Page 118 of Love, Second Chances and Other Nonsense
As the elevator doors close behind us, we can still hear Millie’s voice rising once more, a fresh wave of indignation washing through the waiting room. But it’s distant now, fading, no longer our problem.
Caitlin leans against me in the elevator, her body warm and solid against mine. “Maybe I shouldn’t have done that,” she admits quietly. “But I don’t regret it.”
“You earned it,” I tell her, pressing another kiss to her temple. “Every word.”
43
Chapter 43
Adam
The spring sun is bright, and the day is warm. We cross the hospital parking lot, Caitlin walking beside me, our shoulders occasionally brushing, a comfortable silence between us. I dig the rental car keys from my pocket as we approach the sedan, my mind already turning toward the hotel, toward the promise of privacy and peace.
We reach the car, and I move to open the passenger door for Caitlin. My hand is on the handle when—
“Adam! Adam Kelley!”
It’s my mother’s voice, sharp as a blade.
We both turn, and there she is, striding across the parking lot toward us like a missile locked on target, her face arranged in a perfect mask of righteous indignation.
“Don’t you dare get in that car,” she calls. “Not until you explain yourself!”
I step slightly in front of Caitlin, an instinctive move to shield her. “Wait in the car,” I murmur. “I’ll handle this.”
But Caitlin stands her ground beside me, her spine straightening as Paula approaches. I recognize the stubborn set of her jaw and know she’s not going anywhere.
Paula stops a few feet away, breathing hard, though whether from the walk across the parking lot or from fury, I can’t tell. “How could you?” She demands, eyes flashing. “How could you be so cruel to Millie?”
“Cruel?” I repeat, incredulous. “She was screaming at Caitlin in the middle of a hospital waiting room.”
“She’s upset! Your father is in the hospital. You know how much she’s lost!” Paula’s gaze slides dismissively over Caitlin before returning to me. “And you just publicly humiliated her. After everything she’s been through, how could you cut her off like that? How could you cut me off?”
I take a deep breath, trying to center myself. “Caitlin, please get in the car,” I say quietly. “I need to talk to Paula.”
Paula’s eyebrows shoot up at my use of her first name rather than “Mom.” I see the barb land and feel a grim satisfaction.
Caitlin hesitates, then turns to face Paula directly. “Before I do, I have something to say to you.”
Paula’s eyes widen in surprise, then narrow dangerously. “Excuse me?”
“I don’t like you,” Caitlin says simply, her voice calm and clear. “I think you are vile. The way you treated your family, the way you treated Adam, was horrible.”
Paula’s mouth falls open in shock. “How dare you speak to me that way! You have no idea—”
“I have every idea,” Caitlin cuts her off. “I watched you manipulate and guilt your son. I watched you try to destroy our relationship. I watched you use Millie as a weapon against us.”Her voice hardens. “Adam deserved more than being treated as a pawn in whatever fantasy life you wanted to live.”
For a moment, Paula is speechless, color draining from her face before flooding back in an angry flush. Caitlin turns to me, and I can’t help but lean in and press a kiss to her forehead.
“I can handle her,” I assure her softly.
Caitlin nods, giving my hand a quick squeeze before sliding into the passenger seat. I close the door behind her, then turn to face my mother.
Paula’s composure cracks. “How can you possibly be happy with someone who treats your mother that way?” she demands, voice shrill.
“Shut up, Paula.”
The words drop like stones between us. Her eyes widen, mouth opening and closing wordlessly.
