So this was what it had come down to. Hunt couldn’t hold on to his wife; he needed his brother’s wife to take things in hand.
He wanted to bash his skull into a wall. His only consolation was that Lewis was going to love it when he showed back up at the estate.
Chapter 29
“Mom, you’re squeezing me too tight,” Noah said.
“Sorry.” Abby loosened her hold.
She’d been clinging to Noah these last few days, reliving every moment she thought she’d lost him for good. Nothing in her life had been more terrifying.
Abby stood and clenched her hands. “Are you hungry, sweetie? Do you want anything to eat?”
Noah shook his head, distracted by the television. Abby had loosened the reins on his TV time while they stayed with Maria.
Maria and her roommate were at work, but they’d opened their door to Noah and Abby, and Abby couldn’t imagine how she’d ever repay them. She’d been able to save money while she and Hunt lived together, and it was time to find a new place, because she couldn’t continue living with Hunt. And she couldn’t stay forever at Maria’s.
Abby rubbed her eyes, holding back tears. Marrying Hunt had been a mistake. She’d been distracted by her feelings for him and hadn’t thought things through.
Hunt was a good man, but he’d put her child in danger with the boat training he’d given Noah. She wasn’t sure what all happened at the club the other day, but she knew that if it weren’t for Hunt and Noah’s closeness, her son’s life would not have been at risk.
Vivian would learn about the accident and use it against Abby. Then she’d accuse Abby of marrying a man who was reckless; Abby could see the arguments unfolding now. To remain married to Hunt was asking for trouble.
Abby knew it would come down to this, a choice between happiness or her son. She just hadn’t expected it to come as a result of her marriage to Hunt. Or under such frightening circumstances.
A knot twisted in her stomach and she paced Maria’s small kitchen.
Abby hadn’t returned Hunt’s phone calls. She didn’t know what to tell him. She should end things officially. After all, they would have ended their marriage eventually, and now it was prudent. But something held her back. To make matters worse, Noah asked for Hunt constantly.
Abby was stalling, but every time she thought of leaving Hunt, her chest ached and tears threatened her eyes.
She missed sleeping next to him.
She missed talking to him about her day, and watching him with Noah.
Not being with Hunt felt worse than the obstacles she’d faced supporting her son on her own. As though nothing was worth it if she and Noah didn’t have Hunt. But that couldn’t be right, because her life was in more turmoil than before she’d married him.
A knock sounded at the door and Noah looked up. “Mom?”
“I’ve got it,” she said. “Stay there.”
Abby unlocked the deadbolt and opened the door a crack. And saw Noah’s grandparents on the other side. Vivian was assessing the apartment building with her nose turned down.
“Grandma!” Noah shouted, and ran to the door.
Abby opened the door wider, and Noah ran into his grandmother’s arms.
“Abigail,” Vivian said. “And Noah.” Vivian hugged Noah and smiled broadly. “How’s my favorite grandchild?”
Noah laughed. “I’m your only grandchild!”
“Oh, that’s right,” Vivian said.
If Vivian hadn’t put Abby through so much after Trevor’s death, she wondered if they could have had a good relationship. All things said, Noah’s grandparents loved Noah and were far more attentive thanherparents, who hadn’t even met their grandchild.
“I brought you a gift,” Vivian said to Noah, and handed him a box with a picture of trucks on it.
“Yay!” Noah shouted, and began tearing it open.
