Page 135 of Every Silent Lie
Dec checks me by the stool, his face a picture of concern. I shrug. “I see you’ve met my sister.”
I nod, as April gives Dec a guilty look. “I didn’t mean to disturb you. I’m sorry, I just . . .” She goes back to the cupboard and pulls something out, slipping it into her bag as she faces the room again. “I forgot something when I was here earlier.”
“And now you’re leaving, right?” he asks, his voice full of warning.
“Right.” She flashes me a toothy smile. “I’m sorry for gatecrashing.”
“It’s totally fine,” I say. “I don’t know why he’s being so grumpy.”
“We must have dinner soon,” April says.
“I’d love that.”
“Time to go,” Dec says, collecting his sister and guiding her out. “You must be busy yourself,” he adds.
“Yes, yes, busy, busy, busy.” She shrugs him off and gives him a pointed look. “Blaine’s in the car. Stop being a grouch.” Then she flashes me another one of those wide smiles. “It was so lovely to meet you, Camryn.”
The door closes in the distance again, and every set of eyes, including mine, moves to the kitchen doorway as footsteps head this way. “Hello?” a man calls. “April?” A suited man appears, tall and unconventionally handsome.
With a child that’s bundled up in a bright blue coat with matching bobble hat and scarf sitting on his forearm. He’s four years old. I don’t even need to ask. He’s almost the exact same size Noah was. As cute too.
My stomach twists.
“Oh, hi,” the guy says when he sees me. “You must be . . . Camryn?”
I realise I’m staring at their child and rip my eyes away. I can’t fall apart every time I see a child around Noah’s age. I quickly go to him, holding out my hand. “Yes, Camryn.”
He gives my hand a firm shake. “And what’s your name?” I ask the little boy, forcing my smile.
“Albi!” he declares proudly.
Oh my heart. “That’s a real cute name.”
“My daddy chose it. Like his grandpa and my great grandpa.”
“Oh, so cool!” I laugh, smiling and backing off before I grab him and squeeze him half to death with the force of my cuddle. “He’s the cutest.” I take the glass on the counter, Dec’s glass, and drink his wine, feeling a flutter of panic. And judging by Dec’s pained face, he knows.
“I’m four!”
“I knew that.”
“How?” His little forehead furrows. “I didn’t tell you.”
“I just knew,” I say, feeling Dec’s worried gaze set on me.
Albi wriggles in Blaine’s hold, obviously trying to get down, but Blaine keeps hold of him, repositioning him higher on his forearm.
Dec looks so uncomfortable, and I feel terrible for that. I shake my head mildly at him, trying to silently tell him it’s okay, but his face. It tells me it’s not. “Dec never mentioned you have kids,” I go on.
April’s gaze darts to her brother’s. As does Blaine’s.
And a horrible icy chill glides down my spine, confirming it.
“They don’t,” Dec says quietly. “He’s?—”
“Daddy!” Albi sings, giving Dec grabby hands. “Aunty April forgot my drink bottle!”
I gasp quietly. Daddy?
