Always(Time for Love Book 4)(45)

“She wants someone to be there for Darren, primarily.”

“It seems that she likes you a lot. What was she like when you and Darren broke up the last time?”

“She was very disappointed, to say the least. She thought it was just another one of our breaks. But that time, Darren and I really saw that it was the end of the road for us. We’d tried our hardest for long enough. We knew we were better off apart.”

“Did Patty try again to bring the two of you back together?” Magda asked.

“She called me a couple of times. But I think she quickly realised we were serious about our decision. She left us alone after that, and we were only in contact with each other during important occasions like birthdays.”

“So if it weren’t for Darren not having anyone during this very trying time for them, she would probably still be okay with you and Darren not being together?”

Brenna thought about the question. “Yes, I’d say so.”

Magda grasped her hand. “Things like this are never easy. I admire you for being there for the both of them.”

She nodded, her eyes filling with tears. “I’m glad I’m helping them in my own small way, Magda. But it seems hard for Ash to accept that Darren and I pretending to be together won’t lead to a reconciliation. And since I refuse to think that Patty will not get a donor in time, this pretense could go on for many more months. I just can’t see a way out.”

“Is all this making Darren happy?”

“He’s happy because Patty is happy. But this is hard for him too. He’s not free to be himself. He told me a few days ago he started seeing someone, but he couldn’t fully immerse himself in dating her because of this situation.”

“Ah, then that’s your answer,” Magda said.

She frowned, trying to figure out what Magda saw.

“If Darren is unhappy because he can’t be with the woman he wants, I doubt Patty would be happy. Isn’t Darren’s happiness and well-being her primary concern?”

Brenna nodded, hope starting to creep in. “But won’t she be devastated when she learns that we’ve been lying to her all along?”

Magda squeezed her hand. “Believe in the power of love, Brenna. Communicate to her from the position of love instead of fear. Trust that her love for her son will see her through. I’m sure she’ll understand why you did what you did.”

Brenna smiled, truly thankful for this amazing woman before her. “Rebecca and Sarah are really lucky to have you as their grandmother-in-law, Magda.”

Magda chuckled. “Come now, dear. Haven’t I already adopted you, Amanda and Gemma as my additional granddaughters? Please don’t treat yourself as an outsider in this family.”

“Thank you,” she said, her eyes watering with gratitude.

“Now, if only Gregory would get interested in settling down...” Magda said, actually pouting.

Brenna laughed. Magda always said that every time she saw her.

“Gemma’s a great girl,” Magda said. “If Greg doesn’t wake up to that, he might miss his chance completely.”

Brenna’s eyes widened. “Gemma and Greg?”

Magda sighed heavily. “Something’s brewing between those two, but they’re still oblivious to it. And I’m afraid my grandson will fight it all the way. Honestly, I don’t see what he sees in the single life.”

“Maybe we should simply trust that both Greg and Gemma will follow their hearts when their soulmates call,” Brenna said softly.

Magda smiled. “Now, that’s very wise.”

“It would be great if they end up together, though,” she mused, liking the thought of Greg and Gemma as a couple.

“It would. But you should concentrate on your problems first before getting distracted with other people’s issues,” Magda censured lightly.

“I will. Thank you, Magda. I think I’ll go see Darren now.”

*****

Brenna sat next to Patty in the lounge room, pleased to see the older woman looking relatively well.

“I’m glad you guys visited me tonight,” Patty said. “I didn’t think I’d see you until next weekend.”

Darren grabbed his mother’s hand, stroking it lovingly. “Mum, you know I love you, right?”

“Of course, darling,” Patty said.

“And you know Brenna loves you too?” Darren continued.

“Yes,” Patty said suspiciously, looking first at Darren, then Brenna with her brows furrowed.

Brenna tried to remain relaxed, focusing on sending Patty loving vibes. What she and Darren had to say to the sick woman wasn’t going to be easy.

“Oh, no,” Patty said. “You guys are breaking up again, aren’t you?”

Brenna exchanged glances with Darren.

“Mum, I know my happiness means a lot to you. If I’m unhappy, would you be okay with that?”

“No, of course not, Darren. Is this your way of telling me to be okay with the fact that you guys are no longer together?”

“Yes,” Darren said with a gulp.

Brenna rolled her eyes at him. “Patty,” Brenna said softly, taking Patty’s other hand. “Darren would do anything to make you happy. Do you know that?”

Patty nodded, her eyes round.