Page 123 of The Bonus

“Have a great weekend.” She kisses my cheek. “Nice to meet you, Gabriel.”

“You too.” He smiles.

The four of us stand in silence, unsure what to say next.

Gabriel’s eyes hold mine. “I’ve made arrangements for you to be looked after financially, my accountant will be in touch to get your banking details.”

“That isn’t necessary, we don’t want your money.”

“Don’t be a fool, Grace.”

“Don’t even…”

“Well.” His eyes hold mine. “I guess I should get going.”

Emotion crashes over me like a shipwreck as we stare at each other.

“It’s for the best,” he says as if sensing my inner meltdown. “You’re right…about everything.”

I nod, unable to push a word past my lips.

“So goodbye.” He smiles down at the twins.

They have no idea how significant this goodbye really is.

Don’t leave them.

If he doesn’t want to be their dad, then I can’t change it. It’s better he leaves now rather than a long, drawn-out goodbye.

“Gabriel is going back to New York, guys, say goodbye,” I tell them.

Lucia looks up at him. “When will you be back?”

A frown flashes across his face. “I…I can’t come back.”

“Oh.” Her little face falls.

“Give him a hug,” I prompt them.

Gabriel goes down on one knee and Lucia gives him a big bear hug. He closes his eyes as he holds her close.

“It was so lovely to meet you,” he tells her. “I’ll never forget you.”

Lucy smiles into his hair as he holds her close.

My nostrils flare as I try to keep it together.

They eventually pull out of the hug and he turns to Dominic. “Can I get a hug goodbye?” Gabriel asks him.

Dominic sighs as if he is a major inconvenience.

“Hug Gabriel,” I snap as I widen my eyes. Can you stop being a little shit for just once in your life? This could be the only time you will ever get to hug your father, please just do it.

Gabriel grabs Dominic and holds him tight and seeing the two of them together is too much, the dam does burst this time and I quickly wipe a lone tear as it escapes.

I don’t even know why I’m crying; I know this really is for the best.

“It was an honor to meet you,” Gabriel says as he straightens his son’s T-shirt. “You look after your mother.”

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