Page 39 of Reckless Hearts

And now, years later, with every reason to be a shattered woman, my mom still stands tall. Even after what happened when I was twelve. Evennow, with the love of her life stabbing her in the back and taking everything.

She remains unbroken. Unbent.

She’s honestly my hero.

“Dis-moi, Dahlia,” she sighs. “What is it I’m doing?”

“Fixating on how you can help other people with their problems instead of confronting the ones you’re dealing with yourself.”

There’s a moment of silence before she sighs.

“What? I’m not allowed to be concerned for the Kildare family and the fact that someone shot at your friend Calliope, just because thatsac à merdeGerard finally showed his true colors?”

I shake my head. “I’m so sorry, Mom.”

“Eh,” she mutters dismissively. “Don’t be. He can go fuck himself.”

This is Adele putting on her Brave Face; being flip and shrugging things off as if this is merely a man who stood her up on their second date. Not a man she married and finally opened her heart to, who’s now stabbing her in the back after years together.

I know she’s dying inside, though, even if she’s keeping a stiff upper lip for our phone call. Because I’ve spoken to Celeste, who was a lot more candid about my mom’s emotional state concerning everything that’s going on.

“Look, I was going to ask…have you talked with Uncle Adrian about—”

“Your aunt and uncle have done more for us than I will ever be able to repay, Dahlia,” she murmurs quietly. “I won’t ask them for anything more.”

“Mom—”

“He can’t solve all of our problems, sweetheart.” She sighs again. “Anyway, I’m not done fighting. I’m reaching out to some old investors today, and some of the board members on a few of the trusts.” She swears in French. “If only I could stop some of these cowards from jumping ship and selling our assets to the first bidder!”

It’s half that I don’t have the heart to tell her, and half that I literally don’t know what words I would use to tell her that a psychopath I once went to school with, and crossed, is the one using shell companies to buy up her assets. Yes, this “saves” them from Gerard. But at what cost?

Oh God…

Me.

Me, and whatever Deimos demands of me. That second part I’m most certainlynottalking to my mother about.

But whatever sadistic shit he has planned for me, I’ll take it. Icantake it. For my mother’s sake. She’s done and given everything for me.

Now, it’s my turn.

“But enough of that. How’s school, sweetheart? And how’s your new internship?”

I glance at the time and make a face. Shit, I need to get going.

“It’s good. They’re both good. Actually,” I groan, “I need to let you go. I have a…a meeting, with my new boss at the internship.”

“So late?”

I swallow, feeling warmth spread up my neck.

“Uh…yeah.”

“Well, I won’t keep you, then.”

“Mom, you know, you could always come here, stay with me for a bit.”

She laughs her musical, silvery laugh. “You’re too sweet. But,non, ma chérie.I’m at my best in Paris. And I’ve got Celeste and Adrian just a short train ride away in London.”

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