Page 98 of When the Smoke Clears

I press on, seeking clarity. “So, there was no one else?”

Her gaze drops, and she inhales deeply, exhaling as she recounts the memories. “Your father and I had a falling out after about two years of dating. We had gone our separate ways.”

I look at her, urging her to continue with a nod. Her eyes flicker with a mix of apprehension and resolve.

“I spent one night with someone. An old boyfriend,” she admits, her voice softening as she recalls the past.

My jaw clenches as the silence devours the room.

“But your father and I reconnected shortly after, and everything seemed to fall back into place. Then, the news came that I was pregnant. Your father understood. He promised that no matter what happened, everything would turn out fine.”

“So you just assumed I was his and never bothered to check? I don’t buy it.”

Her eyes widen, a flash of surprise crossing her face.

“We did check, Luke,” she insists. “When you were born, we made sure to confirm, because I needed to find out, I wanted to be prepared if you ever needed that information for health reasons.”

She takes a deep breath, recalling the past with precision. “Your father arranged for the tests to be done discreetly in Cedar Hollow to avoid any possible scandal. We received the results that confirmed he was your father, and we moved on.”

I shake my head, my heart pounding wildly. “Except that’s not true.”

Her face pales, the realization dawning on her like a slow, creeping shadow. “He lied to me?”

I know my mother well. She’s not without her flaws, but to her, family is everything. Her devotion to each of us has been unwavering for as long as I can remember. She had no idea Nathaniel was keeping this secret from us.

“He lied to all of us, it would seem.”

“But why?” she asks, her head shaking as if trying to dislodge the confusion.

Her eyes are wide, and her fingers fidget with the hem of her baby blue cashmere sweater. She’s reeling, and I recognize the turmoil because I was in that same state just a few days ago.

“I don’t know,” I reply, my voice firm with determination. “But I plan to find out.”

Her lips tremble, and for a fleeting moment, I expect her to plead with me to let the issue rest.

But then she straightens, and a fierce determination sets in her gaze. “I want to be the one to confront him.”

I consider her words before answering. “We will do it together.”

She gives a resolute nod and turns her attention to a blank spot on the wall, lost in thought.

“I’ll come back this evening,” I assure her.

“I’m not sure how late he’ll be,” she says, crossing her arms tightly over her chest. “He’s been holed up with Nik, working endless hours on some acquisitions in Cedar Hollow.”

“Then call me when he gets home.”

She stands, her arms still wrapped protectively around herself. “Luke, I had no idea.”

I close the distance between us, enveloping her in a comforting embrace and pressing a soft kiss to the top of her head. “I believe you.”

She cries silently against my chest, her silent sobs shaking us both.

When her tears subside, I look down into her reddened eyes. “There’s a lot to talk about, but we will get to that later.”

She nods, her voice trapped in her throat, unable to form words.

As I reach the door to the library, I pause and remind her, “Call me when he gets home.”