What could possibly convince Felix James, with his double standards, to keep his unfaithful wife around? Then it hit me before she could say more. He didn’t want to lose his big business deal with her father.
My mother stood, stepped to the window, and peered outside. “He and I made an agreement. We both needed to remain married, him for business reasons and me for money. Add to that, he’s the type of man who feels deeply ashamed of his inability to produce an heir.”
That phrase produce an heir was so cold but entirely fitting. For a man with the emotional capacity of a dead possum, fatherhood could only be about carrying on the family name.
“He swore me to secrecy regarding your paternity,” she continued, “and with foolish optimism, back then I thought a child ought to have a father figure. I hoped Felix could be one. Maybe not a great one, but I never realized how awful he would be.” She turned to face me. “I now understand that having no father can be better than having a bad father. But I was in a tricky position. If I left the marriage, not only would I lose the financial benefits of a wealthy husband, but my father would write me off as well. I had no job history or skills, and I’m not proud to admit I really didn’t want to work a nine-to-five job anyway. I liked having money. Felix knew that and agreed, if I kept his dirty little sterility secret, to let me spend generously.”
Knowing this woman the way I did, that rang true. I didn’t know her from Eve now, but back then, that had to be a dream deal for her—except for having to stay married to a controlling jerk.
“So eighteen years ago, what changed to make you leave?” I asked.
“Two things. One, I hated him so much. It grew with every day I stayed. He flaunted his control over me like a damn peacock. He’s driven by power, and while he still reported to my father at work, in our home, he saw himself as a king.”
I wrinkled my nose, knowing that was true.
“Two, I was in love with another man.”
Ah. That was probably the only thing that would compel her to leave. She’d gone from one man to the next, incapable of being on her own. “Did my fath—Felix know about the other man?”
She shook her head vehemently. “He never found out about Franklin. He wouldn’t have agreed to anything if he had. Franklin and I had thirteen wonderful years before he passed away.” Pausing, she seemed to reel her emotions in.
“Why didn’t you take me with you?” I asked. It was a toss-up whether I would’ve been better off with her, but I’d always wondered how a mother could desert her only child.
“Felix wouldn’t allow it. I believe he thought I wouldn’t go without you.”
Without the Franklin element, I didn’t think she’d have the courage to leave either. I didn’t see her as the type who could forge her own path, even with a healthy bank account.
“Let me guess,” I said, my brain spinning, figuring so many things out, questioning just as many others. “He made you swear not to tell me the truth about my paternity.”
“You guessed it. That would’ve taken away his power over you. Our agreement stipulated that I wasn’t allowed to be in contact with you at all.”
I nodded, pressing my lips together. What a pathetic man he was. Pathetic human. Insecure, selfish, weak. “So why now?”
My mother returned to her chair, looking even paler if that was possible. “Could I bother you for some water?”
I got up and grabbed a bottle from the fridge, absorbed in my thoughts. Handing it to her, I sat back down and waited for her to unscrew the lid, which she struggled with, and take a drink.
Finally she said, “Two weeks ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer.”
Sympathy tugged at me even though our history was an ugly mess. I might not like her, but I didn’t want her to suffer.
“Magnolia, you may or may not believe me, but all these years, I’ve felt terrible for leaving you with that man, for bending to his demands in every way, allowing you to think he was your father. That’s not fair to you, and it’s eaten away at me.”
I eyed her skeptically, biting down on questions.
“Getting a cancer diagnosis…” She closed her eyes and shook her head, looking downright ashen. “It changes your perspective in a heartbeat.”
“I imagine it does. What is your prognosis?”
“I have procedures and appointments next week where I’ll find out more,” she said, “but regardless of what happens with my health, I decided I couldn’t continue to hide the truth from you. What you do with it is up to you. If you choose to go public with it or confront Felix, you have my blessing. It’s your truth to do what you need to with it.”
“What happens if you break your agreement?”
“I’m prepared to take the stand I should’ve taken years ago.”
“He’ll cut off your money.”
“Yes. I’m expecting that. Franklin left me everything he had, which wasn’t insignificant, so I’ll be okay.” She took a long drink, then continued, “I’m ready to go on the offensive. I’m going to file for divorce and tell my father everything. The paternity in particular. He could choose to pressure the board of directors to change the bylaws, or Felix could lose his position as next in line for the CEO position.”
