“That’s why you filed for divorce.” I leaned back against the booth.
“Correct. I saw a text message two months ago, and he didn’t know I saw it. So I went to see an attorney in the city, a real shark, and I’ll be taking your father to the bank.”
“Do you mean you’ll be taking him to the cleaners?” I asked, because I assumed she was going to try to hit him where it would hurt him most.
“Yes, of course. Taking him to the cleaners for everything I can, so to speak. Because money is actually the one thing he cares most about, aside from your eventing success—so I plan to take as much of that money as possible.” She smiled like this was the best day of her life.
I felt like I was living in the twilight zone.
“So you’re going to have a messy divorce, and Dad’s going to have a baby.” I shook my head with disbelief.
“You know, your father is a very flawed man. He’s had a couple of affairs over the years, as you were unfortunately exposed to.” She squeezed my hand after referencing one of the worst memories of my adolescence. “I can turn a cheek on some things, but now he’s having a child with his secretary? I’ve hit my breaking point. I’m done.”
“So you’re leaving?”
“No, sweetheart. As soon as this divorce is final, I’m going to build a beautiful home of my own on the river. I told him he can keep this home. I’m going to get a fresh start. But in the meantime, I’m going to go stay with Aunt Becky and spend some time with her because I don’t want to be here when everyonefinds out about Chrissy.” She shrugged, but it was very matter-of-fact. There was no emotion left in her.
“I get it. So will Chrissy be moving into this house?”
“I’m sure that’s the plan. I told him I’m leaving, so that’s up to him.” She sighed and reached for my hand again. “I’m sorry I’m leaving you, though. I would love if you came with me. You know how big Aunt Becky’s house is. You can recover there if you want?”
“I need to figure things out. I want to find Wrax. I’ve got a lot on my mind.”
“I know, sweetheart. I’m sorry. I feel like I’m abandoning you,” she said, and Caroline came over and set out salads down in front of us. “And I feel like I’m abandoning Caroline.”
Caroline chuckled. “Once you get that house built, you let me know. I’ll be coming over there with you.”
“Damn straight, you will,” Mom said. “But for now, you’ll be my eyes and ears at this place.”
“I’m not staying here if Chrissy moves in,” I added.
“I don’t blame you. And I told Dad to stop holding your trust fund over your head. He’ll back off soon. I think he actually feels bad that you’re so upset about Wrax.”
“How could he be surprised by this?” I shook my head.
“Because you’re not like anyone else, sweet Wren. You’ve got the biggest heart, and he’s never known what to do with that,” Caroline said, surprising me that she’d say that about my father.
But clearly, the gloves were off, and she and my mom had always been close.
“You are the most special girl, and you always have been.” Mom’s voice broke on a sob. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. I wanted your life to be perfect, but I know that’s just not realistic. And him selling Wrax without speaking to you about it—it’s just another example of how selfish he is.”
“Well, he’s always been ridiculously competitive. And I understand that he wants me to do what Granddad did all those years ago, but the sport has changed. And you don’t just sell someone’s horse that they’ve been competing with for years and expect them to move on. He’s clearly not in his right state of mind.” I threw my hands in the air as I sniffed a few times.
“I know your father dreams of you going to the Olympics, and if that’s what you want, Wren, then I support it. But these days, I just don’t know if it’s your dream or his dream. I haven’t been able to tell for several years, if I’m being honest.”
I don’t know, either.
“Well, the fact that I’m horseless makes it nobody’s dream.” I sighed. “And now you’re getting divorced.”
“Listen, I know Dad has Coach Sharky looking for a new horse for you. He’s under Dad’s thumb at this point, so I’m not sure you can trust him. But maybe he’ll tell you where Wrax is if you push him hard enough.” She added, “And as far as the divorce goes, it’s a long time coming. Unfortunately you got dragged into our mess years ago, and I know that it hurt you so much. I tried to move forward. I think we both did. But we’ve been living two different lives for a very long time now.”
My parents always came to competitions on their own. They liked to say that they preferred to divide and conquer, but ever since I was in high school, they’d stopped traveling together.
I covered my face with both hands and exhaled sharply. “How did everything get so messy?”
“I don’t know. But your life doesn’t need to be messy. Well, aside from your horse being gone and your body still recovering and you not having a clue what you want to do with your life right now—” She paused, and we all three erupted in laughter.
“Was this supposed to make me feel better?” I asked as Caroline grabbed the pasta and the bread and set them down before joining us.
