Page 175 of The Husband Game

She pressed her lips together. “You’re being stubborn and melodramatic, Charlie. Like always. I can see you’ve let yourself go, but if you’ll buckle down again, you can get back to—"

“Are you fucking kidding me?” Dustin snapped, stepping forward.

Charlie held up a hand. “I’ve got this, Dustin.”

Dustin subsided with a little huff of frustration, but he brushed his fingers across Charlie’s shoulder, sending a warm wave of palpable support through him.

“Mom. We are done here. I am happy now and you have no place in my life. I have a fulfilling career, friends who care about me, and a husband I love.”

He froze, feeling the shape of that word in his mouth and how right it felt.

He swallowed, emotion coursing through him as he thought about what he’d said. Well, it was true, even if this wasn’t how he would have chosen for it to come out.

He glanced over to see Dustin staring at him, lips parted.

Charlie reached out and took Dustin’s hand, squeezing tight. “I’m with someone who only wants me to be healthy. Who loves me exactly the way I am. Who believes in me and supports me. I am surrounded by people like that now. I am happy and whole and there is no room in my world for you anymore.”

“How can you say such awful things to me, Charlie?” Jacqueline dabbed at her eyes but there was something odd about the gesture and he glanced over his shoulder to see a handful of people standing in the hall, watching them.

Right. She was putting on a show.

Because if she could get other people on her side, she could keep believing she was in the right. If she hadn’t hurt him so much, he’d feel sorry for her. Her life seemed so lonely and desperate.

“Stop, Jackie. Please.”

A low familiar voice made Charlie turn.

His heart leapt at the sight of his father. He’d … God, Charlie had missed him more than he’d realized. It had been so long since Charlie had heard him speak and it brought back memories of chattering on about fashion and design, his dad listening intently and asking questions about things he cared nothing about, all because it made Charlie happy.

Tears sprang to his eyes.

“Charles … what …” Jacqueline blinked. “How can you stand here and listen to our son say such terrible things?”

Charles shook his head. “When you said you wanted to come here tonight, I was skeptical. You swore Charlie sent the invitation and I convinced myself it was true and you knew what was best but clearly you lied.”

“No, you must have misunderstood,” she said with an awkward laugh.

“No.” His face sagged, his shoulders slumping. “No, I wanted to believe you. But that was foolish of me.”

“Dad?” Charlie said, confused.

He turned to look at Charlie. He looked … a lot older now. A lot more worn.

“I’m sorry, son,” he said softly. “I—I … we’ll be leaving now. We never should have come. I wouldn’t have, if I’d realized but …”

But his dad had always believed her. He’d always chosen her side.

“But Mom has always known what to say to get you to go along with her,” Charlie said quietly.

His father hung his head, nodding. “Yes.”

“Charles!” she protested. “How can you let him say such awful things about me? How can you believe any of this?”

He lifted his head, squaring his shoulders. “Because, Jacqueline, he’s right. I love you but you aren’t well. You haven’t been for a very long time. And neither have I. I—I let you hurt our son because I was afraid of losing you but I won’t let you keep hurting him. Can’t you see how happy he is now? Why on earth did you come here tonight? What did you hope to gain from it?”

“Charles, I …” She looked around, seeming bewildered. “Why are you saying these things? Why is everyone taking his side?”

“I’m not … don’t you see, I’m putting Charlie first. Protecting him. Which is what I should have done years ago.” He swallowed hard. “I’m ashamed I didn’t do it sooner.”

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