Page 66 of The Life We Left Behind

I really looked at my father then. It was obvious that he knew nothing of what she’d done. He’d just been a pawn in her—“Gage,” I whispered. “Is this why he left us? Did you make him help you?”

Gage was a subject that was rarely spoken about in this house. As soon as he was old enough, he’d left and never looked back. He cut all contact with us, and none of us had heard from him since.

My mother sighed, turning to look out the window. “Gage will be back when he’s done having his tantrum.”

She didn’t need to say anything else. It was enough of a confirmation for me and my father.

He surged out of his seat with a fury on his face that I’d honestly never seen before. “Trace,” he said calmly while his glare was fixed on my mother, looking so perfect in her twin set with the delicate pearls around her neck. You’d never know what a monster she truly was just by looking at her. “Go and spend some time with your family, son. It’s time for your mother and I to have a long overdue talk.”

I didn’t need telling twice. I’d come here to confront her, and I had. I didn’t expect her to apologize or even admit that she waswrong. That just wasn’t the person my mother was. Maybe I’d come here to say goodbye, to throw down the gauntlet, and push them both the hell out of my life.

As I strode away, I paused at the drawing room door, pushing my knuckles against the frame as I took a moment to try to get my head straight. “I can’t promise I’m coming back,” I finally said.

For a moment, neither of them said a word. I didn’t need to see my mother’s face to know it would be perfectly calm. I doubted she cared either way. But as I was about to leave, my father’s words cut through the air.

“I wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t, son. This family is a mess, and it’s partially my fault for allowing it to get to this point. But that ends today. I’ll be in touch soon. We have a lot to talk about if you’re open to it.”

I was just about to walk away when my father added, “Hug my grandson for me, Trace.”

I didn’t look back as I stormed out of the house, heading to my car. I was so lost in my own feelings of anger and betrayal that I nearly missed the truck coming down the driveway. It only made me pause because I recognized the vehicle and knew it never came here.

Instead of getting in the car, I rounded it, leaning against the trunk as I waited for Booker to pull up beside me. When he did, I frowned in concern. My brother looked like a wreck. The dark circles under his eyes were evident that he hadn’t slept, and the fact that his shirt was crumpled and looked like he’d worn it all night had me on high alert.

What the hell else was about to go wrong now?

“Trace, what are you doing here?”

Something flashed through Booker’s eyes that looked like guilt, and I stepped closer to my brother in concern. “I thinkthat’s something I should be asking you. Have you ever been back to this house when it hasn’t been a major holiday?”

“I need to talk to Mother. Is she home?” His gaze darted to the house and then back to me. He frowned at the gaping front door that I hadn’t bothered to close behind me, knowing it meant that something was wrong. “What’s happened?”

For a moment, I doubted him. Had he known? All this time, had he stood by my side in support because he was trying to make up for something so truly unforgiveable?

But then I shook my head, dispelling the doubts. Because this was Booker.

He was the eldest brother, and he’d always looked out for us. That meant he took the brunt of our mother’s disappointment at times, but he did it anyway. Because if Booker found something that he genuinely cared about, then there was nothing he wouldn’t do for them.

“Unfortunately. Father is currently discussing the problems with the family with her. I’m not sure what he thinks he can fix, but he seems to be standing up to her for once.”

Booker looked at me carefully. He took a cautious step forward as he did, searching my eyes like he wanted to be sure.

“You know,” he finally said.

I reared back in shock. What the fuck?

“Wait, wait.” Booker held his hands up in surrender before I could even begin to yell about the betrayal. “I saw them in town. I knew as soon as I saw him. I might have accused Delaney of hiding him from you, which was obviously wrong. I came here for answers,” he added with a wince.

I could only imagine how Delaney would have reacted to that accusation.

Booker may have meant well, but our family had been nothing but trouble for her. It was no wonder she’d fled this place and never come back until now.

With my son.

“I missed everything, Booker. The pregnancy, the birth. I never saw any of his firsts. I don’t even know what he likes. How is he going to look at me and see a father and not a monster? I just…I can’t believe she did this to me.”

Booker shook his head as his hand came to my shoulder. “This family doesn’t matter anymore, Trace. You have to protect what’s yours. I will always fight for you, and I will always have your back. Go to them. They’re the ones you should be with. This place, those people…they don’t deserve you. Go and be happy. It’s all I’ve ever wanted for you, and now you finally have the chance.”

He was right. Booker was always right.

---