My skin burned. I hardly belonged in this world or near Arman and his family. “No, because I’m not divorced yet.”
“Jeff can help. He needs the practice.” She sipped her tea. “Do you want a divorce?”
“I do.” I closed my eyes and showed her my stomach. “It’s fading, and I want this to be the last time.”
“You don’t deserve that. No woman does.”
She took my hand, and I closed my eyes. Support wasn’t something I was used to. I wiped my eyes.
Then she said, “Come. You need your strength, so please, eat.”
Right. Once again, she was amazing and didn’t even realize it. She sipped her tea, and I tasted the croissant, which melted in my mouth and went right to my belly. I finished it faster than I’d expected to.
Roxanne said, “As a mother, I want my sons to be happy more than anything else. Arman’s always closed off. I’ve breathed easier since I’ve seen the effect you’re having on him.”
I wiped my hands on a napkin and stared at my empty plate.
Then behind me, a shadow loomed, and Arman asked, “Mom, are you interfering with my life?”
“No, I’m helping Madeleine decide hers and telling Jeff to help.”
I turned in my seat, and my heart beat faster. His muscles in a T-shirt looked sharper, like he’d worked out.
His mother put her teacup down. “And I want you to be happy, and Madeleine here would make you an excellent wife.”
Arman came closer, but I jumped up and grabbed my shoes. “I should go.”
He stopped me before I could put them on and took my hand. “No. Stay. My mother will behave. She’s always stressing that she has no grandchildren or daughters, but she should have let you be.”
“I’ll leave you two alone now.” Roxanne quickly gulped her hot tea and walked away.
Arman made himself a plate of breakfast and took his mother’s seat. I stirred my tea. “It’s okay, Arman. She offered your brother’s help for me to get a divorce.”
He sat up straighter. “You told her that’s what you wanted, and she didn’t push?”
I was startled. Damn. His mother triggered him though she was a total sweetheart and my idol. “Yes, and I’ve never seen her push.”
Then he plopped a grape in his mouth and poured himself a cup of tea. “I guess you’re right, and if you felt comfortable talking to her, then I’m happy. Family should help each other.”
“You and your family seem to be the only ones who listen to me.”
“Any more problems I can help solve?
I let out a long breath and then took a grape from his plate and closed my eyes. The sweet taste washed through me, and I felt grateful. As I met his gaze, I said, “How about a personal one?” It seemed strange to me that the mansion on the beach felt like the place where I belonged. I cleared my throat and decided to tell Arman a secret I’d held for years. “My relationship with Bob deteriorated after Aurora was born. Sex was no longer enjoyable, and he didn’t seem to care that it caused me pain. When he first started seeing Evelyn, I was relieved.
“That’s not how it’s supposed to be.”
I smiled. “I’m beginning to think that nothing about my marriage was what it was supposed to be.”
“What do you mean?”
“Nothing. Just, I don’t really like sex, I guess, and it caused us some problems.”
“You don’t like sex?” His eyebrow quirked, and I could see how unbelievable he thought such a thing was.
“It hurts.”
His gaze narrowed. “Sex was painful?”
“Only after Aurora was born—not that I was into it before. The first time he hit me was when I was pregnant, and after—I don’t know. Maybe it was the husband stitch. I thought that sounded strange.” My cheeks burned with shame. “I shouldn’t have told you that.”
“No, I’m glad you did.”
“Yeah. I guess.”
“There’s probably a medical explanation. Making love should not be painful.”
I met his concerned stare. “Let’s not talk about this to others. I’m embarrassed.”
He reached out and squeezed my hand. “Don’t be. My brother is an ob-gyn.”
Well, now he knows the most intimate of my secrets, and he didn’t judge me.
He said, “Look, since you signed the contract, I have my first event for you to handle.”
I sipped my tea and reminded myself that I would get paid to help Arman. In a way, it was better than marriage, as there were limits and he would pay me. “What do you need from me?”
He flashed that smile of his that always got to me. “The company will hit its three-year mark and its first ten-billion-dollar deal.” I jumped at the price. I’d never seen more than a hundred dollars, but he continued like what he’d said was an everyday occurrence. “Normally, I hit my mother up to plan events, and she’ll help, but she’s also working on something for Elon’s office, and he asked first.”
I connected the dots. My first job was party planning, in part. Maybe that was why I’d been sent to the main house. His family always acted as one loving, cohesive unit.
“I’ll help your mom.”
He finished his sip of tea and shook his head. “That’s not what I meant.”
I tilted my head. I didn’t want to screw up this job. “What did you mean?”
He poured me a second cup of tea. “Learn about planning events so you can handle the Christmas party on your own.”
Once again, Arman knew me and knew what I would love to do. I sat back. “Really?”
He finished his croissant. “You used to enjoy being social and planning events. You took me to those awkward teen dances.”
The few summer ones, yes. I’d forgotten that part of my life. “You were the best dancer.”
He finished eating his breakfast. “That’s not why you took me. Weren’t you on the planning committees?”
In high school, I’d been on every committee, and my GPA was great. My counselors all pushed for me to go to college, but that had never really been in the cards. “That feels like a different life. I haven’t done anything like that in years.”
He drank his second cup of tea. “I believe in you.”
And I need to be worthy. He really was determined to ensure that his company was successful. I realized that if I stayed, I would fantasize about him kissing me, and I shouldn’t do that, so I jumped up and said, “Good. I need to go home and get dressed for our date tonight.”
I tugged my shoes on, and as I finished with my laces, Arman said, “Sounds good. Tomorrow, would you want to take your daughter to the summer carnival with me?”
I blinked. He wants to know my daughter? My own husband hadn’t even wanted to spend time with her. “You want to hang out with a ten-year-old who thinks she’s sixteen?”
He walked me off the porch, still wearing his house shoes, and joined me on the garden path. “Sure. She’s yours.”
Arman would have been a dream to have married and been with. I’d been so weak for not following all my dreams. I hugged my waist. “I’ll ask her and let you know what she says.”
As we walked beside each other on the path, he said, “Okay, I’ll pick you up in an hour.”
“Two?” My mind raced. I’d packed one dress. I massaged my head. “It’s still early in the day.”
We made it to the truck, and he opened my door for me. “Do you have big plans?”
I shrugged. “Not really.”
He held out his hand to help me inside. I took it, not because I needed it but because he was sweet. “Then I’ll see you soon,” he said.
My heart felt a flutter. “Okay.”
I was starting to close the door when he said, “Also, I’m going to talk to Elon about what you said, and if he wants something from you, I’ll text.”
My pulse picked up. I never should have told him about my husband stitch. Heat was in my face, and I must have been red. However, I put the keys in the ignition. “You don
’t have to.”
“He’s my little brother. It won’t cost anything, and I’ll be discreet, Maddie.”
For years, I’d wanted to go to my doctor in Montana to discuss this, but something had always stopped me. I gulped and met his brown eyes. “That’s nice to hear.”
He tapped my door and waved. I started my car and drove away. I wanted to jump into his arms and kiss him senseless, but that would be reckless, and I needed to be safe.
Chapter Six
Madeleine
My head was in the clouds as I drove home. The truck practically flew. The smell of the beach air amid the memories of Arman and thoughts about my future life with him all blurred together into some better, amazing future. A divorce would finalize me never seeing Bob again. I wouldn’t be in fear or close to tears all the time. And for years, I’d wondered about the husband stitch Bob had asked for when I gave birth. I’d never researched it. But I had a chance to find out what it was.
I’d somehow earned a second chance at my dreams. Maybe Arman was right about me. I used to enjoy party planning and working out small details concerning crowds and enjoyment. My first job was in many ways a dream come true.
Arman’s company colors were royal blue and gold. I could use those as my main palette to get started on this party. I imagined gold chairs and rectangular tables. The anniversary would be fit for a king.
As I parked the car, I heard my mother’s raised voice. I quickened my step as I went inside. Aurora was in tears, looking like she had when her father had tried to command her.
She rushed toward me. “Mom!”
I held her tight. I’d fought Bob tooth and nail to make him steer clear of his daughter with those demands about how she must behave.
My mother had her arms crossed, and her lips were thin. “Good. I told your daughter that she shouldn’t hang out with the Solomons or join them for dinner.”
The Solomons had always been so happy as kids. Their children were probably good too. I stepped in front of Aurora and said to my mother, “That’s not your place. She’s my daughter.”
She shook her head as if I was foolish. “You and I don’t know anything about them, really.”
She’d snapped. Driving from Montana, I’d wondered how long it would be before this happened. I swallowed and tried to stay calm. My daughter didn’t need to see more people who screamed like her father had.
I asked, “What happened to you today?”
“I saw Reverend Jerry, and when I got home, I found your daughter on the beach, wearing almost nothing, playing volleyball with virtual strangers.”
Reverend Jerry, who was surely retired, had struck fear in me as a child. His sermons were about fire and brimstone, not God’s grace and love. If anybody was to blame for my lacking faith, it was Reverend Jerry.
“I told her she could play volleyball with them. And you promised to take your bipolar medication and be more open if I came here to you.”
“I don’t know, Madeleine.”
“I believed you’d changed. Look, we won’t be here any longer than we have to, but my car is still broken, so we can’t leave yet.” I rubbed Aurora’s arm and thought about what we would do. I wished my mother would take her medication. But Aurora was priority one.
There was no time for a date with Arman. I took out my phone and texted him: I need to find a place to live for me and my daughter and march down to Henry’s to find out the state of my car. I can’t come.
I texted him the list of what I needed to accomplish. I reread the words then showed Aurora my phone so she would know the plan, and she nodded. Then my phone beeped, and she read the message as we headed to the door. She stopped and gave me my phone back.
Arman had written, You can stay here. I’m on my way to get you.
I blinked. I hadn’t expected help. If I refused the offer, it was possible my daughter and I would have nowhere to sleep that night.
I let out a breath. I would be a fool to say no. I pressed a hand on her back. “Aurora, go to your room and get your luggage.”
She kissed my cheek and ran to her room. I waited till she’d closed her door and then found my mother. “I am done being judged. I’m not perfect, but this God seems to be punishing us while he blesses others.” I thought of the Norouzis with their love and prosperity and the Solomons with their simple family joy. “Aurora and I are not bad people. We do not deserve to be treated this way.”
“I’m… not trying to judge you. Or anyone. I was scared because I don’t trust anyone except my plants. And I don’t think that God punishes you or any of us, though I’d murder Bob with my bare hands for hurting you.”
I packed my luggage and saw that my mother was still pacing in the living room. I put my bag near the door as I waited for my daughter. “You knew?”
“I saw your scars when you walked into my house. I don’t know how to fix the past or me overnight, but I should have told your father no when he suggested you marry Bob all those years ago.”
“I can’t live with your ups and downs anymore.”
The second bedroom door opened, and Aurora’s bag came out first.
My mother shook her head. “I wish I’d remembered to take my pills. Tell Aurora I’m sorry.”
Aurora had heard “I’m sorry” for years after Bob beat me, and she shouldn’t have to hear it again from my mother. My daughter headed toward the front door, and I held it open for her. Coming here hadn’t necessarily been a mistake, but we’d overstayed. The pain of my past was still raw here with these walls all around us.
Once the door closed and we headed toward the street, Aurora asked, “Is he your boyfriend now, Mom?”
Staying near him meant I’d say yes if he pressed me for a relationship. He’d been the dream all along. But I shook my head and took Aurora‘s hand. “No. He’s just a friend.” Arman’s car turned onto the street, and I waved. “We’ll be staying the night at the Norouzis. His entire family is there.”
She gave a huge smile. “The palace?”
Soon, she would see for herself. Arman’s car came closer, and the moment I saw him from the window, I knew I was safe. I quickly told my daughter, “It’s not a palace.”
He stopped in front of the house, and Aurora said, “I’m proud of you, Mom.”
Arman stepped out and opened his trunk. Meeting his smile, I got goose bumps. I asked my daughter, “For what?”
We brought our bags to him. Arman stood up, and he seemed confused.
Aurora said, “For not caving to Grandma.”
I hugged her. “I wish you’d been around when I was younger, but Grandma’s not always in control of her actions, because she’s bipolar.”
“Is she medicated?”
“She said she forgot to take her pills today and she has a headache.” I replayed the excuse I’d told my school counselors for years. Arman rearranged our bags and closed the trunk, and Aurora took the back seat. He came behind me, and I whispered, “Thank you.”
He held the door open, and I slipped in. It was nice being with a dependable, determined, and successful man. He was the opposite of Bob in every way.
We drove up the hill and parked in front of the palace. Aurora and I let ourselves out, and she went to Arman and gripped his arm. “You’re nice to us. Thanks for taking care of my mom.”
He grabbed our bags from the trunk. “Happy to help. My mother’s happy to meet you, Aurora.”
We went up the driveway, and she glanced up. “Is your house as beautiful as they say?”
He opened the doors and left our bags to the side. “Judge for yourself.”
Arman’s mother hugged Aurora and took her hand to give her a tour. We followed behind.
“Thanks, Arman,” I said.
He placed his hand on my back, and a thrill rushed through my veins. “Happy to help. We can drive into the city together at the end of the week.”
Right. Work. We were friends only, even if I ached for more. I nodded. “Sounds like a plan.”
&
nbsp; In the grand room, the crystal chandelier created a sparkle effect on the wall from the sun. I scooted closer to him, and his body heat shot through me. He held me tighter and said, “I should remind you that all my siblings are here.”
That meant we wouldn’t be alone much. I glanced at his profile, and my lips tingled for a kiss, so I turned my head toward my daughter and Arman’s mother, who were directing us into the dining hall.
“Roxanne, thanks for putting us both up.” I tugged my ear.
Roxanne turned toward us and smiled. “I’m happy you’re both here.”
As we headed upstairs toward the bedrooms, we ran into one of Arman’s brothers. “Do you remember Elon?” Arman asked.
I did. He’d grown up, like all the Norouzi boys, and was just as tall as Arman, though his hair was dirty blond, not dark like Arman’s. He also had wider shoulders than Arman, but Arman was overall the handsomest man I’d ever met.
“I talked to him about your situation,” Arman said.
I could feel the heat rising in my face. “The husband stitch. And…?”
“It’s not a normal procedure anymore, and I’d need your medical records to know if there was some medical reason for the episiotomy,” Elon said.
“What does that mean?”
“Did you tear, giving birth?”
“I think so, but I don’t remember. They had to stitch me up.” It felt strange to have such a candid conversation about something that was so private, but Elon’s manner was practical, as if we were talking about changing a tire on a car, and it made me feel more at ease.
“It’s pretty unethical without a medical necessity.”
“What are you talking about?” I asked.
“What we were talking about, the husband stitch.” Elon glanced at Arman and back at me.
Bob, not I, had talked to the doctors that day. I’d just wanted to hold my daughter.
One of the other brothers came down the stairs and joined us. “You remember Jeff?” Arman asked, and I nodded.
Part of the wonder of the Norouzi family was that they never considered the adopted children any different from the natural-born ones. They all just accepted each other. I smiled. “You grew up. Your mother offered to have you help me, but it’s okay if you can’t.”
Honey Bun: Virgin Cove Trillionaire Single Brothers Page 5
