“No, no. He didn’t do this.” Brooke shakes her head before she looks to me. “He told the officer on scene that he figures it was a break-in gone wrong. They thought the house was empty and Mom was in the wrong place at the wrong time. That’s all that happened. There’s no way my dad could’ve done this to her. I should’ve been there.”
I know that feeling. I’m still trying to deal with it. “It’s not your fault.”
She pulls the collar of her T-shirt to her face, wiping at her eyes.
“Brooke, you need to—” My attempt to reason with her is cut short as she starts rambling.
“Just let her wake up; I’ll deal with it then. If she doesn’t want to leave him, there’s nothing I can do. I’ve already begged her to a million times, and she won’t.”
“Then she can stay, but you won’t,” a voice booms from the doorway. It’s Micah and he’s pissed as he shouts, “You fucking lied to me.”
She turns her back to him as she says, “It’s not any of your business. You can leave now.”
Micah scans the room, eyeballing me before he glares at Luca. “Did you know he beat them?”
“No,” he replies. I feel horrible because I did and didn’t do a damn thing about it.
Micah steps in front of Brooke. “He won’t ever again,” then turns and walks out.
Brooke yells to Luca, “Stop him.”
Luca doesn’t move. “I can’t. Whatever he’s decided, it’s up to him.”
Unfortunately, I believe him. Once the Montclair twins get something in their mind, there’s no changing it. And I have a feeling he’s just like his brother; he’s out for blood regardless of the consequences.
75
IVY
“I’ll meet you at your house later,” I tell him as he keeps a hold on me. Eventually, he lets my hand go as I get out of the car.
He does the same as he stays against the driver’s door. “You promised me.”
Going back to him, I give him a quick kiss. “And I’m keeping the promise.”
I’m inside my house long enough to grab my key fob then head to Uncle Shawn’s place. After being at the hospital, I can’t stop thinking about my mom. I just need to speak with my grandma and see if I can make sense of what she said.
Aunt Kathleen meets me at the door, her smile warm as she pulls me into a snug embrace. “Such a treat! Your uncle will be envious that I got another visit while he’s away on business.”
I’m purposely here because I know he isn’t. But I don’t want to say that, so I smile and follow her to the kitchen. She pours us both a glass of lemonade. While I sip my beverage and listen to her, my thoughts are on how I’m going to slip away without her seeing. The last time I stopped by they were still adamant on me not being around Grandma.
“Ivy, is there something wrong?”
“My friend’s mom is in the hospital. It just brought up some things about Mom,” I admit truthfully.
She places her hand over mine. “I understand. Your uncle left some photo albums and a few home movies for you. He finally found what he was searching for. Maybe it’ll help you feel closer to your mom.”
I hope so, because I’ve never felt so distant from her as I do now. As soon as my aunt exits the kitchen, I’m on my feet and heading through the house. Once I reach Grandma’s room, I find her sitting in a chair facing the window. She notices me, glancing my way for a few seconds before staring back out the window.
At least she’s not screaming at me this time. Maybe she really did need her medication adjusted and the episode she had last time was a fluke, right? She doesn’t blame me for killing Mom too. Does she?
“Hey, Grandma.”
“Don’t call me that. I’m not your grandmother,” she states flatly.
“I’m sorry.” I move closer and drop on the edge of her bed. “I blame myself too.”
Grandma gapes at me. “She’s not your mother. She was my daughter, and you and that bastard took her from me.”
