A Surprise That Changed Her Life

Chapter 35: Truth Revealed

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Violet's POV 

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I gasped as he uttered those words and stared at him wide eyed, "B-but, Brad, dad said that she committed suicide?" My words came out as a question because of all the confusion I was feeling. 

"That's what the world thinks," he nodded. "I think I'll start from the beginning."

I swallowed hard, "Alright."

"My mother, Cassandra Mia Parker, was a foster child. No family, no relatives, nada," he glanced up at me, probably to make sure I was listening. I gave a small smile. "She got into college on a full scholarship, where she met my father. A year later, they started dating, and kept at it until they were ready to get married. You know, dad taking over the company, after grandpa's death and all that." He stopped to get his body to relax.

It must be hard for him to say it all out loud. 

A few minutes passed in silence before he spoke again, "You know, Violet, she used to tell me the story with such a look on her face that even as a kid, I felt their love. I used to think that I could never grow tired of hearing it again and again. And I didn't. She was taken from me."

I gave his hand a small squeeze, "What happened?"

"Mark happened," he said bitterly. "He was her friend, a friend who had feelings for her. The fucker never put them out in the open, and when she started dating my father, he waited for a break-up that was coming soon according to him. Though it never did," he laughed without a trace of humor. "At least that's what he said at the funeral. Everyone thought that he was joking. He wasn't."

My heart was beating wildly. I was feeling a pain that wasn't mine technically.

"Everything was like a fairytale. After mom's engagement to dad, he had disappeared from her life. I now know that he had married Melissa's mother, Christy," he shifted and turned his body completely towards me. "Things started going downhill when he made a return, a year before Isabella was born. At first, mom was happy to see her friend. But in only a few months, the changes that showed in her were drastic. She would always be deep in thinking. I think he was putting her under some kind of pressure, though I don't know for sure," he shrugged.

Suddenly he made eye contact with me, "You aren't uncomfortable with me saying all this, are you?"

"No, no. I want to listen, if you want to tell me," I smiled reassuringly, even though there was a feeling of dread in my stomach because I knew that the story would end in a death.

He searched my eyes for a moment, before continuing, "My stupid father was blind to all this. Or maybe she was just exceptionally good at hiding her thoughts, but don't you think that a man who claims to be in love with his wife should be able to see past her facade? Asshole."

"Brad, I agree, but you should stop cursing at him. Maybe he had some reason," my words sounded stupid even to myself, but I had spoken on impulse and there was nothing I could do other than to take the fall for them.

He laughed, "Only you, Violet, only you." He shook his head, "Alright. I won't curse at him in front of you. Can I continue?"

I blushed, "Yeah, whatever."

He grinned at me and suddenly he looked so young that it broke my heart to think of the burden he'd been carrying for years. I slowly smiled back, pushing aside my hurt and just being ready to be there for him.

"Anyway, when she fell pregnant with Isabella, she made a great effort to be happy. And she did become happy for the time being. But Mark caught up with her again. The last five months were hell," he swallowed, making his Adam's apple bob. "And finally one day she left us. Isabella was twelve and a half months old then. I remember that day. Isabella was with my Gran, the household help was on holiday, dad had a hella important meeting after he dropped me off at home." He closes his eyes tightly, "Give me a minute."