Page 81 of Tangled Up

His brow lowers, and he has the nerve to appear confused. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“You only met her once. That one summer you visited the Pearl. We went to dinner together, and you decided she was going to ruin my life.”

“You were twenty years old.” He laughs into his glass. “You were just starting med school, which is a long and arduous process. Last thing you needed was some little immigrant girl holding you back.”

My jaw drops, and I’m actually stunned. “Why would you say that? Carly’s parents were from Eden.”

“I knew her mother, and she wasnotfrom Eden.” He takes another drink. “She was a slut who tried to seduce me.”

“You’re not going to talk about her mother that way.” My voice is low and threatening. “Mom told Carly they were friends. Is that how you knew her?”

“I knew her because she wanted everything your mother had. She was so desperate it was pathetic. Now you’re bringing her daughter into our family, and it’s like a slap in the face.” He stands, tapping his finger on the tabletop. “Those people do not belong in our pedigree, and your mother agreed with me.”

I can’t tell if he’s drunk, but I smell bullshit. Leaning back in my chair, I steeple my fingers in front of my lips. My father’s words don’t match Carly’s memory or mine.

For starters, I have no reason to think what Carly shared with me about my mom was motivated by anything more than the memory of a special moment of genuine affection. My mother wanted to include her in our world.

Besides that, I remember when we were young, Carly had once shared with me her pain that her mother died so soon after her father, almost as if she didn’t love her children.

I lift my tumbler and take a sip before saying flatly, “I don’t believe you.”

For a moment, my father glares at me like he doesn’t believe his ears. “What?” His voice rises, but I’m unaffected by his attempt at intimidation.

“From what I understand, Carly’s mother was devoted to her dad—so much so she died soon after he did.”

His jaw clenches, and he turns away, exhaling under his breath. “A total waste.” Bitterness fills his tone as the mask slips away. “I could’ve given her everything, and she chose him.”

Now I know he’s drunk, but I don’t care. It’s all making sense finally, and it’s fucking worse than I thought. “You were in love with her.”

He walks towards the balcony rail to where the trees stand like guards. “She was bewitching. The most beautiful girl I’d ever seen.”

“And you couldn’t have her.”

“Edward Dennison had nothing. He was a loser. First he was going to law school, then he was going to be a scientist.” My father scoffs. “He worked on a construction crew, and he knocked her up so fast… it was a fucking cliché.”

Truth washes over me in waves. “That’s why you never go to Eden. It’s why you hated Henry and Carly.” Shaking my head, I think about how soon after my mother’s death he started dating again. “Did you even love my mother?”

His eyes snap to mine, and his brow lowers sternly. “I won’t dignify that with an answer.”

“Mom never cared about wealth and pedigree. She cared about people, and she loved that house at the beach. You took her away from there, away from her friends. Was it all for spite?”

“You have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“I know you lied to me. You almost cost me the woman I love most in the world.”

“The little girl who kept you from being a surgeon?”

“I never wanted to be a surgeon.” Stepping closer, I’m thankful I’m a few inches taller. I look down on him, enunciating every word. “I never wanted to be like you. Now give me my mother’s rings.”

His jaw flexes, and looking up at me, I see icy fire burning in his eyes. I feel molten lava in mine, and to his credit, he turns on his heel and stalks away from where I’m standing. He disappears into the house, and I walk slowly to the edge of the balcony.

It’s a strange feeling to learn a horrible truth that erases a horrible lie. The lie was a heavy weight in my chest, but the truth is equally heavy. I’m reminded of that scene in Indiana Jones when he swaps out the idol for the bag of sand… and the cave begins to collapse and arrows shoot out to kill everyone.

Reaching up, I scrub my fingers against my forehead. I need to be with Carly. When I’m holding her, everything makes sense. None of my dad’s bullshit, the bullshit I’ve lived with my entire life, matters. She’s the balm to my weary soul.

The click of his shoes lets me know he’s returned. Straightening, I pull it together.

“Here are the items you requested.” He holds out a small black box. “Your mother left you the house in her will, as you know. I’ll give you the rings, but don’t expect any more.”

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