Chapter Four. (Caden’s POV)
His parents walked into the kitchen and the first thing I saw was a look of horror on his mother's face.
“Mom, Dad. What are you doing home? I thought you had work...” Blake trailed off, his cheeks getting heated.
“It’s Saturday...” his father also trailed off.
“It’s Saturday? We thought it was Friday,” Blake spoke again.
“So you would have skipped either way?” his mother piped up. “That’s a preposterous idea. I bet it was her idea.”
It wasn’t, but that’s so not the point, I thought to myself. It was a kind of mutual decision. We didn’t even talk about it.
“No, it was mine. I didn’t want to go to school because I didn’t want to see Christian if he was there,” he spoke calmly, staying level-headed.
“Why would you even suggest that sort of thing? He is your brother. Your own blood.”
“Tell me mom, since you happen to know so much. Would a brother have done what he did? Say it was your sister. Would you have slept with your sisters boyfriend? While they were dating? Even if they weren’t, would you?” he asked, his voice taking on a sort of edge.
“Uhmmm...I’m gonna take Caden out to the horse stables. You two have this finished by the time we get back, or sooner for that matter,” his father said, taking my arm and pulling me out to the stables.
“Is it always like this?” I asked quietly.
“Pretty much. Though it doesn’t usually escalate to this. She was saying those things because you were there. Did my son tell you everything?” he asked me.
“Yeah,” I told him, slightly confused.
“Everything, everything?” he asked me again, making me slightly more confused.
“If you’re talking about Thea and the betrothal and your plan. Then yes, yes he did. He was very determined that I know everything. Am I allowed to call you Jonathan, or Jon? Or is it Your Highness?” I asked, hoping he wouldn’t think I was joking. I wasn’t.
“Jon is fine. No need to call me that here, or anywhere else for that matter. I’m not like that.”
“I was just checking. Anyways, why is—” I looked to him for his wife’s name.
“Karina. Most just call her Nina.”
“Thanks. Why is she so hung up on Thea? She couldn’t have been that great...” I trailed off.
“At first, she was different. She would come over and just hang out. She hadn’t been like every other girl that Blake had brought home. She would talk to Karina and tell her things that she hadn’t told anyone else. Much like a daughter. You see, after Blake, there were complications that caused her to not be able to have children anymore. She wanted a daughter so bad, and Thea gave that to her. I even told Thea that story and she said she was grateful to have a mother-like figure in her life as her mother had died when she was young.”
“Ohh. I had no idea. Blake didn’t say anything.”
“Don’t feel sorry quite yet. As I said before, she had no mother. Her father didn't know how to handle it. He couldn't say no to her, so she got everything she ever want and more. She was spoiled. The only thing missing was her mother. And she even got that in Nina. You could say her life was complete. Until Christian came home for the summer. It was his first time home for summer in two years. I mean sure, he would visit on holidays, but he would always take summer classes. Before he came home she was her normal self. Then she met Christian since we couldn't put it off any longer. Everything went downhill after that. She would only be there when Blake wasn't home to stop her from talking to him. She would conveniently have to leave soon after she got there if Blake was home. Even if Blake wasn't home, Karina wouldn’t make her leave. She would let her stay and cook her something to eat, and they would talk if neither of the boys were home. It became increasingly suspicious. Especially for a couple that had been attached at the hip for 2 years prior. Then Blake found her out, and saw them together. I’ve never seen him like this. He was depressed for months. He even quit hockey which was a shock to everyone. He loved that sport like it was his child. Then Thea happened. Two years of his life, seemingly wasted on a girl who cheated on him with his brother. I never saw her the same after that. I guess neither did he.”
