Page 24 of Marrying the Gardener
“Nightingale,” he interjects. “I took your name, remember? I don’t need to be aCharteranymore.” Scorn laces the way he says his old name, as though it’s already beneath him, and he swirls his wine, for added effect.
He’s good at this. So it’s a good thing everyone and their monkey’s uncle says that love makes you blind, because if I weren’t, he’d be dead to me already. “I’m sorry.” I hug him, close, tight, resting my head against his shoulder as though he’s my entire world. “It will take a little getting used to. Kaleb and I eloped this morning.”
Esmee lets her mouth fall open before she crosses her arms against her broad midsection and says, “You pregnant, ma’am?”
If only I could blush on cue… Unfortunately, I cannot, so I smile—maybe, hopefully shyly—and fix my hand on my stomach. “Well…yes.”
The physical weight of Ava’s disapproval could serve to inspire morning sickness. Even though I’m refusing to look at her, itburns. I teeter against shame, guilt, and pain as my fingers tremble. Instinct demands I apologize to the closest thing I’ve had to a mother my entire life, but an apology doesn’t fit the script here.
Kaleb sets his hand over mine, almost tenderly. “It’s nothing to be ashamed of, baby. It’s the only way we could be together. You know I would have married you first, if your father could have approved.”
“Your father will still not approve,” Ava says, tone iron hard.
“I intend to prove myself to him,” Kaleb responds, equally hard. “I will show him I’m worthy of being the son he’s always wanted.”
This time, I can’t stop my real emotions from leaking through. The words sting, replaying in my mind, vibrating with truth.
My father wanted a son, and I know how different my life would have been if I were a boy.
I may have been loved.
I may have been wanted.
I may not have been hit nearly as much.
For this entire plot to work, my father and grandfather will have to like a complete stranger more than either of them have ever tolerated me. And even if I despise the men in my family, that stillhurts.
Ava catches sight of the tears welling in my eyes and stands, planting her hands on her hips. “Watch your tongue.”
“Watch yours.” Kaleb pins Ava with a look so self-indulgent, I want to hit him. “You’re speaking to the man of this house.”
Ava’s gray brows shoot skyward, and she scoffs. “Am I? Well then. As themanof this house, you should know better than to speak so carelessly around the lady of it. Consider Ms.Nightingale’s feelings.”
“Mrs.Nightingale,” Kaleb states. “And I think I know what my wife can handle.”
It’s so perfect, this act. This pride. This suggestion that a man knows me better than the woman who raised me. It’s so twisted. It’s so reminiscent of my father. It’s…going to work.
I just don’t know at what cost.
“Kaleb,” I say, around the lump forming in my throat.
His eyes drop to me, and something in them…shifts—horrified.
I continue, “It’s okay. Ava’s only looking out for me. There’s no need to be so defensive. We knew this would be sudden.”
“Sudden,” Ava mutters. “How long did you say you’ve been together?”
“Just over two years,” I offer, bracing myself when I drag my gaze off Kaleb and to her.
“Two years you’ve kept this secret from me.” Ava’s lips prune, and she shakes her head, looking both furious and heartbroken. “I thought I raised you better than this.” With that, she turns from the room, and my entire soul crumbles into dust.
?
“Am I a horrible person?” I ask, voice hollow. I am once again lying, exhausted, atop my comforter. It’s evening. And even though we were forced to spend hours together earlier, Kaleb insisted that after this afternoon, we needed to take advantage of our rule to spend time together tonight.
“Absolutely not.” Kaleb kicks off his pants as though my seeing him in his underwear isn’t a big deal at all. It isn’t of course. But it’s odd how little he cares about it as he pulls a pair of gray sweats out of his suitcase.
I wish I could tell Crisis everything, but I don’t want to burden her with this. I’m also afraid she’ll tell me that I’m beingstupid when she’sright here, about to marry a billionaire who adores the life out of her. She could save me. So easily. Heck. Viktor would save me himself if I asked. He’s tried to before. I’ve not let him.
