“Is everything all right?” Althea inquires, her head tilting as she takes me in.
“Of course,” I force a smile onto my lips. “I just didn’t know that about Charlotte being adopted or whatever she was. Therewas no mention of a mother in her history.” Or an adoption. “It’s interesting to learn more about her past.”
“Just ask her, Bellamy,” she says, clearly reading my unease. “I’m sure there’s a reasonable explanation, and either way, her history is clean and she’s the head of the royal guard’s daughter. If ever there is someone who has the children’s best interest and safety in mind?—”
“It’s her,” I finish, relaxing a bit. “You’re right. I’m just being…hyperemotional.” I sigh. Maybe that’s what I’ve been doing. Reading into things that aren’t there. Maybe it’s hormones or still residual grief over losing my dad or who knows what.
Things with me and Sebastian are settling back into a groove and so far Charlotte has been amazing with the kids. And besides, if we’re going on family histories, mine was a bit of a hot mess, so really, what does it matter?
“Now, let’s move into our final relaxation pose.”
We finish yoga but as I head upstairs to shower I run into Charlotte standing outside Sebastian’s study with her ear practically pressed against the wood.
“Charlotte?”
She starts, grabbing her chest. “Ah! You scared me.”
“Sorry. What are you doing outside Sebastian’s study?” With your ear pressed to the door, I don’t add.
“I was coming to look for him. I had a question, but I thought I heard voices inside and I didn’t want to interrupt him.”
“Oh. Okay.” I suppose that makes sense since I can hear Sebastian and Rowan inside talking, their voices muffled. “Is it something I can help you with?”
She waves me off. “No. It’s nothing important. How was yoga?” she asks, falling in beside me as I head toward the bedrooms.
“It was nice, thank you.” I hesitate, wondering how tophrase this. “Althea mentioned your father was never married. I didn’t know this.”
Her head tilts in my direction, but her gaze is cast toward the floor. “Yes. He’s gay, but never found a husband.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. His duties must keep him very busy.”
“They do. But you’re likely wondering how I came to be.”
I shrug sheepishly. “A little, yeah.”
“It’s fine. It’s just not something I speak of often. My mother abandoned me when I was a young girl. She left me on his doorstep, and he took me in and raised me as his own.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry. That must have been awful for you.” And now I feel like a heel for bringing it up.
“It was a long time ago. My mother wasn’t a happy person. She had a lot of emotional issues, and I don’t think she was suited to raising a child. I’m grateful she cared enough to leave me with a good man. My father did an excellent job, and actually, her abandoning me is what has driven me to want to dedicate my life to helping children.”
I squeeze her arm. “That’s incredible of you. And incredible of your father. Truly, you both have hearts of gold.”
“Thank you,” she says, her smile lighting up her gray eyes. “I’m going to go find the children unless you need anything else.”
“No, go ahead. I’ll join you after I shower.”
“Sounds good.”
She heads in the direction of the playroom, and I enter my bedroom, stripping out of my sweaty yoga stuff. Things are going to start looking up. I just know it.
27
SEBASTIAN
Idon’t know how to shake it. It’s as if I awoke from a nightmare only to reenter one. I felt some of it when her father died, and she sank into a grief-induced depression. The guilt. The nagging feeling that the angel of death and despair that seeks out my family wasn’t quite done with us. That I was the one who brought her down on Bellamy’s father.
But from the moment I found Bellamy on the floor of the kitchen three weeks ago, I don’t know how to look at my wife without thinking that I knowingly put her life in danger. I brought her into something I can’t get her out of.
