She, the Kingdom (She #1)(29)

Chapter Nine

Mom brought Dad a cup of coffee, patting his shoulder as she left him to sit next to me on their ancient, floral sofa. As soon as I got the kids’ college funds built up, I was going to buy Mom the new furniture she’d always wanted. As soon as they’d saved enough money, Mom had started watching my niece and nephew, so she’d thought it was silly to buy new until the kids were older. The problem with that logic was that by the time they were old enough not to spill anything, Mom would be too old to watch them, anyway.

“Aunt Morgan!” Collin said, running to me. I hugged him, and then held out an arm to my niece, Meredith. She was still wobbly, just learning to walk a month before.

Mom guided them to their playroom so we could talk, and then she returned, her eyes tired.

“Jason has to work today?” I asked.

“Well, no. He’s between jobs.”

“So why are the kids here?”

She put her hand on my knee with a small smile. Concern was in her eyes. She fluffed her silver bob with her free hand and tried to calm herself before speaking. I tensed. My parents were notorious for not broaching subjects that would make me uncomfortable. As it was, I didn’t visit enough.

“How are things at work, Morgan?”

“I got a promotion, actually,” I said. I came prepared, but hoped they wouldn’t ask enough questions that I’d have to lie.

“That’s great!” Dad said, gently pushing back on his rocking recliner. He took a sip of his coffee. “How much higher can you go than department director?”

“I’m not technically working for the hospital. I’m working for the owner of the hospital, Mr. Kingston.”

“Oh?” Mom asked.

My mouth pulled over to the side. “You’ve heard the rumors.”

She held up her hands. “Now, we don’t have an opinion. We’re just worried.”

“What have you heard?” I asked.

“Well,” Mom began, looking to Dad.

Dad nodded. “It’s all right, Millie. She should know.” He looked to me. “That you’re pregnant with his baby. That Kingston fellow.”

I breathed out a laugh. Dad was never one to offer an unsolicited opinion, but he didn’t mince words. “No. I’m not pregnant. I’m his assistant.”

“So it’s not true? About the surrogacy agreement?” Mom asked.

I squirmed. “We’ve discussed it. Right now, I’m just his assistant.”

Mom nodded, letting my answers simmer. “I wondered how that would be possible. After Hannah—”

“You’re right. It would probably be difficult if not impossible. But keeping that to ourselves hasn’t changed. It would still upset Nick for other people to know, and I’d like this entire conversation to stay between us. There are a lot of rumors circulating, and I refuse to give the people spreading them the satisfaction.”

Mom nodded. “Of course, honey. It’s just that… does Mr. Kingston know about it? I’d hate to get Mrs. Kingston’s hopes up.”

“They know.”

“Good,” she said with a relieved smile. “I knew you wouldn’t fail to mention it. I’m sure they’re offering a lot of money, and money tends to make things confusing.”

“Are you asking if I would lie to them to make an extra buck?” I asked. I tried not to feel hurt that Mom had to indirectly ask. It seemed no matter how long I kept my head above the proverbial waters, Mom always seemed to think the worst of me. Maybe it was because Jason had given them so much grief over the years, but I had spent so much time proving to them that I was the child they didn’t have to worry about. Still, Mom still found a way to place Jason on a pedestal, and point out my faults. It was exhausting.

There, on their couch, I realized the real reason I’d all but stopped coming over.

“Now, Millie,” Dad warned. He looked to me. “The kids are okay?” Dad asked.

“Yes.”

“Are you okay?” He lowered his head to look at me over his glasses.

“I’m okay, Dad.”

“Not sad?”

“Well, yes. I don’t like it when they’re gone, but I’m busy with my new job. It hasn’t been as lonely as it was before.”

“You know,” Mom began, patting my knee, “that you can visit any time. I know you don’t like it when we drop by, but we’re always here.”

“It’s not that I don’t like you to come over. I’d just prefer that you call, first.” The last time they’d popped over, Nick and I had been in the middle of a fight, the house a mess, and I’d been neck-deep in depression and anxiety. Nick and I got along much better, now, and I’d had a prescription long enough to get through that rough patch, but Mom didn’t forget anything. She took my suggestions—especially when I’d sobbed while I’d said them—very seriously.

Mom nodded. “Of course, and the next time we visit, I’ll do that. I’ll call.”

She wasn’t fooling me. She didn’t like to drive, and Dad’s eyesight was getting worse every day. They only left the house for walks to the store a few blocks away. I typically drove them in the winter months. Mom had been so busy caring for Jason and Sarah’s kids, she forgot to call most days. I’d gotten out of the habit of talking to her.