Page 218 of Bossy Hero

“And when Violet grew to be her own person, you resented her for it. Did I get that right?”

Some of her earlier arrogance returns, clouding her vision with self-righteousness. “You make me sound crazy.”

“I’m not making you sound like anything. I don’t need to because your actions are coming in loud and clear.”

“You think you know it all, don’t you?” Her upper lip curls into a snarl. “I bet you never made a selfish decision in your life.”

My unaffected mask starts to slip. She just struck me below the belt, whether she knows it or not.

No matter how strong I am, how far I go, or how many wrongs I make right, Icannotundo what happened to my brother. The guilt never leaves me. And as I look into Charlene Holt’s eyes, I see her guilt will never leave her either.

She’s grown into a bitter woman because of it. She’s done horrible things because of those past regrets.

I don’t want that for myself.

If I’m going to be a good father to Lettie and a grandfather to her baby, then I need to move past this shit. If I carry it around much longer, I’ll end up no better than this woman.

I came here for an explanation and an apology. One out of two ain’t bad.

“Charlene, I’m gonna wrap this up. I can see now that I won’t be getting an apology tonight. Not a believable one, anyhow. Because you aren’t sorry for what you did to me or Lettie.”

She tilts up her chin and splays her palm over her heart. “But Iamsorry.”

“That sensation in your chest isn’t remorse or regret. You’re only sorry for failing to make Lettie into the daughter you lost. And that’s not how apologies work. So I don’t need to hear anything further from you.”

I shake my head, repulsion unfurling inside of me. She stares at me, stunned into silence.

“I’ve only known my daughter for a few months.” I swallow down the sting of that statement and press on. “In that short time, I’ve learned she’s an amazing person, filled with love, hope, and joy. And she still wasn’t good enough for you. How tragic. You lost what could have been a healthy, loving relationship with Violet—yourgrandchild, not your daughter. Which is how it should have been all along.”

I stand and push away from the table. She remains seated, which suits me just fine.

“I’ll never stop grieving the years you stole from us. Tonight, I’ll leave here with the knowledge that my future with Lettie will be very different from yours. I’ll love her for the person she is and, hopefully, earn her love in return. While you’ll be left with nothing but resentment and disappointment. Seems fitting, considering we reap what we sow.”

She sits there, looking scandalized. But my ability to give a fuck bugged out about fifteen years ago.

Before I leave, I gesture toward the glass of iced tea on the table. “There’s not enough sugar in the world to cancel out the bitterness inside you. Have the life you deserve.”

Chapter40

Oh look! The consequences of my actions

Maddie

January - Clearwater, FL

To quote one of Alan’s favorite phrases,I’m getting too damn old for this shit.

Huh. Wasn’t that Danny Glover’s catchphrase fromLethal Weapon? Alan must be a fan since he uses it so often. One could argue it’s becomehiscatchphrase as well.

My body aches from head to toe. Sleeping on the fold-out sofa is only partially to blame.

Side note—there isn’t a mattress topper in existence that could make it comfortable for this many nights in a row. I’mlooking forward to sleeping in Sawyer’s expensive bed tonight.

Wait. That sounds bad. I’m staying in his guest room. On second thought, since my daughter officially married him, it’s become her guest room too.

Anyhow. Where was I?

Oh yeah. Constant pain is the story of my life these days.

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