He groaned. “They finally went up to their room about twenty minutes ago. I had people babysitting them while they ate breakfast. We told them they weren’t allowed down to Connor’s for at least an hour. It’s been longer than that now, so all bets are off, unfortunately.”
“That’s okay. I’m going up to their room to talk to them,” she said with a grin.
“Lex, come on. Why would you do that to yourself?”
“Because I’m done with them messing with our lives. Something terrible could have happened to Annabeth today, and they need to realize that their words and their actions have consequences. What room are they in?”
“Lexi…”
“If you don’t tell me, I can just as easily go over to the front desk and ask.”
He stared hard at her for several long moments before he caved. “Fine. They’re in room 543. Keep your phone handy. I’ll stand down here and watch the elevators in case you miss them.”
She hugged him. “Thanks, Walker!”
The ride up to the fifth floor had her practically bouncing on her toes, but she’d waited over fifteen years to get these words off of her chest, and she was finally going to say them today!
“Finally,” she murmured as the doors slid open. Storming off the elevator, she made her way down the hall, and at room 543, she paused and let out a long breath. “Let’s do this.”
Knocking loudly, Lexi stood tall and couldn’t wait to unleash on Mr. and Mrs. Snooty. She hoped she shocked the smiles right off their stupid, snooty, smug faces.
But it wasn’t a smug face that opened the door, but a…crying one.
What the…?
Mrs. Winslowe stood there with tears coming down her face, but Lexi didn’t trust her for one minute. This was probably just an act she had prepared for whoever came to see her so she could garner sympathy.
“Lexi?” she said, wiping at her tears. “What can we do for you?”
Don’t be fooled. They’re not to be trusted.
“May I come in?”
Stepping aside, Mrs. Winslowe motioned for her to come in. Lexi spotted her husband sitting on one of the upholstered chairs looking equally miserable.
Stay strong…
“Did Connor send you up here?” Mr. Winslowe asked, his voice oddly hopeful.
“Um, no. Sorry. This was my idea to come up and speak to you both,” she began, proud of herself for her steady voice.
Mrs. Winslowe quietly sat in the other upholstered chair and looked…yup. Still devastated.
“Fifteen years ago, you made Connor break up with me because you deemed me unfit for your family.”
No reaction.
“You pushed your son into a loveless marriage to a woman you both thought was appropriate, and yet, it all ended not only in a divorce, but with a mother abandoning her child.”
There were some sniffles, but still no major reaction.
“By some stroke of luck, Connor and I have reconnected and realized we’re still in love with each other. I adore Annabeth, and Connor feels the same about my son. We were so happy until the two of you showed up yesterday and proved that you haven’t changed. You’re still unforgiving snobs.”
“Lexi,” Mrs. Winslowe demurely began, but Lexi wasn’t going to allow her to interrupt.
“Do you have any idea of the havoc you caused? First between myself and Connor and then with your granddaughter? Do you realize what could have happened this morning?” she demanded loudly. “Thank God Annabeth’s okay, but that’s no thanks to the two of you! You show up here and totally disregard everything that Connor asked of you! And not only that, but you did also it in front of his child. You should be ashamed of yourselves!”
Mrs. Winslowe broke into tears, with her husband quickly rushing to comfort her.
