Chapter 3

3.

Vivienne came into the bedroom a few minutes later.

She stood by the door, looking uncharacteristically awkward.

She watched me for a long time before finally speaking.

"What did the doctor say at your follow-up?"

I looked at the flour smudges on her expensive silk blouse and found it hilarious.

Vivienne used to be obsessed with her image.

She couldn't stand even a speck of dust on her clothes.

But for Wren, she was willing to be a mess.

"Everett?" she prompted when I didn't answer.

I let out a dry chuckle.

"You told me in the hospital that the doctor said I was fine. Why ask now?"

Her face flushed with embarrassment.

"I just wanted to double-check."

I looked her in the eyes and said nothing.

Her gaze shifted to my laptop, which was open to a file about the volunteer program.

"Are you going to volunteer at a school?" she asked.

My fingers stilled on my suitcase.

"The university sent it over. I was just glancing at it."

Vivienne visibly relaxed.

"Those places are so far away and miserable, Everett. Let's not put ourselves through that."

I nodded vaguely, letting her believe what she wanted.

She had no idea that no matter how poor that mountain town was, it couldn't be more miserable than this house.

"In a few days, let's go visit your mother's grave," she said suddenly. "I haven't been in a while."

My heart twisted. I had to blink back the sudden sting in my eyes.

"Okay," I managed to say, my voice raspy.

"Let's go on my birthday."

My 30th birthday was in five days.

I wanted to see my mother one last time with Vivienne before I left for good.

I think my mother would have liked that closure.

Before I could ask her to leave the room, Wren burst in.

She wrapped her arms around Vivienne's legs.

"Mommy! The cake is ready! Come taste it!"

Without another word to me, Vivienne let the girl lead her out of the room.

Alastair was leaning against the doorframe, watching me with a smug grin.

"I never expected Vivienne to take to Wren so quickly."

"I guess when you love the father, you love the child. It's a shame you're the one left out, Everett."

He waited until Wren called for him before strolling away.

I looked at his retreating back and felt nothing but pity.

"Love the father, love the child," I whispered to the empty room.

I hoped Vivienne would remember those words after I was gone.

While they laughed in the kitchen, I packed my birth certificate and passport into a small carry-on.

Over the next few days, Alastair kept Vivienne busy with constant errands and "emergencies."

It worked in my favor, allowing me to ship the rest of my things to the mountain town ahead of time.

The principal promised me that if Vivienne came looking, he would simply say I resigned.

Three days before my departure, I came home to find them all in the living room building Legos.

I tried to walk past them to my room, but Alastair stopped me.

"Everett, wait. Vivienne and I have something to tell you."

"We've decided to let Vivienne legally adopt Wren so she can get into that private academy."

I stopped dead and looked directly at Vivienne.

She couldn't meet my eyes and looked away, pretending to study a Lego brick.

Alastair stepped in front of her, shielding her from my gaze.

"Don't be mad at her. I begged her for weeks. Wren needs a stable future."

I let out a sharp, bitter laugh.

"If you've already decided, why are you telling me?"

I turned to go, but stopped at my bedroom door.

"Vivienne, don't forget what you promised me for tomorrow."

I didn't even use her name as a term of endearment.

"I'll be there on time. I promise," she said quickly.

Alastair's face darkened with a flash of jealousy.

I knew he would try to stop her.

I just hoped that for once, Vivienne would keep her word.