Page 99 of Check the Halls
I look between Kathleen and her son as I decide the best way to respond. Finally, it hits me.
I smile at her with fake warmth before saying, “Get the fuck out of my office, Kathleen.”
Mother and son wear matching expressions of shock. Mommy Dearest recovers first, her spine snapping straight.
“I beg your pardon,” she says, her voice like ice cracking across the frozen canal.
“I’m serious,” I reply, my voice calm but firm. “I don’t owe either of you anything. Not an apology, not an explanation, and definitely not another chance. Honestly, I can’t even begin to understand why you’re pushing for a reconciliation. The only reason I can think of is that you’re too embarrassed to tell your country club coven the wedding’s off. Well, itisoff. So do us all a favor and cross it off your social calendar.”
Her mouth drops open, painted on red lips trembling with outrage. “You ungrateful little?—”
“Mother, stop.” Derek’s voice cuts through the tension. He moves quickly, crossing the room to her side. With surprising gentleness he takes her by the hand and helps her to her feet. “Please…wait for me in the lobby.”
Kathleen blinks at him, stunned. “Darling, this isnotwhat we discussed.”
“Well,” he says, casting a glance over his shoulder at me, “plans change. Clearly. I’d like to speak to Madelyn alone.”
It’s obvious Kathleen is barely holding it together. She gives me a seething look, but to my amazement, she doesn’t argue. Instead, she pivots on her stiletto with a huff of indignation before leaving us alone.
Goodbye, forever!I sing-song in my head.
Derek closes the door behind her and turns back tome. It feels like a face off. We’re two opponents, grappling for control. But I remind myself that I’ve already won and I don’t have to play this game any longer.
“Madelyn,” he speaks calmly and professionally, like I’m a difficult client. “Is there any chance we can salvage this?”
“Derek,” I match his tone. “Do you actually think what we had is worth saving?”
Aside from the brief flaring of his nostrils, his face remains neutral.
“So that’s it?” He asks, matter-of-factly. “You’re really calling this?”
I sigh, sitting on the edge of my desk. “I am sorry, Derek. But I don’t want to be with you. I don’t think I have for a long time, if I’m being honest. And I think if you're being honest with yourself, you don’t want to be with me either. Am I wrong?”
He doesn’t answer right away. Instead, he turns to the window, watching the city beyond it like it might offer some kind of answer. The silence stretches, heavy but not hostile.
“Everything about us made sense,” he says eventually. “On paper.”
I nod slowly. “Yeah. On paper, we looked perfect. I think we both convinced ourselves that should be enough.”
“But it wasn’t.” His voice is quieter now, more reflective. “My parents were really pushing me to settle down. I thought that was what I wanted, too—or maybe I just didn’t want to disappoint them. I don’t know. I’m not even sure anymore.”
“You still have time,” I say gently. “You’ll find someone who wants the same things you do.”
He scoffs, giving me that familiar little eye roll—the one that used to make me clench my jaw and bite my tongue. “Are you going to start giving me dating advice now, Maddy?”
“No,” I reply, offering a faint smile. “But can I give you a bit of life advice?”
He shrugs. “Sure. What the hell.”
“Figure out whatyouwant, Derek. What kind of life you want to build, what kind of partner will actually fit into that picture. Don’t make choices just to please your parents or to hit someone else’s milestones. Make them foryou.”
He’s quiet again, his brow furrowed like he’s trying to solve a case with half the evidence missing.
“My parents gave me everything,” he says after a moment, almost defensively.
“I get that,” I say. “But think of your life like a car. Just because your parents gave it to you, doesn’t mean they get to drive it.”
He huffs a laugh, the edge of a real smile tugging at his mouth. “That was actually… kind of profound. Can I be honest now?”
