Page 147 of The Bonus

“We had something, and you’ve been rearing our children all alone…”

“I wasn’t alone.”

“What does that mean?” He puts his hands on his hips, indignant.

“Is that what you think?” I throw my hands up in disgust, of course it is. “That I’ve been sitting here alone and brokenhearted, crying over the infamous Gabriel Ferrara all this time.”

“What have you been doing?”

“I’ve been in a three-year relationship to a man that I loved deeply.”

His face falls. “You’re with someone?”

I really want to lie right now, but I know I can’t.

“Not anymore…but.”

“So…” He goes to take me in his arms.

What the fuck?

I pull out of his grip. “Gabriel…I’m telling you this with all sincerity, so please listen. Go back and marry Ariana. Don’t let go of something wonderful for an average night seven years ago that meant nothing.”

“You’re lying.”

“Mom,” a little voice sounds from the stairs.

We both look up to see Lucia standing midway up.

Shit.

“Oh, hi, baby.” I fake a smile. “I’m sorry, did we wake you?”

She nods as she rubs her eyes all sleepy like and wanders down the stairs.

“Hello Lucia,” Gabriel says softly.

“Hi.” She smiles up at him and holds her little arms up for a hug.

Ugh…not now.

Gabriel drops to his knee and hugs her. “I’m sorry for waking you, princess.”

Why does she have to be so damn cute all the time?

“Are you staying in Mom’s bed?” she asks.

“No.” “Yes.” We answer at the same time.

“I would love to stay, that way I can see you and your brother in the morning.” His eyes find mine. “Would that be okay, Grace?”

I glare at him. “No,” I mouth behind Lucia’s back.

“Thank you,” he replies as he totally ignores me. “Why don’t you go up to bed, Lucia, and I’ll come up and say good night in a moment.”

Damn it, why are they so familiar with each other, this is not okay.

Lucia’s smile beams through the room. “Okay.” She skips up the stairs and disappears.

---