Page 46 of My Captive's Heart
“Hey, Dad,”Matt greets, taking a seat at the dining table opposite me.
I lower the newspaper. “Son.”
“Molly’s back.”
My gut tightens painfully at hearing her name on his lips. She reached out to him already? Why did I think she wouldn’t?
After dropping off Molly two days ago, I went for a long drive. When I returned and didn’t find Matt in his room, I assumed he was out late with his friends.
“She’ll be coming to the barbecue today,” Matt shares. “So, order extra hot dogs. You know how much she loves it.”
With potato salad and baked beans on the side.
“What’s with the bags underneath your eyes?” He frowns in concern, reaching for an apple. “Rough night?”
Guilt gnaws at my insides. I’ve betrayed my son in the worst way a father ever could. It’s far more treacherous and selfish because I don’t regret it one bit.
“Yeah.”
“For a guy who took time off work, I didn’t see you at all the past week,” he comments. “Where were you?”
Sleeping with your girlfriend.
Loving her.
Trying to steal her from you.
“Went to a cabin up the hill.”
“You and Molly are twins,” he jokes. “Nature lovers. Obsessed with alone time. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you two went together.”
I tense while he laughs, clueless about how close to the truth he is. “That’ll defeat the purpose of alone time.”
“True.”
“Did you want to talk about something else?” I divert the topic.
He instantly grows somber and a little nervous. Clearing his throat, he replies, “I did.”
“Go on.” My tone is calm. I feel anything but.
Leaning sideways, he reaches inside his jeans pocket and pulls out a small red velvet box. I stare at it like it’s a bomb, ready to blow my life up in flames. I already know what lies inside it before Matt even lifts the lid.
“I’m going to ask her to marry me today.” Tilting the diamond ring toward me, he asks with a broad grin, “What do you think?”
My throat goes dry, unable to form syllables. He mistakes my speechlessness for happiness and excitement.
“Pretty, huh? I hope she loves it. I even invited her mom. She should be here soon. I want to do it with all our friends and family around.”
“I thought you wanted to wait until New Year’s.”
“I changed my mind.” He puts away the ring. “We were talking one night before she left for the retreat. She was feeling a distance between us. Long-distance relationships are hard. But I need her to know I’m all in and that she’s my priority.”
I’m once again at a loss for words.
Each word is akin to a bullet in my chest. Unbeknownst to my pain, Matt stands.
“I’ll get ready. She’ll be here soon.”
