I cross the room, open the closet, and pull one of the smaller suitcases from the shelf. It lands softly on the floor.
Then I begin filling it with clothes.
Chapter 15
Mommy's friend
Colin
It’s just past noon when I reach for my phone on my desk. I should start wrapping things up and head home soon.
Ceci and the kids will love the surprise.
A smile starts to form when I see her name on the screen. It vanishes the moment I read the text.
Ceci:Taking Ethan and Alicia to the Hamptons. We’ll be back Monday.
I read it again. Then once more.
The words refuse to settle, like they’ve been arranged incorrectly.
She wouldn’t do this impulsively. Not without a plan. Not without telling me first.
We talked about it yesterday. I was clear, as soon as my schedule opened up, we’d go. Together.
My jaw tightens as the implication lands, this wasn’t spontaneous.
It was a decision made without me.
“Even my mom noticed there’s something off between you and Ethan. You barely interacted during dinner.”
We’re getting ready for bed. I’d been counting on a peaceful night, on the simple comfort of having her in my arms. She let me make love to her yesterday, the first time all week, after she finally stopped freezing me out.
Ellen, Ceci’s mother, is everything a mother should be: caring, loving, attentive, and stern when she needs to be. I like her. I respect her.
But I won’t let her dictate how I raise my children.
“I hope you told her that’s between me and Ethan,” I say flatly, watching Ceci’s back for any reaction.
She’s standing in front of the bathroom mirror, finishing her skincare routine. “My mom has a nose for trouble,” she says, her shoulders slumping. “I didn’t need to tell her anything.” She hesitates, then adds, “I want to take them to the Hamptonstomorrow. We could come back Sunday night… or even earlier.”
I shake my head. “I have extremely important contracts to review tomorrow. I can’t.”
This time, she doesn’t bother hiding her disappointment. “And you can’t take them with you and review them there? Or something?”
I pinch the bridge of my nose. “No, Ceci. You know I deal with sensitive, confidential information. The kind that could ruin fortunes if it fell into the wrong hands.”
“And what about your absence ruining your relationship with Ethan?”
The words cut deeper than I expect.
“Colin,” she continues softly, “this is his last year at home. Once he goes to college, the distance will only grow.”
She places her hand on my chest. I see it all in her eyes—the hurt, the fear, the faint, stubborn hope.
I need to take care of these contracts tomorrow. I can figure something out after.
Before I can say anything, she must read the refusal already set in my expression. Her hand slips from my chest. Head bowed, she turns and walks back into the bedroom.
