Chapter 24 Mom’s Starting Up Business
Back in the master bedroom, Brandon lounged against the headboard, absorbed in a book, his rimless glasses giving him that intense, buttoned–up vibe.
He didn’t even look up When Brianna walked in.
She perched at the foot of the bed, studying him. “I need to talk to you.”
At that, Brandon shut the book and met her gaze.
The words were on the tip of her tongue, but she wavered. “I’m not trying to butt into your personal life… it’s just… Blanca and Darcy would never be kind to Kendra.”
Brandon just watched her, saying nothing.
She thought, ‘Plenty of women are into him. Why pick Darcy of all people?‘ It didn’t make sense to her.
She said, “I don’t care if you remarry, but does it have to be her?”
Brandon’s expression turned stormy. He thought, ‘Remarry?‘
Brianna kept going, almost talking to herself.
She said, “I get that you won’t stay single forever, but couldn’t you at least consider my feelings? We’ve shared so many years. Put yourself in my shoes, would you be okay with me ending up with your worst enemy?”
The more she talked, the madder she got. She’d loved him for ages, and he couldn’t even spare her a shred of consideration.
As the words spilled out, a surge of hurt washed over her; her voice cracked, making her sound like some pitiful, neglected wife.
She thought, ‘What am I doing?‘ Snapping out of it, she shut her eyes and took a steadying breath.
When she opened them, the bitterness and grievance were gone, replaced by cool detachment.
She raised her head, ready to say more.
Out of nowhere, Brandon closed the gap and kissed her.
She thought, ‘What?‘
One hand firmly cradled the back of her head, the other locked around her waist. His kiss was possessive, yet laced with
tenderness.
Sensing his warmth and softness, she zoned out for a second.
In all these years, he’d never been this fervent, except for that very first night.
After she loved him for so long, her body wanted to give in to the passion on instinct, but a stubborn spark of willpower pulled her back.
She surfaced from the dizzying haze, softly but reluctantly pushing him away. Their foreheads pressed together, and she breathed in the faint scent of his skincare.
She said, “I’m on my period.”
He eased her down to the pillow and tucked the covers around her gently. “Go to sleep.”
“Let’s call it a night.” Brianna shifted to pull away, but he tugged her right back, cinehing his arms around her waist. Cradling her head with one hand, he dove in for a hungry kiss.
With that, he flipped off the light, rolled onto his back, and conked out.
Brianna lay there wide awake, her mind a whirlwind.
All she felt was frustration, hating herself for not being able to sever those lingering feelings once and for all, and even more for resisting the urge to melt into Brandon’s arms.
His deep, rhythmic breathing told her he was out cold.
That was when it dawned on her. Her period was overdue by two or three months.
She’d brushed it off before as startup stress messing with her cycle. But as she did the math now, it was well over two months.
The room seemed to tilt. She thought, ‘That boc Successfully unlocked! sick prank is the universe pulling?”
Panic nearly swallowed her whole. She thought, what i am actualy pregnant?”
It was ridiculous. She didn’t even know who the father would be.
Chapter 24 Mom’s Starting up Busin
15 Voucher
In the dark, as she was tuned into Brandon’s steady breaths, a twinge of guilt crept in. She thought, ‘Does this make me a cheater in our marriage?‘
She toughed it out until dawn. For the first time in forever, she dragged herself downstairs to whip up breakfast for Brandon and Kendra.
“Mrs. Levy, I’ll take care of it,” the housekeeper said, reaching for her apron.
“It’s okay. I’ve got this today.”
The housekeeper froze for a beat. She thought, ‘Have Mr and Mrs. Levy patched things up?‘
Once breakfast was on the table, Brianna headed upstairs to rouse Kendra, helped her into her clothes, got her cleaned up, and they came down, just as Brandon settled in at the table.
Waking up to Brianna had already brightened Kendra’s spirits.
Now, she barreled toward Brandon.
“Mommy made it, dig in, then Mom and Dad will drop you at school,” Brandon said.
Kendra hopped into her seat with glee, ogling the spread dramatically. “Thanks, Mommy!”
Brianna stroked her little cheek, beaming with quiet satisfaction.
Today, Kendra had to make that apology to her classmate.
The couple had an unspoken agreement to take Kendra to school together. As parents, it was their responsibility to teach her how to own up to her mistakes.
With gentle patience, Brandon turned to Kendra. “Kendra, once we get to school today, you need to apologize to your classmate, okay?”
A flicker of hesitation crossed Kendra’s face.
“Kendra, Mommy and Daddy will be right there with you. Everyone makes mistakes, but fixing them means you’re still our good girl.” Brianna coaxed her softly.
The night before, Kendra had already come to terms with what she’d done wrong.
When she heard her parents would be dropping her off, Kendra was thrilled beyond words.
After breakfast, the three of them headed out the door.
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