Chapter: 16

"Is this how you conduct yourself?" Leona's voice sliced through the moment. "Entering my home without so much as an acknowledgment?"

I looked up. The Blackthornes sat entwined on the couch, Leona's glare as sharp as ever. Once, that look would've sent me scrambling to apologize, to prove myself worthy. Yet now, looking between Leona and Christian, I waited for that pathetic part of me that always sought their validation to flare up. But—nothing.

No fear. No anger. Just hollow acceptance. The chaos of today had changed something. It felt like a switch had been flipped inside me, and I just... didn't care anymore.

This family had drained me dry, and I was done bleeding for them.

I ruffled Daniel's curls. "Go say goodbye to your grandparents, hon," I said, my voice steady.

Daniel's arms reluctantly dropped from around my waist, and he moved to Leona and Christian.

I tried not to notice how Christian's arms circled Leona's waist—how natural their affection was. A lifetime ago, I'd foolishly dreamed Kieran might one day hold me like that.

The memory almost made me laugh.

After Daniel had hugged his grandparents, I took his hand and walked out of the house wordlessly and—

Speaking of sights that stung my eyes.

Kieran's familiar black G-Wagon was in the driveway. He was at the passenger side, and I watched as he grabbed Celeste's tiny waist and helped her out of the car.

Bracing her hands on his shoulder, she looked up at him with adoration, and he looked at her with a tenderness he'd never once shown me.

I waited for jealousy and bitterness to pull in my belly, but again—that nothing feeling. Just a dull ache behind my eyes. "Is she why?"

Daniel's quiet voice stopped me cold. I turned to see my son staring ahead—at Kieran and Celeste—stonily, his dark eyes narrowed. "Is she the reason why Dad is leaving us?"

I inhaled sharply. Celeste had left before Daniel was born, and he'd never met her. I wondered if any of my parents had told him about his aunt—the one whose man his mother allegedly stole.

At that moment, Kieran and Celeste saw us. A muscle ticked in his jaw, and his hand dropped from around her waist. A brief expression crossed Kieran's face, and I must have been hallucinating from my painkillers because it looked a little bit like... guilt?

I remembered the question I'd asked Kieran when he dropped the divorce bomb.

"It's because of Celeste, isn't it?" "No," he'd lied. "Of course not."

I forced a smile, cupping Daniel's chin. "No, baby," I lied, my voice too bright. "Of course not."

The words tasted like ash. I hated lying to my son, but even more than that, I hated the idea of him getting hurt in any way. Whatever rocky relationship Kieran and I had was between both of us. I didn't want to expose Daniel to any unnecessary drama.

Daniel's shoulders relaxed. He believed me—for now. "Come on." I took his hand, steering us away.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Daniel lift his hand in a small wave to Kieran. I kept walking, but the weight of someone's gaze burned between my shoulder blades—

Hot enough to scar.

"Are you okay, Mom?" Daniel asked, tugging the thick duvet over my shoulder. "Do you need anything else?"