Page 65 of Beauty Of Her

I paused for a moment, my heart sinking at Zoe's question. This wasn’t the time to lie, and I had always made it a point to keep an honest and open line of communication between my daughters and me, especially after the divorce. "There have been some...complications," I began, glancing at each of their concerned faces. "Brett and I might be having a rough patch right now."

“It’s a very small patch, though. So, no one needs to worry,” said Amelia, downing her glass of water, probably wishing it was wine. “Very small patch.”

I rolled my eyes and bit my inner cheek. “I don’t want anyone to worry, though. No matter what happens, we’re going to be okay.”

“I don’t understand, though. What happened?” asked Zoe, pushing her plate away. “As of yesterday morning, things were great.”

I wasn’t sure if Zoe meant things were great between me and Brett or if things were great here in this house. “Well, as you know, I met his parents last night.” I cleared my throat, shifting in my seat. “And it didn’t go that well.”

“Ugh, I’m sorry, Mom,” said Sara, taking my hand in her smaller one.

I smiled gratefully at Sara and squeezed her hand. “Thanks, sweetheart. It’s okay, though, really. We're just figuring things out." I glanced at Zoe and Amelia, who were waiting for more details. "His mother...let's just say she didn't approve of me." I struggled to keep the bitterness out of my voice.

“She can go to hell, then,” spat Zoe.

My eyes shot to her while Amelia snickered in the background. “Let’s just relax. Again, this is just a weird time for Brett and me. But again, everything is going to be fine.”

“We’ll see,” mumbled Zoe.

The room fell silent, and I was sure everyone had lost their appetite. The seconds passing felt like minutes, and soon, those minutes felt like hours.

“Well, if no one wants to eat anymore, would anyone like to help me clear the dishes?” Amelia suggested, putting on an extra perky tone.

Sara was the first to help Amelia clear the table, while Zoe kept me company. I didn’t expect Zoe to scoot closer and put her head on my shoulder next.

“I’m sorry his mom was such a bitch to you.”

I half-laughed and fought back a tear. My hand cradled Zoe’s face, and I rocked our bodies slowly. “It’s not just that, Zoe. It’s a lot of things you won’t understand now, but maybe when you’re older.” I kissed her head. “I love you.”

She buried her face in my side how she used to do when she was five and shy in a new situation. The nostalgia tugged at my heart, and I finally let a tear cascade down my face until it dripped onto the table. I quickly wiped the moisture from my cheek before anyone caught my crumbling emotions.

Zoe pulled away, her green eyes wide in concern. "Mom, is everything going to be okay?" Her voice trembled.

"Yes, sweetheart. Everything will be fine," I said with a smile, trying to reassure her. But I couldn't help but feel the weight of everything bearing down on me.

I glanced at Zoe, who was watching me with concern and curiosity. I knew I had to be honest, but she was only twelve. I couldn't break her heart by telling her everything about my complicated relationship with Brett.

Instead, I took a deep breath and decided to shield her from the reality that was forming outside the kitchen. "Zoe, sometimes things don't go as planned, and that's okay. We'll find our way through it, just like always." I suddenly realized Sara wasn’t anywhere in the room, and I couldn’t remember where she went. My heart lurched when I failed to pinpoint her location, and my eyes darted wildly around the room.

“Sara went upstairs to shower. She told you that was her plan during dinner, but you were too busy thinking about Brett,” added Zoe with a sad smile.

And my heart broke. I had to do what was best for my girls, and that wasn’t being wrapped up and torn apart by someone else. “Oh, okay. Sorry about that. Again, just a lot going on, but we’re going to be fine.”

Zoe met my gaze with a twitch of her lips and silently went upstairs. When I heard Zoe’s room door slam and Sara’s shower, triggering pipes thumping behind the walls, I collapsed on the couch with Amelia.

She pressed her head against my shoulder, gazing up at me. “Talk to me, babe.”

“I can’t believe he saw Libby,” I said, admitting defeat with the knowing silence. I lifted my eyes to the clock. It was 10:30 PM, but I was wide awake and miserable. “The girls are probably asleep.” I shifted on the couch, away from Amelia, trying to get comfortable, but it was hopeless, just like everything else. “You’re probably exhausted. You don’t have to hang out with me.”

“Oh, stop. I’m not going to leave you like this.” Amelia draped an arm around my limp body. “And you don’t know if who he was with today was Libby.”

“He didn’t speak to me today. I texted Brett this morning asking what I should make the girls for dinner, but he never answered. He’s never done that before. If anything, he has acted obsessed with me since I let him call me his girlfriend. And today into tonight, nothing.” I shook my head. How could I slip and fall like this? I should be stronger. Then again, I guess this was that shitty part of being human with a heart. "I just... I can't help but worry," I confessed, my voice barely a whisper. "What if he's having second thoughts? What if I'm not enough for him?"

Amelia shifted closer, her eyes filled with understanding. "You are more than enough, Julia. Don't ever doubt that. If anything, you’re too much.” She flashed a flirty, sexy smile responsible for melting men’s bodies across New York. “If I were a lesbian, forget about it. I can’t keep up with you and all your layers.”

I laughed, throwing my head back.

“Seriously. I’m not joking.” Amelia nudged me.

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