Page 83 of Discretion at Its Finest
He would ask what was for dinner and walk away before I answered. He kissed my cheek like it was an afterthought. Helped me believe stability was the same thing as safety. That routine was love. That settling meant surviving.
I let him into my relationship with Reid, into my body. Into my child’s life.
Hiding all of that from the one man who would’ve burned the world down to keep us safe. A familiar hollowness bloomed within. My shoulders tensed, my body going rigid under Reid’s hands, cold shame sliding down my spine.
You don’t get forgiveness yet.
His words rang loud in my ears. Maybe I didn’t deserve his forgiveness. Maybe I never would.
My hands moved slower, my mind drifting further, the past sinking like a weight on my shoulders. I didn’t notice the tears until one hit the counter.
Then his hands gripped tighter. Grounding me, bringing me back from wherever I was.
He leaned in again, breath brushing the side of my neck. “Vieve…”
“I’m sorry.” It was barely audible.
Reid sighed before he turned the fire down, the flames softening to a low flicker, then eased me into him with a tug that left no room to protest. His arms wrapped around me fully now.
My cheek pressed against his chest, the thump of his heart beneath my ear. It felt wrong to rest there. And yet, it felt like the only place I could breathe.
He didn’t rush to comfort me or tell me I was forgiven. He just held me. For tonight, that should’ve been enough.It wasn’t. It would never be enough.
“I wish I could go back,” I whispered, “undo it all… and I can’t.”
His chin rested atop my head. His voice was quieter now as he spoke. “I know.”
A minute or so passed and his hand slipped up my back, resting at the base of my neck, thumb brushing once across thecurve there. His touch was so gentle and reverent, you wouldn’t have guessed I’d told him I ruined everything only minutes ago.
I felt a warmth at the back of my knees. Tiny arms wrapped around my legs, clinging tight. My brows furrowed as I glanced down. Eugene had snuck in silently, comforting me in the only way he knew how.
Then, a soft throat-clearing sounded from the edge of the kitchen. I blinked, lifting my head over Reid’s shoulder.
Cara stood in the doorway, a gentle smile on her face, waving once. “Heading out,” she said, her voice soft.
Reid let go, just enough for me to turn in his hold. I looked down again. Eugene was still hugging my legs, damp curls pressed to my thigh, his tiny sockless feet cold against the floor.
“Thank you, Cara,” Reid said for me, and she nodded again.
“Of course, Mr. Kaufman. See you in the morning.” And with that, she disappeared down the hall, door clicking behind her a minute later.
I brushed a hand through Eugene’s hair. He looked up at me with a frown, then lifted both arms high, his silent demand to be picked up. Reid moved first, scooping him into one arm like muscle memory, his other arm easing around my waist like second nature.
“Hi, Lovebug,” I whispered as he watched me.
He blinked at me, then frowned again. “You’re crying, Mom.”
I let out a shaky laugh, my fingers brushing my cheek, Reid’s hand running up and down my back gently. “I am, baby. But I’m better now.”
He nodded solemnly, resting his head against Reid’s shoulder.
“Dinner’s almost ready, bud,” Reid murmured. “Think we should help Mom finish up? Make her feel better, what do you say?”
Eugene nodded against him, eyes already half-closed, small fingers curling in Reid’s shirt. I smiled at his version of helpingas I turned to finish what was left, a quiet calm filling the kitchen as Eugene mumbled and chatted with us about his day. Reid never let him go or left my side.
And for a second, this felt right. For a second, everything seemed natural. This… this was the family I’d always wanted. But instead of basking in the moment, I could only smile through the pain, hating every lingering second, knowing it was too late to be real.
Chapter thirty-two
