Chapter 11
“Mom,” Kevin said, his small hand clutching mine. “Your eyes are red. Are you crying?”
I knelt, touching his face, forcing a smile. “No, sweetheart. Let’s go home.” I stood, addressing Nancy. “You
heard him.”
Nancy glared, but she couldn’t force Kevin to stay. Joshua had made his decision. Soon, the divorce would be finalized, ending Gemma’s supposed leverage over Joshua. A wave of satisfaction washed over her.
The drive home was filled with my attempts to explain Julianna’s identity to Kevin. He resisted fiercely, crying inconsolably. I could only offer comfort, my heart aching with helplessness. Exhausted from crying, he finally fell asleep before we reached home.
I tucked him into bed, then heard a car downstairs. I went down just as Joshua opened the door. Our eyes met,
the air thick with tension.
“Where’s Kevin?” he asked.
“Upstairs. Asleep.”
He nodded and headed upstairs, passing me without a word. I watched him go, my hands clenching at my sides. Hesitantly, I followed. Five years. Intimacy. I deserved an explanation.
He entered Kevin’s room, gently lifting the sleeping child. He turned to leave.
I stood in the doorway.“Where are you taking him?”
“Julie has depression. She needs him.”
He left, Kevin in his arms. I stood there, stunned.
17:26
