“I can’t tell you how to live your life. But I’ll be there with a fire extinguisher to put out the flames and to help you escape if you decide you’ve had enough.”
I throw my arms around her in a tight hug. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, babe.”
Though the likelihood of Art and me finding our happy place is slim, I’m not ready to give up.
The scene before me is so damn domestic. Cin prepares breakfast while the boys and I sit at the island bar. They play with action figures to keep themselves entertained until we’re served. Cin moves around my kitchen, humming and dancing. The sight is lovely. I doubt she even realizes what she’s doing. Cin is passionate about cooking, so she’s in her zone. She and Sebastian stayed the night. We still pretend to sleep in separate bedrooms in the best interest of the boys. Her movements cease and a pretty pink blush covers her delicate features when she catches me staring.
“Don’t stop on my account.”
The doorbell rings. Who the hell could be visiting this early on a Sunday morning? Marisa and Heather—Mason’s nanny—are off today.
“I’ll be right back,” I say, leaving the kitchen.
It has to be Josh or my grandfather. No one else would be bold enough to stop by unannounced. Only three other people have the code to the gate, and one is here with me. There’s not a lot of shit on this earth that can shock me, but I’m momentarily speechless by who I find waiting on my doorstep. I never thought I’d lay my eyes on her again. The audacity of this bitch to show herself after being MIA for so long is astounding.
“What the fuck are you doing here?”
“Hi, Art, it’s so good to see you,” my mother says. “Can I come in?”
She hasn’t aged, still beautiful as ever—the perfect Barbie doll. Everything about my mother sickens me, from her perfectly styled hair to her designer clothes, shoes, and accessories.
“How did you get the code to the gate?”
“Your grandfather gave it to me.”
Fucking asshole.The code will be changed, and he will not be privy to it. “You are not welcome here.”
“Please, I want to see Mason.”
“I will never allow you near him.”
“You can’t keep me from him. I’m his mother and have a right to see him.”
“You gave up your parental rights when you abandoned him three years ago.”
“I made a terrible—”
“Spare me your goddamn excuses.”
“During that time, I was taking anti-depressants, and felt it was best to leave him with you.”
“You’ve failed all of your sons.”
“I tried my best to be a good mother.”
“If that was you at your best, I’d hate to see you at your worst. You don’t have a maternal bone in your body.”
“I’ll file a petition for visitation.”
“My lawyers will bury you in a court battle. Try your hand if you think you have a chance at winning, but understand I’ll kill you before I let you hurt him.” I slam the door in her face.
Going back to the kitchen is not an option in my current state, so I head to the gym instead. It’s my duty to protect them, even from me. They’re the most important people in my life.
Where the hell is he? I went to his office, then the bedroom, but he’s nowhere to be found. His breakfast is getting cold. I head towards the gym next. There I find him, beating the shit out of a poor punching bag.
“Art?”
