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I finally choose to sit on the ottoman between the chair and the sofa. She has my full attention, and that must be too much, because she looks everywhere except at me. I pre-occupy myself with pouring some tea.

“I’d like Jonathan to stay with us over winter break. To have Christmas with us.”

I spill water all over the saucer and the tea tray. I set down the pot before I scald myself.

“Wha- what?” I must’ve heard her wrong.

“It’s time he put this silliness behind him and spend time with his family. His entire family, in his home. No more of these clandestine meetings at basketball games, or at restaurants halfway between Hollis and Penn State. It’s time he comes home.”

I’m stunned silent. There’s an ember burning its way through my chest. “Your husband tried to kill your son. And you think that a few years apart is going to heal that?”

Samantha shakes her head with a heavy sigh, like she feels sorry for me. “That’s not what happened.”

My eyes widen.

“Listen, Sadie. I’m trying to be patient, but this is honestly none of your business. This is a family matter.” She eyes my ring. “And that won’t make you family. Jonathan needs to come home and be with the people who’ve loved and cared for him his entire life. His father has to prepare him to take over the family business. It’s time.”

“It’s time? You keep saying that like getting over years of abuse and almost dying is decided because of a date you circled on the calendar. Trauma doesn’t take a day off. Or disappear with a flip of the year. He isn’t a holiday. He’s a human being. He’s your son.”

“I always heard you were a ridiculous, idealistic girl. I’d excuse it away as immaturity. But you really have no idea about the ways of the world, do you?”

She doesn’t wait for a reply.

“Jonathan is Hal’s son. And the sooner he learns to respect his father, the better. It will make the transition smoother. And Hal and I can continue on with our lives as planned.”

Continue? Transition? I don’t know which part I’m getting hung up on. Maybe the part that sounds like she knew this was happening. That Hal has been harming Jonathan, and now Ryan, and she’s done nothing to prevent it.

“What about Ryan? Is he part of you continuing on?”

“It’ll take a few years for Jonathan to take over. Ryan will be in college by then.”

“And what about the next three years? Are you going to continue to let your husband beat on your sons?” My words are fueled by the fire erupting inside of me. “Oh, wait. As long as they don’t get in the way of you and Hal being together, right?”

She laughs like I’m a pitiful child. “You don’t understand love. You think you do, but you have no idea. I stayed in this pathetic town for Hal, because I love him. I gave him heirs because he wanted to keep his business in his family. I gave up my family, my inheritance… for him. Because I love him. You will never know that kind of love. And now, it’s my turn to live my life. He promised me, and I won’t let anything—not even your ridiculous sense of duty—stand in my way.”

I stand. My entire body’s trembling.

“It’s time for you to leave.” I turn to find my mother in the doorway. She’s pointing to the front door. “If I see so much as a scratch on either of those two boys, you will both be finding yourselves behind bars.”

Samantha laughs like my mother is as clueless as I am. “That will never happen. No one will ever believe you. Especially after what Eli’s done. Hal is well respected.”

“So am I,” my mother interrupts her. “Don’t try to come up against me by threatening my family. You will lose. Now get the fuck out of my house.”

Samantha takes her time leaving.

I face my mother, my mouth hanging open. Her expression softens in sympathy. “I’m sorry.”

“For what?” I let out a disbelieving laugh. “Mom! That was badass. Holy shit.”

“Language,” my mother scolds with a proud smile.

“I’m glad you’re on my team.”

“Always,” she says, opening her arms to me. “I’m always on your side, my dear girl. And I’m on Jonathan’s as well. He doesn’t need a ring to be a part of this family.”

I let my mom hold me just in time for my heart to break. “She knew.”

Mom kisses my forehead. “She knew.”