put a hand on Willa’s head. “It’s hard when he’s disparaging people that I… care about.”

Nate nods. “I know. Look, you shouldn’t have to work while you’re here, too. I can show the kids the creepy doll collection Mom used to have. Take a few minutes.”

I smile at him. “Thanks. I’ll just use the restroom real quick.”

The kids rush away with Nate, and I’m left alone in the dark wood-paneled den with my thoughts and silence. I push the puzzle to the side and rise. I could use a glass of water, too. It might help the headache that’s starting to throb in my temples.

That’s when I hear the voices coming from beyond the closed door. It must lead to the study… because I can distinctly hear David.

“So you’re sleeping with the nanny,” he says. “Congratulations, you’re a cliché. That’s fine. Just don’t let it get to your head like it did out there.”

I lay my ear flat against the door.

“You will not be rude to her,” Alec says. His deep voice is angry, so angry, it seeps through the tight control he usually maintains. “And you’re not going to talk ill about Connie in front of her niece and nephew.”

“Christ, listen to yourself,” David says. “This is still my house, and you’re all still my children.”

There’s a tense pause. “We’re all grown up. You could try treating us as such.”

“I’ve always treated you as an adult.”

“Yes,” Alec says. There’s a dryness in his tone. “You have, haven’t you? Try extending that privilege to both Nate and Connie.”

“Who are you to lecture me on fatherhood? Your children are still young,” David says. “Connie gets a Thompson for a husband, you start sleeping with a gold digger. It’s like both of you have lost your minds.”

I inhale sharply.

“What did you just say?” Alec’s voice is venomous.

“Look, she’s what, twenty? Think, son. She’s working as a nanny, and she has you as her employer. Surrounded by everything your money can provide and knowing your wife’s no longer living. You’re an easy target. You don’t think I met similar women after your mother died? I know what it’s like. But think with your head, not your dick,” his dad says. “She is pretty, but not wife material. Not like your mother was, and not like Victoria was.”

I push away from the door. My heart is pounding, and I can’t think, can’t hear another word. There’s no way I can handle hearing Alec agreeing… And I won’t be in yet another place where I’m not wanted.

I’m done spending years fighting to be the one who’s chosen.

Alec

“Not like your mother was, and not like Victoria was,” Dad says.

I haven’t felt anger like this for a long time. It closely resembles how I felt after Isabel was mugged, but it’s different, because this time, I can see the culprit.

And he’s right in front of me.

“Take my advice,” he continues, “and don’t let your guard down.”

I run my hand along my jaw. “And what, exactly, has following that advice given you?”

His eyes narrow. “What?”

“You’ve been alone since Mom died. She was wonderful. I remember her, too. I was thirteen when she passed. But that was almost thirty years ago. So, I ask you again. What have you gotten, by keeping your guard up?”

Dad crosses his arms over his chest. “I raised three children by myself, and I made Contron one of the biggest companies in the country. That’s what I got. No distractions and no entanglements. Or would you rather I’d remarried; got myself a trophy wife, and you ended up with three new siblings to split the ownership of Contron with, huh? Because that’s what you’re going to give my grandchildren out there if you’re not careful.” He shakes his head. “I can’t believe I’m having the safe sex talk with you, at forty-one. Happy birthday, by the way.”

“You got nothing,” I hiss. “That’s the real answer. You had the memory of Mom, and you devoted yourself to the company and handed us off to nannies. That’s the example you set… And it has left you on your own. Alone, except for Lauren, but you can’t even make something real there, either, can you?”

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