“Donald smothered her,” I say. “He buried her under layers and layers of lies and manipulation, until she could barely think for herself, let alone the kids.” My expression tightens. “Declan still blames her, even though he wishes he didn’t, but he’s working on that, too.”
“I’m not surprised,” Julie says softly. “Parents are supposed to protect their children, but even though it wasn’t Abigail’s fault, no one protected him.”
We fall quiet as footsteps warn us of Declan and Dad’s approach, watching as Dad comes in first, a whiskey in one hand, and a white wine in the other. He heads straight for Julie, handing the wine glass over with a smile. “Here you are. No tossing it on anyone, please.”
“Oh, for goodness sake,” she gripes, even as she takes it. “You throw a drinkonetime.”
Dad laughs unrepentantly, taking a seat in the armchair on her other side as Declan takes a seat in the middle of the couch, his hip pressed tightly against me, handing me the wine glass in his hand. I take it, frowning when I don’t see another glass. “Where’s your drink?”
He lifts one shoulder. “I’m driving home.”
“I told him one wouldn’t hurt you,” Dad interjects, “but he wouldn’t budge.”
“Lily’s precious cargo,” Declan tells him. “I don’t need a drink, especially if it means making sure she’s extra safe.”
Julie and I both sigh, but Dad pretends to heave over the side of his chair. Julie swats at him, and he dodges away from her. He looks at me, eyes bright as he asks, “So, Declan’s got good news! Has he told you yet?”
“What?” My stare bounces between them, Declan’s expression a mixture of amused and chagrined, Dad’s mischievous. “What’s going on? What news?”
“Grant,” Declan says warningly, but the twinkle in Dad’s eyes doesn’t fade.
“Oh, don’t be shy now, Dec.” His grin is so wide, it’s splitting his face. “Declan got a promotion!”
“He did?” I swing back to Declan. “You did? Why didn’t you say anything?”
“Yep,” Dad cuts in before Declan can say anything. “He’s now a paid intern.”
There’s a disbelieving silence, but it’s broken when Julie giggles, clearly amused by my dumbstruck expression as I gape at Dad.
“Paid intern…? He’s been working six months unpaid. As in, you haven’t been paying him? Anything? For over six months?” Finally, I turn to face Declan head on, glaring at him. “He hasn’t been paying you?
“I think she’s stuck in a loop,” Julie mutters to my father.
“Like watching Groundhog Day up close,” Dad agrees. “Anyway, after what he did, he’s lucky he even got a job. But there is a reason for the promotion.”
Declan drops his head back, staring at the ceiling. “I thought we weren’t doing this.”
“I lied,” Dad says cheerfully, turning back to me. “Julie and I have decided to go traveling.”
Unsure about the connection between the two things, I just smile. “That’s awesome. What brought that on?”
“Well, Julie’s never been out of the country, and it's been yearssince I traveled for anything but work. We’ll be gone for about three months to start off with, and then see what we want to do from there.”
“Three months.” I lift my brows. “That’s a long time to leave Hi-Tech. Well, longer than you’ve ever left it before.”
Declan clears his throat and I glance at him, but Dad pulls my attention back when he says, “I’ve got someone lined up to be interim CEO, just until I get back.” He cocks his head to the side, that secretive smile still playing on his lips. “Although Julie and I are talking about me stepping away permanently.”
Suspicious now, I don’t answer, just staring at him until he giggles and looks away.Giggles.
Julie huffs. “Stop drawing it out, and just tell her.”
He looks put-out at his fun being over, but announces, “Declan’s graciously agreed to accept the position, but of course, he’ll stay on the same wages that he’s on now.”
There’s a huff of amusement next to me. “Couldn’t leave that detail out, could you?”
Dad pastes on an innocent expression. “Not sure what you mean,” he says. “I’m just being forthright and honest.”
“Let me see if I got this right…” I say slowly.
