Fake Empire(97)

My mother smiles. It’s the same one she always gives me when she thinks I’m being ridiculous. “No, you’re not.”

I give her a look thick with disbelief. “You planned the wedding.”

“Yes, I did. I saw it then and I see it now. That boy is in love with you, Scarlett.”

I’m so shocked by her words, I can barely blink. I know Crew cares. Things between us have evolved into a friendship and a comfort I never imagined our marriage might contain. But love? My mother is in shock. Her husband had a heart attack and was found with his mistress. But still… “You’re delusional.”

“No, honey. That’s you.” My mother has perfected the art of spewing condescension in a sweet tone. It layers every syllable. “Why do you think he came all this way?”

I swallow, and admit, “I’m pregnant.”

My mother’s face lights up. “Really?”

I nod. “It’s…confused things between us. I’m hormonal, and it’s just… He’s a good guy.”

It’s not the full truth. Lines blurred between me and Crew long before two of them appeared on the pregnancy test. But it’s the story I’m sticking with when it comes to my mother. I wish we had the sort of relationship where I could confess everything that’s happened between us. The way Crew makes me feel.

But we don’t, and it’s never bothered me more than it does right now. I’ve always prided my independence. I’m not the spoiled rich girl who has her every whim catered to. My default appearance is poised and prepared. But right now, I want to fall apart.

Crew walks into the waiting room, and my heart does a silly little skip.

“Any news?” he asks, taking the seat beside me.

“He’s out of surgery. Should make a full recovery.” I share the update like it’s a weather report. But I don’t feel obligated to play the loving daughter in front of Crew. I know he won’t judge me.

“Good.”

My mother leans forward. “Congratulations, Crew. Scarlett shared the happy news about the baby.”

He doesn’t look surprised I told my mother. “Thank you. We’re excited.” His hand squeezes my thigh.

My mother gives me a pointed look. I ignore it; she’s in no position to be doling out relationship advice.

“You should go get some sleep, sweetie,” she tells me. “You look exhausted.”

“I haven’t slept in…” I try to count the hours. “A while.”

“Go. Your father will be out of it for a while. I’ll send you any updates.”

“Okay.” It doesn’t take much for me to agree. Sitting on hard plastic while my mother justifies her money-motivated decision to stay with my father hasn’t been a blast.

Silently, Crew stands and offers me his hand.

I take it. “Bye, Mom.”

It feels wrong, leaving her sitting there all alone. I can’t picture my father holding a vigil if the roles were reversed. Never before have I tried to analyze my parents’ relationship this closely. I just took it at face value. I know why I’m peering closer now—I have something to compare it to. I want everything they’re not.

Crew says nothing as we leave the hospital and climb into the waiting car. It’s dark out. I don’t know what time it is. What day it is, even.

I stare out the window, seeing nothing. Even once we pull into the garage, my eyes don’t focus. My limbs don’t move.

The door on my side of the car opens. Crew leans in, unbuckling my seat belt and lifting me into his arms.

I press my face against his warm neck, inhaling the familiar scent of his cologne. “You smell good.”

“I showered.”

His steps are sure and solid as he walks over to the elevators. I don’t open my eyes.

“He was with his mistress when it happened. Not my mom. She doesn’t care. She says she never cared. I hope that’s true, or else I’m screwed.” I squeeze my eyes tighter. “I can’t even remember the last time I was this tired,” I mumble. “And I’m always tired.” Crew somehow manages to hold me and also flash the card to get the elevator moving. “You’re so strong.” I sigh. “I feel like everything is falling apart. Like I am.”

His grip on me tightens. “Nothing is falling apart, Red. Everything is fine. Your dad will be fine.”

“I know. I’m relieved. You know why? Because my first thought when I heard he had a heart attack was that if he died, I would have had to take over Ellsworth Enterprises. Or sell it. Or…I don’t even know what I would have done. How sad is that?”

“It’s understandable. Your relationship with him is complicated.”

“All of my relationships are complicated.”

The doors open with a ding. I open my eyes to the familiar sight of the entryway to the penthouse I’ve started thinking of as ours, not mine. Crew doesn’t set me down and I don’t ask him to. He just strides for the stairs.

“Have you talked to your dad?” I ask.

Crew shakes his head. “I’m sure he’ll call about something work-related soon. Until then, I’m not getting involved in the Candace drama.”

I blink. “Wow. I completely forgot about that.”