Chapter 2
The birthday party was set for 10 AM, two days later.
I arrived at the restaurant bright and early that morning, double and triple-checking the menu and event timeline to make sure everything was perfect.
Most of the guests today would be from Theodore’s side of the family.
None of my relatives were coming.
Years ago, when I’d decided to take in Theodore and Ava’s illegitimate children, my parents were absolutely furious and nearly ended up in the hospital from the stress.
Even after all these years, they still couldn’t understand why I’d chosen to throw my life away raising someone else’s kids instead of moving on.
My in-laws shuffled into the dining hall with help from family members, making a beeline for the head table where they plopped down in the seats of
honor.
Theodore’s brother and sister settled in on either side with their families.
Eight people at the main table.
They clustered around my sons, filling every available seat-leaving absolutely no room for me.
Harper, what are you just standing there for? Get some water for Mom and Dad.”
Evelyn grabbed a handful of mixed nuts from the table, barely glancing my way.
he was Theodore’s sister, and her marriage was a complete disaster-her husband beat her regularly, and on top of that, he never let her forget that he couldn’t give him sons.
but this year, at 40, she’d finally managed to have a third child-a boy. Ever since then, she’d been acting like she was hot shit.
My sons sat in the center, trying to get up and help me.
ut their grandparents immediately pushed them back down.
My precious boys, come sit with nana.”
Look at these handsome young men! They look just like their daddy.”
I think they look more like Ava,” Theodore’s brother chimed in.
My in-laws shot him death glares, and he quickly shut his mouth.
bustled around the head table like hired help-serving drinks one minute, refilling plates the next.
inally, my sons couldn’t take it anymore. They squeezed an extra chair between them and pulled me down.
Mom, today’s our birthday-the day you went through hell to bring us into this world. Please, just sit and relax.”
That comment got some interesting reactions around the table.
Evelyn’s smile turned nasty.
‘If my brother could see how amazing you’ve been with his boys, he’d be over the moon.”
‘Ahem.” My father-in-law cleared his throat loudly, and Evelyn zipped it.
Harper, honey, since today’s such a special day, I need to talk to you about something.”
T
Sure, what’s up?
“Well, Gabriel and Raphael will be off to college soon. That three-bedroom house is gonna feel pretty empty.”
“Me and Dad were thinking we’d move in once they leave. I could cook for you while you work-doesn’t that sound nice?”
So that was their game. The house I lived in was bought with my parents’ down payment. We were originally going to put both Theodore’s and my
name on it.
ༀཋ་ཇ་ཝ
But six months after our wedding, he took his side piece for a drive and wrapped his car around a tree.
Both of them died on impact.
My parents felt bad for me and helped with the mortgage, so only my name ended up on the deed.
Now that the boys were grown, they’d apparently decided to make their move on my house.
“Well, it’s not that I don’t want you guys there, but Gabriel and Raphael want to study abroad.”
“I already sold the house. Getting a studio apartment instead, and the rest is going toward their education.”
My father-in-law went white as a sheet. He slammed his hand on the table.
“You’re part of this family! How could you make a decision like that without talking to us first?”
I put on my most innocent face. “But I did it for Theodore’s boys.”
“Where’s the money? Hand it over to Mom here-she’ll keep it safe. You’re way too careless with money.”
Usually when I pulled the “it’s for the boys” card, they’d back down.
But today something felt different-like now that the boys had gotten into Harvard, I’d suddenly become dead weight.
I stayed calm. “I already had my lawyer set up trust funds.”
“Gabriel and Raphael will each get ten grand a month until they’re 40.”
Hearing this, my father-in-law’s expression softened:
‘Well, at least you did right by my boys.”
‘Don’t bother buying another place-just rent something cheap. No point wasting money.”
