Page 77 of Reckless Love

Ava

For some reason, my whole family decided they needed to be in the room when the doctor showed up today to talk about Landon and me going home. The only person I asked to have in the room was Stephen, but he’s too far away, at the back of the room by the door. Although he’s behind everyone, he’s so tall that I can still see him easily. A lighthouse in the darkness.

“Okay,” I say, raising my voice when all my siblings start talking over each other. “We’re going home this afternoon. Can we all just chill out?”

“You’ll need care, Ava,” Sawyer says.

“Stop talking about a schedule. I don’t want any of you to be our caretakers,” I say. “I’ll hire people. Otherwise, we’ll all end up hating each other.”

“That house is huge,” Nathaniel says, “and all the bedrooms are at least one flight of stairs up. It’s unreasonable for you to be there without a lot of help.”

“I have an accessible apartment you could use,” Stephen says. “My parents have moved into the care home. If you and Landon want a smaller space while you recover, it’s yours.”

“Absolutely not,” my mother says from her perch by the window. “How would that look? You’re married.” She points at Stephen without look at him. “And not to him.”

“Everyone knows that, Mother,” I say, but instead of providing a clear answer, I meet Stephen’s gaze over the heads of my siblings. There’s a calm certainty radiating off him that convinces me his offer is genuine. “Are Landon and I still in danger?”

“Uncertain,” Stephen says. “Doubtful, but possible.”

“Your house is secure?” Maren asks. “Because we have apartments at the palace. Constant security there.”

Stephen shrugs and doesn’t contradict Maren, letting me decide my fate. He wouldn’t have suggested his parents’ apartment if he didn’t think he could keep us safe. Last night already sealed my decision. He and I have rounded a corner, and I don’t want to turn back. There’s nowhere else I want to be except close to him.

“Not the palace,” I say, focusing on Maren. “I think Stephen’s idea is good. The smaller accessible apartment for a couple of weeks while Landon and I recover is exactly what we need.”

“Raul will be livid,” my mother mutters. “This arrangement is unacceptable. You’re taking a grenade to your marriage.”

I glance over at Landon, who has noise-cancelling headphones on, and it’s pretty clear he’s not paying attention—deep in the dinosaur book Stephen brought for him today—despite all the people in the room who are running high on emotion.

“Now is not the time, Mother,” Nathaniel says.

His acknowledgment that our mother exists might be a first since he stopped speaking to her, years ago, when he discovered how heavily she meddled in his life when he was a teenager.

“It is if she’s about to make a grave mistake,” my mother counters. “Her husband is fighting for his life in Boston, and she’s playing house with an ex-police officer? That’s not how a Tucker behaves.”

“I can speak to how a Tucker behaves if you’d like,” Stephen says, and his tone is casual, but when his gaze connects with my mother, the warning practically sets fire to the room.

My mother bristles, but she doesn’t say a word, only crosses her arms and refocuses on me.

“I’ve made my decision,” I say.

“All right,” Gage says. “Let’s let Ava and Landon get some rest before they have to pack up. Do you want me and Ember to go to your house and get a bag for you and Landon? We can deliver it to Stephen’s house.”

“Thanks, Gage. That would be very helpful.” I glare at my mother after I say it.

Instead of leaving the room, my mother comes closer to the bed.

“Don’t,” I say, holding up my hand. “Whatever you’re about to say, just don’t.”

“Oh, we’re back to this, are we? I’ve outlived my usefulness? My advice is no longer any good?”

“I finally made some decisions without you,” I agree. “Just like old times.”

“What will people think?” she asks again.

“I’m going to file for divorce,” I say with more conviction than I feel. Raul’s threats are real and so clear in the background of my statement that it makes me want to cry. But I’m done living a lie. I’m done pretending I can save a marriage that was based on finances, an accidental pregnancy, and other people’s desire to keep up appearances.

When did I ever care what people thought of me? I didn’t. Or I didn’t used to. And I’m done caring now.