Page 69 of Don't Fall for the Billionaire
“Don’t.” My mother pointed a finger at her. “You don’t get to speak when you’re just his midlife crisis in a cocktail dress.”
My pulse was pounding in my ears. I swallowed hard and glanced at Charlotte, who sat there with a twisted face. She didn’t have to endure this.
“Pathetic as always,” my father shot back. “Still bitter, still jealous, still?—”
“Enough!” My commanding voice cracked. “This ends now. You will not do this here. Not with my daughter, who is most likely on her way back to the table. And certainly not in the middle of the restaurant. Dad, go to your table and enjoy your dinner. We’re finished here and leaving.”
Just as my father and Margo turned to walk away, Margo stopped and looked at my mother.
“I’m not his midlife crisis. I’m the mother of his child, you old bag!”
My mother’s jaw dropped as I pinched the bridge of my nose.
“Hope you enjoy raising the spawn of Satan,” she loudly voiced.
My parents may have divorced years ago, but their war with each other wasn’t finished, and still, to this day, carved scars into me.
As soon as Robert brought Eloise back to the table, I paid the bill, and we left. As we stood out on the sidewalk, saying goodbye, my mother asked if she could take Eloise for the weekend.
“The fall bake-off/fundraiser is at the school on Saturday,” I said. “Charlotte is entering one of her pies, and she’s selling them. So, I’m not sure this weekend will work.”
“I can go with Gigi after the school fundraiser, Dad,” Eloise looked up at me.
“Excellent. Then it’s settled. We’ll join you at the fundraiser and then take Eloise until Sunday night.” My mother smiled.
“Okay.” I nodded.
She hugged me before we parted ways. “I love Charlotte. You did right by hiring her. We’ll talk more about her later.” She winked and climbed into the back of their car.
The minute we arrived home, I said good night to Eloise, and Charlotte took her upstairs to get ready for bed. Pouring a scotch, I took it out to the terrace and sat down. The air was crisp, but not cold enough to cool my overheated body.
“There you are,” Charlotte said, stepping onto the terrace with a glass of wine in her hand. “What a night.”
“You shouldn’t have had to witness that. I’m sorry.”
“You have nothing to apologize for. Your parents are the ones who should be apologizing.”
“Huh.” I chuckled. “That’ll never happen. They don’t give two fucks who is in the crosshairs of their words. How humiliating.”
“I will admit. I love your mom.” She smiled. “She’s feisty.”
“She’s a lunatic, along with my father.”
“And it was always like that?” she asked.
“Ever since I could remember.” I tipped the glass to my lips. “Is Eloise all tucked in?”
“Yeah. Her eyes closed the second her head hit the pillow.
“What about her surgery? Did you schedule it yet?” I asked.
“No. I will, though. We’ll have to schedule it for after the talent show, if that’s okay.”
“When is it again?” I finished my drink.
“Three weeks.”
“Okay. Call in the morning to schedule it. I don’t want her to be unable to eat Thanksgiving dinner because her throat is too sore.”
