“I don’t feel like talking right now,” I said, leaning against the inside of the door.
“Well, we’re about to have dinner. Won’t you come down for that at least?”
“I’m not hungry. Please go enjoy your family on Christmas Eve. I’ll be fine,” I said, tears flowing once again.
The engine revving in the driveway could only be Parker leaving. He didn’t even try to talk to me.
You get the message loud and clear now, don’t you? Just pack up, ask Victoria to release you from the contract, and get home to your own family. This is a good thing. Now you can be with Chloe and Sophie while they need you the most.
The evening drifted in slowly while I sat on the balcony, trying to make peace with my heart. I hadn’t even noticed how cold it was until I was brushing snow from my cheek.
It’s time to go talk to Victoria. Parker is obviously not returning, so just do it already.
The stillness of the house surely meant everyone had gone to bed. The events of the night ruined Christmas Eve. Thank God the rest of the family wasn’t here for it.
Turning the corner, I noticed the glow of the fireplace. Victoria stared into the flames, swirling her pinot grigio. My feet felt like they were nailed down and would not move me forward.
“Please join me, Mia,” Victoria said, rising to pour more wine. “I’ve been waiting up for you.”
“What made you so sure I would come down?” I asked, still standing in the doorway.
“Because I know what love looks like, and I’ve gotten to know you pretty good over the last month,” Victoria said, patting the couch next to her for me to join her. “You’re a good person, and you unselfishly gave yourself for your sister’s child. There was no way you weren’t going to do the right thing before leaving.”
I didn’t trust myself to move any closer. I had become very fond of Victoria. It felt nice to have a mother to talk to and confide in. so I remained in the doorway.
“I came down to leave you a note that I’ll be leaving in the morning. There is a train leaving Greenwich into the city at two p.m., and I think it’s best if I’m gone before the family gets here.”
“What about your contract?” Victoria asked. “What about Parker?”
“I was hoping you would release me from my contract, and Parker will be free of me too.”
“Mia, he doesn’t want to be free of you, dear. He wants to be free of a mail-order bride.”
“Yes, and I’m that mail-order bride. Will you please release me from the contract?”
Silence filled the air.
“It seems you have made up your mind, so of course I will void the contract. I told you when we started this that you could leave at any time.” Victoria put the fire out and then walked toward me. “I have one request though.”
“Of course, Victoria. What would you like?”
“Before you leave in the morning, join the family for Christmas brunch,” Victoria said. “Could you give me that, please?”
“I don’t think I could face Parker. He was so angry. Do you know that he is safe?”
“Yes, his father texted him. He went to his brother’s place to sleep,” Victoria said. “I’m not actually sure he’ll come to brunch, so you should be okay.”
All I could do was take Victoria’s hands in mine. If I spoke I would fall apart.
Chapter 31
MIA
Snow had begun to fall, leaving an elegant frosting on the tips of the trees. Any other Christmas morning it would have been magical.
I rolled my suitcase to the door, but I needed one last look from the balcony. I wanted to taste a Christmas morning snowflake.
So much for your first white Christmas and all the magic that comes with it. Maybe when I get to the city, I’ll go build myself a snowman. Crap, I forgot to get a picture of it snowing for Chloe. I’m going to bring her to see snow for herself next Christmas.