Page 277 of The Bonus

“How does it feel to betray your own children?” I whisper. “To cut your only daughter out of her inheritance because you don’t like her fiancée?”

Her eyes well with tears. “I’m protecting her, I’m protecting you all.”

“The only person we have ever needed protection from…was you.”

Her silhouette blurs. I can’t do this. I can’t be here; I can’t fight for her to be a good person any longer.

I turn and stumble out of her apartment.

That’s it, I’m done.

She’s broken my trust for the last time.

Grace

I hear the front door click and I rush to the foyer. Gabriel is standing there; his tie is off and his hair is messed.

Pain is written all over his face.

“Babe,” I whisper as I take him into my arms, he drops his head into my neck and I hold him.

I don’t know what just happened, but it’s upset him deeply, I can feel it oozing out of his soul. We stand in each other’s arms for a long time, and eventually he whispers, “I’m sorry I yelled at you.”

“It’s okay.” He needs a soft place to fall.

He hugs me tighter.

“Your children want ice cream for dinner.”

I feel him smile into my hair. “Me too.”

I take his hand and lead him out into the back garden, where the children are painting on easels. “Daddy,” they call in excitement. “We’re painting pictures for you with our new paints.”

“Great.” He smiles softly, and with his arm around me, he kisses my temple. “I’m so grateful that you’re here.”

Suddenly, the world is right again.

We lie in the darkness in the cocoon of our bed.

Gabriel’s head is on my chest, and I aimlessly run my fingers through his hair. Tonight we’ve hit a new level of intimacy. It’s not sexual or romantic, it’s a closeness that only family can provide.

He’s quiet.

And as much as I want to know what went on tonight, I’m not asking. He will tell me when he’s good and ready.

“I don’t know why she’s like this…” he whispers.

I keep my fingers running through his hair, I’m enjoying it as much as he is.

“She changed when he left.”

Who left?

“And the worst part is, I knew he was going to leave and I never told her.”

I frown as I try to keep up with the conversation.

“I started working at Ferrara straight out of school, and there was no training period. I went straight to the top floor, straight into management.”

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