And just like that, we were back to hating one another.
four
. . .
Wren
It had been a long week,and I was exhausted.
When I walked in the front door, Caroline was in the kitchen cooking, and my stomach growled at the smell of garlic and tomato sauce. She’d been working for our family since I was young, and she lived in the guesthouse on our property. She’d been our nanny as well, since my parents traveled often when I was growing up.
Douglas also lived on the property, in the casita off the pool. He’d been my father’s driver for as long as I could remember.
But it was quieter tonight when I stepped inside.
Three large suitcases sat by the front door, which had alarm bells going off.
My parents didn’t appear to be speaking, and I’d learned that they were filing for divorce in “The Taylor Tea.”
My father had been staying at his apartment in the city. I’d barely spoken to him, aside from the hysterical phone call he’d received from me after he sold Wrax. When I arrived home over a week ago, he’d made no apologies and told me that I would get over it, and then he’d stormed out of the house. I hadn’t seen him since.
My mother, on the other hand, had been furious at my father for selling my horse, although she’d failed to mention that she’d filed for divorce until I’d confronted her.
My mother was sitting at the banquette in the kitchen chatting with Caroline as she cooked.
“Hey, Mom,” I said, setting my bag on the counter. “Are you all right?”
She nodded slowly. “Yes, I’m great. Why do you ask?”
Because there are multiple suitcases at the door and you’ve filed for divorce?
Seemed obvious to me, but apparently not.
I leaned over and gave her a hug before making my way over to Caroline to give her a hug. She was very much a part of the family.
I slid into the banquette beside my mother. “I saw the suitcases by the door. Are you going somewhere?”
“I’m going to visit Aunt Becky for a little bit,” she said. She and her sister were very close, but I was caught off guard because this was coming out of left field. I’d just gotten here.
“Is the cancer back?” I asked, because my aunt had been in remission for several years.
“No. But the cancer in this house, a.k.a. your father, is more than I can handle.” She shrugged before sipping her martini and letting out a long breath. “I told you that I filed for divorce.”
“Well, yes. After it was written up in the newspaper and I asked you about it.” I snorted, and Caroline chuckled from where she stood at the stove.
“It’s complicated, Wren, and with your training and then your accident, and then Dad selling Wrax—I haven’t wanted to burden you.”
“Consider me burdened.” I blew out a breath. “Please tell me what’s going on.”
“Well, aside from your father losing his mind?”
“Obviously,” I said.
She took my hand in hers, and my stomach sank. “Chrissy is pregnant. Dad is having a baby with his mistress.”
What. The. Hell.
Just when I thought things couldn’t get worse.
