She didn’t give a verbal response, but her eyes held daggers as she gestured to the cameras.
I turned, posed, and smiled like I had been taught to do sincethe time I learned to walk. My dad squeezed my shoulder, but somehow it felt different from Mom’s.
Mom earned one point for my appearance and cameras, but I’m saying I get a point for talking back to her, when I was terrified.
“I can’t believe my baby is back to stay!” Mom glowed for the cameras.
Chapter Thirty-Three
FAITH
After the cameras, we sat in the limo and headed to Stern House.
“It’s so good to see you, Astrid.” Dad smiled at me.
“One heart attack and you think you’re dying.” Mom rolled her eyes.
“Wait, what?” I studied Dad.
Dad’s eyebrows furrowed. “Didn’t you know?” He looked at Mom. “You said you told her.”
I blinked, trying to absorb the information.
“I told you I called her, and I did, and she said not to call back.”
“Wait.” My forehead creased. “When did it happen?”
“Just before Thanksgiving,” Dad replied.
My mind searched back to before Thanksgiving, the first time I heard my mother’s voice, and I wondered if it had been sad.
“Wait…that’s why you called?” I glared at Mom.
Mom glared. “Yes and then you asked me not to call you.”
“You called and told me to stop being ridiculous and to come home to the family business. You said I was dramatic and you wereembarrassed of me.” I held out my hand palm up. “You didn’t say anything about Dad having a heart attack.”
“It’s okay, Astrid, you’re here now.” Dad shrugged. “Was just a little scare.”
“Little?” Mom rolled her eyes. “Please, you were in the emergency room and ICU for days. We barely kept it out of the papers.”
My eyes shot to him. Maybe that was why he looked so much older. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me.” I looked between them on the opposite side of the limo.
Mom scoffed. “You made it obvious you wanted nothing to do with us.” Mom’s shoulders were stiff and straight.
“That isn’t completely true.” It wasn’t false either though. I had avoided any interaction. I rubbed my forehead.
The car pulled into the large bricked circular driveway in front of an ostentatious house, with large white columns, grand entry steps, and gold door frames. We walked through the entryway and into the living room.
“You’re right, I should have communicated more with you both.” I studied the floral pattern on the Victorian chair as I sat. “I think I was worried the only thing you would want to talk about was Luxe and make me feel guilty.” I raised my right shoulder.
“Never mind, and now that you’re here, there are a lot of business affairs to catch up on.” Mom crossed her bronzed legs.
I spun my ring and took a deep breath as I looked at the coffee table.
Suck in your screams.
“I never meant to separate myself from you both.” My eyes flicked between them. “I, however, intended to separate myself from the business.” I flexed my jaw and cleared my throat. “It’s not who I am. I tried to force myself to be that person, and I was miserable.” I closed my eyes. “I’m introverted. I enjoy bubble baths, reading, and cooking. I love quiet nights at home and hate crowds and publicity. I don’t want it.”
