Years of therapeutic training kicked in. Defuse the anger and recenter the conversation. “Let’s calm down. We can sit and—”
Jeremy shook his head. “What are you doing here?”
Hanna looked horrified at his tone. “Jeremy.”
His gaze traveled around the room. From the boxes to the wine bottle. A dangerous mix of confusion and anger thrummed off him. From a few feet away I could see his hands shake. The Xavier news had him reeling.
He turned on his mom. “You kept calling. I thought you were hurt or sick or something.”
The pleading in his voice had Hanna rushing to his side. She set her glass down and dodged around the coffee table. For every step forward she took, he took one step back.
She finally came to a halt with her hands in the air as she surrendered the high ground. “I’m sorry.”
“I wanted to make sure you were okay.” He visibly swallowed. “I never expected... I can’t... What you two were saying can’t be true.”
“I should go.” I stood up, debating whether my presence was helping or causing the unraveling to pick up speed.
“Why?” Jeremy made a sound as if lost in the space between anger and confusion. “You already know more than I do.”
The pain winding through his voice drowned out the fury. I felt sick for him. For both of them. “That’s not true.”
“The meeting today.” Hanna started talking. She hadn’t moved but she spouted off the damning information without hiding behind excuses. “It was with Xavier’s lawyer. About the distribution of his assets, which impacts you.” She nodded to the chair across from the L-shaped sectional. “Please sit down.”
Tension bounced around the room with the energy of a projectile. The toxic energy held Jeremy stiff and unyielding. “Not until you tell me the truth.”
“She’s trying,” I said.
His gaze shifted to me. “I heard what you said. About Xavier.” Before I could come up with a response he shifted his fire back at his mom. “You told me that my father was a guy you met incollege. Someone you didn’t know well. You never saw him again, but you wanted me so you didn’t end the pregnancy. You insisted you had no regrets.”
“I don’t.” Hanna reached for him but pulled back at the last second. “Honey, you are the best decision I ever made.”
“No. Don’t do that. Tell me the truth.” He folded his arms in front of him. Shook his head. He’d mentally closed down even as he demanded more information.
Every counseling tool and strategy rolled through my mind. But I wasn’t on my turf. I didn’t have control of the room or the trust of the participants. Every word that floated into my head sounded harsh and judgmental. I couldn’t find the right sentence, the right sentiment, to make this moment tolerable.
Hanna didn’t wait for help. “Xavier Tanner is your father.”
The truth sounded so much worse when she said it out loud. She’d been a kid. Technically an adult, sure, but barely. Xavier had been this looming presence. This millionaire who used the power of his reputation and withering threats with equal precision. He collected information about people. He used it to box them in and make them jump to do his bidding.
“Did he force you?” Jeremy asked.
That tone. So raw and lost. So devastated. It mirrored the expression on Hanna’s face. This wasn’t my family. Not really. Not my problem. Not my clients. But still.
“Honey, no.” This time Hanna touched him. She gently laid her hands on his forearms. Careful yet clear. “I was young and starstruck. He was charming and attentive. At least at first.”
Jeremy looked at his mom’s hands but didn’t push her away. “Everyone says he was an asshole.”
Confirmation that Jeremy and Xavier never had a relationship. So many questions rushed into my mind. I buried them... for now.
Hanna stood there with her chest rising and falling on harsh breaths. “He turned out to be, but the sex when I got pregnant with you was consensual. I promise.”
Shit. That wording. What had he done to her?
“I didn’t see who he really was at first. I’d heard the rumors but was blindsided by his words and gestures.” Hanna sighed. “I know it sounds lame, but he took me out. We went to nice places. Not in town, but away. On these trips. I laughed and saw new things. I got a peek into this grand life that was so different from my own.”
Jeremy frowned. “So, it was about the money?”
“Not really. I’d just lost my mom and looking back I think I was desperate for a connection. He listened to me and didn’t judge.” Hanna looked like she was searching for the right words to explain. “I felt special. Like I understood him when no one else did.”
