My breath catches in my throat, but I have to ask, “Did you know?”
He shakes his head, blond hair swishing. “I had no idea, I swear.”
And we both turn our heads to Richard Loveless, who is holding the DNA results up while reporters snap pictures and ask questions.
Then they turn to us.
“Let’s get out of here.” I grab my–mybrother’swrist and drag him to the elevator, Hayden and Priscilla following close behind, Ren holding Mother’s hand as he leads her to us.
I pressthe close button until the doors firmly shut out the chaos ringing out, and we all stand in stunned silence as we go down, down, down.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Hayden
Darcy paces outside of the conference room we normally use for campaign meetings here inside the estate. He runs his fingers through his hair before shoving his hands into his pockets, repeating the pattern over and over as his brown loafers shuffle against the wooden floor.
“Darcy,” I say gently. He doesn’t respond, so I stand and wait for him to think through whatever is running around his mind. After we made it outside of the Tower, Marcus and Darcy made plans to meet here later tonight after Marcus went home to talk to his mother. My heart breaks for everyone involved, especially my husband. We are one month out from the election, so he doesn’t have the time to sit with this news and figure out the best way to navigate it. Time evades us, and we have to work through this and generate a statement by morning, or rumors will spread and spiral through the tabloids.
They already are.
“I have a brother,” Darcy states, coming to an abrupt stop in front of me, eyes blank. “I lost a sister, and I have a brother.” His voice is calm, factual.
Yeah, he hasn’t processed this yet.
Continuing, “My father slept with Loveless’s wife. He cheated on my mom before Ophelia died. We knew about his affairs after her death, but this?”
I search for words, knowing none could even begin to balm the hurt and confusion he’s experiencing. But sometimes words are useless things. I wrap him in my arms, even though he doesn’t return the hug.
Squeezing tighter and pressing my cheek against his chest, I say a silent prayer that the Lord will help him navigate this because I, quite frankly, don’t know what to do other than be present.
As I end my unspoken prayer, Darcy crumbles.
His large body shakes with sobs as he crushes me in a hug that signals he’s using me as his lifeline right now. I spread my legs to balance myself against the fullness of his weight, tightening my grip around his hunched back.
“I–I hate him,” Darcy says between hitches in his breathing. “How dare he not tell me about my brother!”
I cling tighter to my husband as liquid soaks my black dress. My heart fractures for him, and if I could resurrect his father from the grave just to have unkind words with him, I would in the blink of an eye.
“Darcy.” Ruth’s voice sounds from behind us, and I feel Darcy’s head lift from my shoulder.
He breaks free from my hold and folds into her arms as they cry together, the fractals of my heart breaking down even further.
I maneuver around them and walk down the hallway, around the corner, until I’m at the winding stairs. As I descend to the first floor, Darcy’s cries haunt me, and I wish I could do something to ease his pain. But I know he needs to talk to his mom right now, and I should be downstairs to greet Marcus when he arrives.
As I wait, my mind whirs.
Darcy has a brother. I have a brother-in-law. Darcy’s dad is dead. I have no idea who my father is or if he’s even alive. Darcy’s mom just had her life overhauled. I have no idea who my mother is, but I know she abandoned me. Darcy grew up in a controlled, pressured environment. I grew up as a floater with no one to hold me accountable, for the most part.
We are so different, yet we are the same.
And sometimes I think to myself that maybe it’s a good thing I don’t have parents to cut me and carve me up the way Darcy’s father has done to him.
The door opens, and Marcus walks in, hand-in-hand with Priscilla. For the first time, I remember she’s Darcy’s ex. And now she’s with his brother.
Maybe it’s a good thing I don’t have siblings, too.
I smile. “Hi, guys. Darcy’s upstairs with Ruth. I can bring you to meet him after I make sure he’s ready.” I turn to go back up the stairs, but I pause and look back. “Priscilla, it might be best to let the guys talk alone.”
