Setting my wineglass down, I slip on my heels, and grab my purse from the counter, which puts me close enough to the bedroom door to hear everything they’re saying.
Joy of joys.
“What do you expect me to do, Deirdre?” Eddie asks, his voice rough with frustration. “She was really upset.”
“Not my problem,” Deirdre snaps. “We had an agreement. You are not to bring Theo around her.”
God no. Not him, too.
Oh, the hatred is nothing new. I’ve heard some version of it from half this town by now. But I love that little boy, and the thought of him being yanked out of my life is more than I can bear tonight.
But just before I can escape, the bedroom door flies open, and Deirdre emerges, her hand wrapped around Theo’s wrist.
“We’re leaving.”
This is my chance. Maybe my only one.
I step forward, gingerly lifting my hands. “Deirdre, wait. I’m sorry. This is all my fault. I barged in on dinner, totally uninvited. I was having a really bad day, and I thought—” My voice catches, but I force through it. “I thought if I saw them for a few minutes, I’d feel better. But I had no right to show up like this, and I’m leaving now.”
“No,” Eddie cuts in, his boots heavy against the wood floor as he returns to the living room. “Don’t do that. I asked you to come here.”
My gaze flies to him, a mixture of shock and horror.
Why would you admit that? Let me take the blame. I’m used to it by now. Otherwise, we both know how this ends.
Eddie’s expression hardens as he looks at his ex. “You’re being ridiculous.”
“Please don’t fight. I’m going. Let him stay.” Apparently, humiliation is a bottomless well because I’m still drawing from it.
Deirdre finally turns and looks at me.Reallylooks at me, but there’s not a hint of uncertainty in her face. Only fury.
“This doesn’t concern you,” she snaps. “I don’t care where you go or what you do. I care aboutmyfamily, andyouare not part of it. You willneverbe a part of it.”
A tear slips free before I can stop it. I swipe it away fast, but not before she sees. If anything, it only hardens her further.
Theo’s eyes are wide, confusion written across his face.He’s only six, but even he understands the basics: his mother is furious, his parents are fighting, and I’m at the center of it all. “Mom?—”
She points at Eddie. “You can pick him up tomorrow.”
“Deirdre—”
“No.” Her voice is low but deadly. “Donottry me.” She turns to Theo. “Get your backpack and say goodbye to your father.”
Theo’s eyes fill, but he doesn’t fight her. He knows it’s a losing battle. He trudges to his backpack and then returns, wrapping his arms around Eddie’s waist.
“It’s okay, buddy,” Eddie murmurs, smoothing a hand over his hair. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Then Theo pivots in my direction, raising his hand. “Goodbye, Ms. Kiki.”
I wave and force a smile, as my heart shatters in my chest.
And then, they’re gone, leaving the apartment painfully quiet the moment the door closes behind them.
“Fucking hell,” Eddie grunts. He stalks to the cabinet and pulls out a bottle of whiskey, taking a long swallow from it. “The woman is out of her damn mind.”
There’s no point pretending now. Not when we both watched everything unravel in real time.
I sniffle and back toward the door, hooking my purse over my shoulder. “I’m so sorry. Let me get out of here. I’ve ruined things enough already.”
