Page 122 of Play It Sinful

“Can I get you anything from the kitchen?”

“No, and I should be the one offering, since it’s my house. Do you want anything to drink?”

“I’m okay.” She looks at Chris.

“Uh… I think I’ll grab a glass of water.” He veers for the kitchen and grabs a clean glass that was drying on the counter.

Mom sits on the chair next to the couch and stares without saying a word. I hate the tension in the air. Chris finally comes over and takes the chair opposite Mom’s. It seems neither is willing to start the conversation, so I guess it’s up to me.

“So… how long have you been together for real?”

“Soon after I married Mitchell, I knew I had made a terrible mistake.”

Mitchell, the man I believed to be my father. I don’t really remember him. He died in a car crash when I was so young.

“Why didn’t you get a divorce?”

Mom drops her gaze to her lap. “Because I got pregnant soon after the honeymoon. I had a miscarriage, and after that, I went into a severe depression. Mitchell didn’t care. He was a cold man. When Chris came back into my life, I was a shell of a woman. He breathed life back into me.”

My heart feels heavy. I had no idea Mom suffered from mental health issues like me. I turn to Chris and catch him staring at Mom with glistening eyes. I can see how much he truly loves her.

“But you could have divorced then.”

“I wanted a divorce at the time,” Chris speaks up. “I was ready to tell my wife I was leaving, but then she got pregnant. I couldn’t do it, especially when it became a difficult pregnancy.”

“We made a mess of things,” Mom adds. “Chris stayed married to Laura longer than he wanted to because of me. I ended things with him for a while.”

“And it gutted me, but I had to accept it. I tried to make it work with Laura. Then came Kenzie.”

I sink into the couch, thinking about the ripple effect of all their decisions. During their early adulthood, they got so used to lying that I’m not even surprised they didn’t tell Sean, Kenzie, and me that Chris was my biological father.

“I’m so sorry we didn’t tell you the truth, Ash. You have no idea how much I regret keeping that from you.”

I take a deep breath. Yes, I’m upset that they didn’t tell me, and I’m not sure I’ll ever trust Mom fully again, but if I had believed Sean was my brother from the start, I wouldn’t have the relationship I have with him now.

“I forgive you, Mom… and you Ch—I mean, Dad. God, it’s weird to call you Dad.”

He gives me a wry smile. “It’s okay, hon. You don’t need to call me Dad. But I’ve always loved you like a father loves a daughter, and my feelings wouldn’t be any different if you weren’t mine.”

I let out shaky breath. I know that to be true. He’s stubborn, and strict to a fault, but he’s always been a loving father to all of us.

The front door opens, and Sean walks in. The heaviness in my heart lifts at his presence. God, I love this man.

“Hello. I hope I’m not interrupting anything.” His eyes connect with mine, and I read the question in them. He wants to know if I’m okay.

“Your timing is perfect.” I smile.

He walks over and sits next to me on the couch. He’s relaxed when he throws his arm around my shoulder and he kisses my cheek. Mom seems taken aback by the display of affection.

“What is it?” I ask.

She shakes her head. “It’s… I don’t know. I guess it’ll take a while to get used to seeing you together like this.”

“Better get used fast.” Sean replies. “This is forever.”

CHAPTER 53

ASHLEY

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