Chapter 88
Mirabelle’s POV:
“Ken.” I whispered, my voice weak.
He turned me around to face him, his hands resting on my hips. His eyes searched mine, and slowly, he leaned in, his lips inching closer to mine.
Fear shot through me. At the last second, I shoved him aside, grabbing my bag and keys. “I’m sorry.” I blurted out, my voice shaky. “I can’t do this.”
Before he could respond, I bolted out of the house, running to my car. My hands trembled as I fumbled with the keys, finally getting inside and slamming the door shut. I drove away as fast as I could, my mind racing.
“How could you let him touch you?” I scolded myself aloud, gripping the steering wheel tightly. “The same man who ruined you! You should be clearing your name, putting Noah behind bars, not… not hooking up with Ken.”
But no matter how much I yelled at myself, his words and his touch lingered in my mind.
As I pulled into the driveway, a wave of relief washed over me. The reporters were gone. The house looked quiet, just the way I needed it to be. Glancing at my wristwatch, I saw it was still noon. I silently prayed that the kids were in school and didn’t witness the madness earlier.
The security at the gate noticed my car and opened the gates immediately. I drove in, parked the car and stepped out. My heels clicking against the concrete was the only sound in the otherwise silent yard. As I approached the front door, I caught sight of Jamie pacing back and forth.
Her face lit up instantly the moment she saw me.
“Ma’am!” She called, rushing toward me.
“Jamie, is everything alright? Where are the kids?” I asked, trying to keep my voice calm despite the unease bubbling inside me.
She wrung her hands nervously. “Some reporters showed up shortly after you left this morning. They were demanding to see you. The kids couldn’t leave for school-they would’ve been followed. It wasn’t safe so Grandpa Ed insisted that they stayed home.”
My stomach dropped. “Where are they now?”
“They’re in the library with Grandpa Ed. They were a little shaken, but he calmed them down.” She said with a wide smile.
I nodded, trying to mask my guilt. The kids should’ve been in school, not hiding inside because of me. “Thank you, Jamie. You did well.”
As I turned to head inside, Jamie hesitated. “Ma’am… is everything okay?”
I froze for a moment, then forced a small smile. “Yeah.” I said, though I wasn’t sure who I was trying to convince-her or myself.
The house was eerily quiet as I walked in, the echo of my own footsteps resounded. My instinct was to go straight to the library to check on the kids, but the thought of facing their innocent, questioning eyes made my chest tighten. What would I even say to them? That their incompetent mother had been framed? That their father, the man they idolized, was the reason behind this chaos?
I need a moment to breathe.
I headed to my bedroom instead. I let the water fall over my face, soaking my hair and drenching the tension coiled in my muscles. My mind wandered as I stood there, the sound of water filling the room. I tried to shut out the noise in my head, the headlines, the accusations, the shame.
When the water turned lukewarm, I finally turned it off and stepped out. Drying myself, I opted for something comfortable-a loose sweater and leggings-before tying my damp hair into a messy bun. I stared at myself in the mirror for a moment. My reflection was pale, almost unrecognizable. I shook my head and turned away.
When I stepped out of the room, I decided it was time to check on the kids.
The library was empty, the silence thick as I searched. My heart sank a little until I realized that they must be upstairs. I made my way to their room, the familiar creak of the wooden floors oddly comforting.
I pushed the door open gently and peeked in. Skyler, Tyler, and Mika were curled up together on their beds, their soft snores breaking the silent.
My heart ached at the sight. They were so peaceful, so unaware of the storm brewing between their parents.
Tiptoeing in, I placed a kiss on each of their foreheads. When I turned to leave, a small voice stopped me. “Mommy?” I turned back to see Skyler rubbing his eyes.
“Hey, sweetheart.” I whispered. “I didn’t mean to wake you. I just wanted to check on you.”
He nodded sleepily. “Are you okay?”
I smiled, though it felt forced. “I’m fine, my love. Now go back to sleep, okay?”
“Okay.” He murmured, his voice fading as he drifted off again.
I slipped out of the room, closing the door quietly behind me. My throat felt tight, but I pushed the emotion down as I made my way to the kitchen.
Opening the cabinet, I pulled out a glass and filled it with warm water from the dispenser. As I took a sip, my thoughts began to wander.
Ken.
Why was I thinking about him again? I shook my head, setting the glass down a little too forcefully on the counter. “Stop it, Mirabelle.” I muttered to myself. “He’s not your concern anymore.”
But he cares about you, a small voice in my head whispered.
I sighed, gripping the counter. “He cared enough to ruin me once before.” I whispered bitterly. “I’m not falling for that again.”
After finishing my water, I rinsed the glass, put it back in the drawer, and stepped out of the kitchen. The dim light of the sitting room greeted me, and for a moment, I thought I was alone.
Then I saw it. A shadowy figure sitting on the couch.
My heart jumped to my throat. I froze, barely breathing, as I moved closer. Reaching for the table lamp, I flipped it on, and it brightened the room.