Episode 541: Middle Man

He turned to her, gave her hand a squeeze. "I’m not going to let her pull the wool over my eyes again. I’ll simply tell her that when she’s ready to conduct herself like the admirable daughter we raised then we’ll be happy to see her, and hear what she has to say, until then…"

Until when? Katherine wondered, all manner of knots lacing through her body. When would they have their baby girl back? Ever? How long would Adria be the person who callously led her mother to believe they were sharing something special? Giving Katherine another chance to be the mother she longed to be.

"I don’t want to see her," Katherine said. It was only partially true. She loved Adria. She truly did. That’s why it had hurt. Why she had a hard time forgiving, even if, perhaps, in some way she deserved everything she got. "I’m going to the clinic."

Phillip nodded. Brushed his lips across her forehead. He understood. This was just the latest hell their children had put them through.

"Take the back exit," he suggested and after another kiss, he left Katherine and marched downstairs to their baby.

His feet thumped, punishing each step, anger roiling through his bloodstream. His youngest daughter hadn’t gone anywhere despite the housekeeper informing her they were unavailable. Big surprise. Adria hadn’t yet received whatever she’d come for.

Nor would she.

She rose up off the sofa and turned at the sound of his thundering entrance. With her face tear-stained and slender arms wrapping around her even more slender body, she sniffled her way through, "Happy New Year, Daddy."

Episode 542: Grenade