Page 90 of Sweet Nothings

Excusing Kellan’s behavior. Typical.

“How is Monroe?” Fred asks again.

“She’s fine.” I grind my molars, keeping my composure as best I can. “For now.” I keep Ray in my peripheral, taking note of his continuous steps in my direction.

“We tried telling the nurse we were family, but they wouldn’t let us back there to see her.”

I wrap my arms around myself. “Yeah.” I chew on the inside of my cheek. “Roe doesn’t need or want to see either of you. It’ll only make her feel worse than she already does.”

“What the fuck?” Kellan takes a step forward, balling both his hands into fists at his side. “Is this because of you? Did you fucking tell them to not let us see her?”

Ray takes a large step forward, readying himself for anything Kellan might pull.

“No, Roe told them she didn’t want to see you before I even came into the room.” I steel my eyes on him. His nose is broken and swollen. A large, white bandage is taped to the bridge. Deep red and purple bruises peek out from the white gauze. Kellan certainly won’t forget what Lennon did to him anytime soon.

“I’m her uncle.” Fred points to his chest, spit flying from between his lips. “I’ve always cared about Monroe. How dare you keep her condition a secret from me. I had a right to know.”

“It was what she wanted,” I argue. “She specifically asked me not to tell anyone. Even you, Fred.”

“Roe is my sister.” Kellen yells.

“Do you know what?” I scoff. “You two are fucking unbelievable. You only claim us as your family when it’s convenient or when you see a way your relationship with us can benefit you.” I pin Kellan with an icy glare. “Did you ever stop and think about me or her when you stole our money? What, now that Roe isdying,you suddenly care whether she’s going to live? You’re a fucking asshole, Kellan.”

He takes a step forward, curling his upper lip. “You’re lucky I’m not pressing charges against your husband for what he did to me.”

I take another step forward. “And you’re lucky to be out of prison at all.”

“Kellan earned his early release,” Fred interjects. “I think it’s about time we all moved on.”

I would say fresh tears spring to my eyes, but none come. Whether it’s because I’ve run dry from how many tears I’ve already shed tonight, the exhaustion slamming into me, or it could be that I simply have no love for the two men standing in front of me, I feel absolutely nothing.

I think about the past several years of my life. I’ve gone from being a wallflower to graduating law school to becoming Mrs. Lennon Harding.

I look at my brother and uncle and feel hollow inside. They’ve done nothing but take advantage of the love I had for them. And now not only is the well of tears inside me completely dried up, my well of love is bone dry too.

“You’re right.” I nod, pressing my mouth into a tight line. I inhale a heavy breath through my nose and place my left hand in my right to finger the large diamond on my wedding ring. My chest spreads with a warmth I only get when I think about Lennon. “We do need to move on.” I look up at Kellan then dart my eyes to Fred. “I quit.”

“Excuse me?” he asks, confused.

“Yeah.” I take in an unsteady breath, but I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life. “I’ll draft up my resignation tomorrow and deliver it to your office on Monday.”

Fred’s jaw clenches under his full crimson cheeks. The dimple in his cheek deepens. It reminds me of my mother’s. My heart aches wondering what she would think of her son and her brother now. Would she be proud of me for standing my ground? Would she be happy I’d found someone I love and who loves me in return?

“You’re about to lose the only family you have,” Fred warns. “You’re going to regret this.”

“No.” I frown and shake my head. “No, I don’t think I will. Besides, I already have a family. You just aren’t a part of it.”

I look at my brother and uncle one last time before passing Ray and heading to the exit door of the emergency room. I feel him follow behind me once I step out into the hot, sticky Boston summer air.

“Are you all right, Mrs. Harding?” Ray asks as I pass him.

“I’m okay,” I choke out. I give him a nod, feeling Fred and Kellan’s eyes staring at my back. “I’m ready to go home.”

TWENTY-NINE

I carefully remove the bandage wrapped around my hand and drop the bloodied gauze into the trash. Lifting my hand, I study the cleaned cuts and bruises, wincing as I flex my fingers.

The sound of my fist connecting with Kellan’s face isn’t a sound I’ve been able to forget easily. But when I think about his words in Laurel’s ear, it was all worth it. The blood and pain shed were all worth it.

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