Takingcare of an infant took considerable time.It didn’t, however, stop my mind from spinning.
My father was a manipulator.He’d had me followed and videoed, without my consent.That was disgusting—still another betrayal of the trust he’d shattered years before by keeping me from my dying mother.
I’ve should expected these power plays and lies, attempts to undermine me and my relationship with Luka because that gave my father the stronger position.One he’d use to get what he wanted.
Luka spent time with Bree the next day, but gave me the space I’d asked for, though I wasn’t entirely glad I had asked for it.But I let things lie.I was determined to have myself together, to find a rational headspace, before I dragged Luka into my drama again.
That afternoon, Cruz, Maxim, and Ida Jane came by.
“Mind if we go to the rink?”Luka asked.
I shook my head, not bothering to sit up from where I lay on the couch.I was tired and heartsick.“Enjoy.”
“Yeah.”He hesitated, then leaned down and kissed my temple.I wanted to snuggle in closer, wrap my arms around him, and hold on forever.Instead I tensed, waiting for the moment to end.
His lips brushed across my ear as he whispered, “I love you, Millie.You and Bree.”
I gave him a tiny smile, then sighed with relief when he grabbed his hockey sticks from the front closet and tromped out after Maxim and Cruz.
Ida Jane plopped into the oversized chair, her chin resting on the arm as she stared at me.
“So…”
“Trent told Luka I was also with him the night Luka and I hooked up.That Bree’s really his.”
Ida Jane’s eyebrows rose.“That was the day I got off work early so you could help me pick an outfit and we were together every minute until you dragged me to the party?”
“That’s the one.”
Bree cried, and I began to sit up.
“I’ll get her,” Ida Jane said as she hopped out of the chair.I heard her cooing at the baby and the rustle of the diaper change before Ida Jane brought my fussy daughter to me.She resumed her position in the chair as I settled Bree to nurse.
“She’s no more than a pawn in this sick game of money and power,” I said.
“So are you,” Ida Jane said.
“I’m not innocent.Not anymore.”
Ida Jane scoffed.“Why?Because over four years of your life you had ten lovers?Or because you didn’t like your dad’s choice for you and broke it off?Because you took control of your body and refused to let a man plan your future—trap you into a life you didn’t want?”
“Yes.”
We fell silent, and I flipped Bree to my other breast.
“Have you considered this from Luka’s perspective?”Ida Jane asked.
Bree and I flinched.“What?”
“Well, I mean, he lost his mom—I know she wasn’t his real mom, but the woman was a mom to him—then had to cut his real mom out of his life because she’s looking for dirt on you and him to sell back to Trent—”
“What?”I breathed.
“He didn’t tell you?”
I shook my head.Ida Jane took a deep breath.Then, good friend that she was, she grabbed me a bottle of water and chips and dished the details.
Bree stopped nursing, a drop of milk on her tiny rosebud lips as her face slackened into sleep.I cuddled her to my shoulder and patted her back, enjoying her weight and warmth against my skin.
