“Why?” It’s a simple question, but the expression on his face is anything but that. He looks as though a train is barreling down on him at breakneck speed and there’s no time to jump out of its way.
“He said something to you?” he asks somberly. “I made him promise never to mention it.”
I laugh unexpectedly. “You made me the same promise.”
“I know.” His voice is dull, emotionless. He moves away from me seeking out one of the chairs in front of his desk. Lowering himself into it, he glances at me again. “Families shouldn’t have secrets.”
I take the chair next to him, crossing my legs at the knees. “He’s not my family.”
His eyes search mine. “He is.”
I shake my head vehemently; tired of playing the good daughter who accepts her father’s second marriage and everything that comes with it.
I stuck around. I stayed when Bethy ran because my dad wanted an heir to take over the family business.
I made nice with Diane and tolerated Mitchell because I could see the joy in my dad when he was around them.
“He is your family. Mom, Bethy and you are mine.” I clutch my hands together in my lap.
His eyes well with unshed tears as he stares at me. “Mitchell is your brother.”
“Stepbrother, “ I spit back. “I don’t even consider him that. He’s my competition.”
His hands fly in the air in a wide arc. “To hell with it. I’m so goddamn tired of the lies. All of the lies.”
His words stop me in place. “What lies?”
“He’s my son, Linny. I didn’t know until he was fourteen.” His voice is hoarse. “Diane sought me out when she moved to New York and…”
I stumble out of my chair, swatting his hands away as he tries to reach for me. “No.”
“We had a brief affair before I met your mother.” He pushes heavily to his feet, following me as I walk across his office to the open doorway. “I never saw Diane again until we met for lunch one day and she told me. We did a paternity test to confirm. I did love your mother, but Diane was different.”
My mom.
She had been so brave during their divorce, telling Bethy and me that sometimes people fall out of love. We believed her even though we heard her crying in the bath each night.
This is why.
“You left mom for her?” I turn and face him. “Did you leave mom so you could be with them?”
“Diane didn’t want me.” He skims a hand over his head. “I wanted to be available in case she did.”
Apparently, she eventually changed her mind since they’ve been happily married for years.
“Why didn’t you tell me he’s your son?” I point my finger at him. “Why didn’t he tell me?”
My dad folds his hands together in front of him. “He doesn’t know. I haven’t told him. I will. I plan on doing it next year when I hand the reins of …”
A low guttural cry escapes me when I realize the next words he’s about to say. I fall to my knees, wrapping my arms around myself. “Oh god. You knew all along that you’d give the company to him, didn’t you?”
“My father wanted me to pass it on to my son.” His voice quivers. “I’m honoring that request.”
I look up at him, grief and disillusionment clouding my view of the man I once thought hung the moon just for me. “I quit.”
“No, sweetheart.” He scrubs his hand over his face. “You’ll stay on. You’ll keep doing what you’re doing. You’ll work with your brother.”
“I. Quit.” I enunciate both words as I push to my feet. “Effective immediately.”