Page 176 of The Husband Game

“I’m glad you’re doing it now,” Charlie said simply. “It doesn’t fix the past but thank you.”

“How dare you put your hands on me!” Jacqueline shrieked. “Stop that!”

Charlie glanced over to see a security guard gently grasping her arm. “Ma’am, we’re going to have to ask you to leave.”

“You have some nerve!” She yanked her arm away. She spun on her heel but stopped short when Matty, Nico, and Dominic blocked her way.

“I don’t think so,” Matty said. He glanced over at Charlie. “Tell us what you want us to do.”

“If you could please remove her from the arena, I’d appreciate it,” Charlie said.

In the past, he would have been embarrassed by the scene happening in front of his friends. But now, all he felt was relief that there were so many people nearby who cared about him. Who were looking out for him.

They’d shown up to support him without him ever having to ask.

Another security guard joined the first. “Ma’am, if you don’t leave on your own, we will be forced to call the Toronto police.”

Jacqueline huffed but she let herself be herded toward the door. “I can’t believe you’re letting them treat your own mother this way, Charlie!”

He closed his eyes and shook his head. She would never understand.

But it wasn’t his job to try to get through to her. It was only his job to take care of himself and the people he loved.

He turned to look at his dad who stood nearby, shoulders slumped. He looked over at Charlie with a stricken expression. “I’ll be going now but I want to apologize first. I never thought this would happen and I’m sorry it did.”

“I know.”

“I’ll make sure the charity donation gets sent but otherwise, you won’t hear from us again. Your mother’s ill and I’ve been incredibly blind to a lot of things but that’s not a good excuse. I know that. I’m sorry you got hurt again.”

“Dad?” Charlie’s voice cracked but he stepped forward anyway. “I … I don’t get it. What changed?”

“I did. I nearly lost my job.”

“What? But you’ve always loved it.” What his dad had seen in investment banking was beyond Charlie but he’d always seemed happy doing it.

“I could barely get out of bed some days. I lost clients and the other partners, well, they got me to realize that if I didn’t get myself together, I’d be forced to retire early.” He waved it off. “And I won’t get into all of that but the point is, it all led to me seeing exactly how much I let you down.”

“I’m glad you’re getting help,” Charlie said thickly. There was more he wanted to say but he wasn’t sure he could put the words together.

“I’m going to have to leave her, aren’t I?”

Charlie winced. “I don’t think that’s for me to say.”

“I’m afraid if I do, she’ll harm herself.”

“She already is,” Charlie pointed out gently.

“I know.” He let out a shuddering sigh. “I kept thinking she was doing better, but she’s not, is she?”

“No. She’s getting worse. I hope she’ll get help but sometimes, you have to let people choose to sink or swim. Otherwise, they’ll drown you right along with them.”

Charles wiped at his eyes. “I’m sorry I didn’t protect you the way a father should.”

“I’m sorry you didn’t too,” he admitted. “But I’m okay now. I’m safe and I’m loved and I’m getting healthy and that’s what matters.”

Charles nodded. “Well, take care of yourself. I do love you, son. Even if I didn’t show you.”

“I know,” Charlie said. A few tears trickled down his cheeks too. “I know you did.”

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