It was impossible not to empathize with her situation. I couldn’t even begin to imagine the kind of pain that came with desperately wanting to be a parent and it not happening.
Still didn’t make what she was doing right, when she was the one who hadn’t wanted anything to do with her sister’s child to begin with.
“I’m done. It’s over.” Her voice sounded again.
A frown pulled at my brows. “What?”
“Millie is happy with you. She’s built a life with you.”
A tiny sliver of hope bloomed inside my chest, but I didn’t acknowledge it. Not yet. Not until she said the words out loud.
“I won’t fight you for her. She belongs with you, Kate.”
That tiny bloom blossomed into something big and so powerful, it was difficult to contain. I wanted to jump, to scream, to cry.
“And we’re supposed to believe you’re walking away?” My sister’s tone was clipped, her every word coated in venom. “Just like that?”
“Well—”
“And there it fucking is.” Izzy threw her hands in the air.
“I’m not going to pursue the custody case,” Taelyn said quickly. “I wasn’t lying about that. I want…” She let out a long breath. “I was hoping you’d let me see her, spend some time with her. She’s the only part of Clara that’s left.”
Forwhat felt like the hundredth time in the past two days, my head spun. This was so…unexpected. She said all the right things, but this was Taelyn. It was difficult to believe she’d had such a sudden change of heart.
But then again, how was I to know it was sudden? We hadn’t heard from her in a few weeks. She could’ve been on a journey of self-discovery the entire time. Or maybe she and her husband realized they were trying to break up my family to build theirs.
What did it matter where it came from, a little voice inside my head said,as long as it was true.
“You’re serious?” As much as I tried, I couldn’t keep the hope out of my voice. “You’ll drop the custody thing?”
“It’s already done.” She smiled. It was sad. My heart broke a little for her. “You should receive word of it later today. It was a happy coincidence I spotted you here and got to deliver the news myself.”
I didn’t know what to say except, “Thank you.”
Another smile, another jerk of her chin then she was gone. Both Izzy and I stared until we couldn’t see her anymore before turning to each other.
“Wow,” I breathed out. “Did not see that coming.”
Izzy didn’t look as relieved as I was. “You believe her?”
The hope, the euphoria I’d felt mere moments ago slowly dissipated. “Why would she lie?”
“This is Taelyn we’re talking about, Katie. Why wouldn’t she lie?” My sister pulled her shoulders up in a shrug. “Maybe she’s trying to get you to let your guard down.” She leaned closer and lowered her voice. “Or get you to come clean about your sham of a marriage.”
“Iz.”
Holding up her hands, she straightened. “I know, I know. Feelings are involved now. Things aren’t fake. Whatever. I’m just saying, it didn’t start out that way, and if she knows that—”
“She’ll use it against me,” I finished for her.
“I’m not trying to bring you down; I want you to be vigilant.” Her gaze softened, filled with love and concern. “Especially with the whole poison thing still hanging over your head.”
“I know.” Pushing to my feet, I grabbed my purse. “I better get back.”
Izzy stood as well. “Same.” She wrapped her arms around me and held tight. “Be careful, okay?”
“I will.”
