Page 323 of Night's Fall
“He’s a maleIhate because he’s not a good male.She’lllearn this if she doesn’t already know it.Shemight stay, as she did with me, so she can have the life she wishes to lead, something she can’t have unless she cohabitates.ButIdoubt it, because he’s that detestable and she no longer has the reason she had to be with him, that reason being attempting to harm me.Andwhen she finds herself at loose ends for a partner to share expenses with, this might become a problem.”
Aleksei understood what he was saying, and reminded him, “She’ssigned an agreement to remain out ofLaura’slife.”
“This won’t stop her because she knows her daughter, or more to the point, she knows what buttons to push to get her way, and if those don’t work, she’s highly adept in creating a situation where she’ll get the attention she needs, even if it’s negative.”
“Meaning?”
The male tipped his head to side. “Haveyou not notedLaura’ssoft heart?”
Aleksei felt a muscle in his jaw tick, because he most assuredly had, in the numerous ways she displayed it.
Including her having even a hint of understanding of how this male treated her.
Makepeace gestured to the greenhouse with his trowel. “WhenLauraleft,Iattended anger mitigation classes.Oneof the things they suggested was to find a hobby.Spendsome time each day doing something you enjoyed.”
And the male chose gardening.
Aleksei didn’t want it to, but he found this choice interesting, and his dedication to it telling.
“I askedCetrato attend with me, or to sit down with a relationship counselor to try to understand if we have anything to work on.Sherefused both.”
Aleksei was unsurprised at this, but he said nothing.
“There is no excuse—”Makepeacebegan.
“No, there isn’t,”Alekseiagreed before he could say it.
“AndIknow that, soIcan assure youIwill honorLaura’sno contact order.Ifshe wishes to keep me informed through her aide,Iwill gratefully accept.IfInever hear another word,I’llaccept that too.Iwon’t like it, butI’llaccept it, andI’lldo it because that’s what my daughter needs.Butthe matter of whatIwas to her and whatIdid to her is very different than what kind of motherCetrawas to her.”
This, he was interested in.
“Explain,”Alekseiordered.
Makepeace appeared uncomfortable. “Ido believeCetraloved me, at first.Thisis part of my penance.ThatIwas so lonely after my loss,Ifound the first female who would take me in my sorry state and marry me, not considering what it might do to her.”
“And?”Alekseiprompted.
“That love quickly turned to hate.Understandable, in one sense.Ifit was directed at me.However, she’s the kind of female who was unable to feel her feelings, find her way to something better, or find a way to work it out.Instead, she put everything into making those around her just as miserable as she was.Evenher daughter.Recentcase in point,Chevalforce.Cetrais an attractive female.Shecould find any number of lovers.Shechose him specifically.”
“This isn’t lost on me either.”
Makepeace inclined his head. “WhatI’msaying is, there’s no excuse for whatIdid.ButIunderstandIdid it.Itake responsibility for the ramifications of it.IknowIharmed my own daughter to the point she wants nothing to do with me.Andthis is whatImust live with.Cetradoes not take responsibility for her actions.I’mno danger toLaura, not anymore, butIknowIalso am because of our history.”Alook of agony flashed through his expression before he could control it. “Now,Ihurt her just by existing.Cetradoesn’t understand she does the same.”
“You think she’ll eventually attempt a reconciliation,”Alekseisummed it up.
Makepeace nodded. “Forwhat she can get out of it, yes.”
“You must know, in order to protect my mate,I’mpaying attention to you both.”
The male dipped his chin. “Ofcourse.Butyou must understand,Iknow howIhurtCetra.Itake responsibility for that too.I’mrelieved about this dissolution, for myself, but also for her.Sheneeds to be free of me.Sothis isn’t me being bitter and trying to get one over on her.Ifear, if she’s given half a chance, she’ll connive her way back intoLaura’slife.AndLauramay be taken in by her.Thereare two in each couple, your highness.Youare here and she doesn’t know.Lauracan do things too that she doesn’t want you to know.Youwere angry when you caught her speaking to me.Whatmight that bring if her mother reaches out to her?”
That muscle jumped in his cheek again, and it cost him to say what he said next.
But it was the truth.
“I’m an adult, so is my fiancée.Shecan do as she pleases.Butin the end, whatever comes of it, rest assured,Ihave her heart safe in my hands.”
With that,Alekseiturned to leave.
