your mother will not be with us for much longer. I would say perhaps a day, maybe less.”
Eve immediately bursts into tears, burying her head against my shoulder. I tear up too, but I force myself to control it, putting my arm around my sister.
But inside, I’m awash with sickness. I’m nauseated at the thought that I’m going to have to sit here and do nothing while my mother dies.
“Thank you,” I say, bowing my head briefly.
Eve sobs as she leans against me. And I just hold her up, my stomach roiling.
“I should call Dad,” I say, but I make no attempt to move.
She sniffles, sucking in a breath. “I can’t believe we’re going to have to call him back to his dying wife’s bedside.”
Dr. Erslinger clears her throat. “Mrs. Moreland would like to see you, Aiden.”
I feel like I’m made of lead. “Me? Alone?”
Dr. Erslinger gives me a look that’s conciliatory. “Yes. Eve, I was wondering if you would come down to the nurse’s station with me just to go over some details? It’ll only take a minute.”
“No,” Eve says, shaking her head. “Whatever Mom has to say, she can tell both of us.”
I give her an odd look. “I think Mom can ask for whatever she wants today, Eve.”
Eve doesn’t respond right away. Then she actually hits me, curls up her fist and drives it into my arm. “Fuck you, Aiden. She always did like you better. I would think that you would try to show me some compassion right now.”
My jaw clenches. Does my sister not remember that my mom’s death affects me too? I breathe out slowly. “Go with the doctor, Evie.”
Eve and I stare each other down for a second, then she sniffs and unwinds herself from me. She stands up. “Sure.”
As Eve and the doctors drift off down the hall, I stare at my mom’s door. Getting up, I go over to the heavy wooden door, knocking on it gently. I open the door and see my mom there on the bed, propped up by a mountain of pillows. The sun is shining and the blinds are pulled back from the windows.
It’s almost distracting enough that I don’t notice that my mother has a dozen tubes and IV drips running down to her fragile arms. She’s looking severely jaundiced, worse than she was this morning even.
“Mom?”
She blinks, opening her eyes. She reaches up and touches her purple head wrap. “Aiden, yes. Come here, please. And shut the door behind you.”
Like a robot, I do as she says. I’m aware that I haven’t been alone with her in a couple of years, especially not while she’s been in the hospital. I feel like I’m totally out of my depth here.
I also feel like a shitty son for not visiting Mom more. It’s weird to focus on myself when my mom is dying though so I just cram it down inside and try to compartmentalize it. Coming over to her bedside, I pull up a heavy chair.
She looks almost translucent beneath the yellow of her skin, and more wan than I have ever seen her. Her hair and eyebrows have faded away, eyelashes too. When she smiles at me, I can see the pain in her eyes. She draws a long breath.
“Aiden.” She reaches her hand out to me and I hasten to fill it with my own. When I grip her hand, she smiles. “I have something to tell you. I’m afraid you’ll just have to let me get this out.”
My stomach sinks. A deathbed confession? That can’t be good.
Hopefully she has secretly been stealing money from Dad for the last thirty years. But if that’s what she has to tell me, why not let Eve into the room too?
I lick my lips nervously, not knowing how to respond.
My mom closes her eyes. “When you were little, I imagined that I would tell you when you were older. But time just flies by, doesn’t it?”
My heart pounds but I maintain my composure. “Yes.”
“When I was twenty years old, I married your father.” She hesitates, opening her eyes. “But I spent the summer before that on the west coast, near Seattle. I worked for a wealthy family there named the Morgans. I became infatuated for a time with the oldest son, Thomas.” She stops, drawing another breath. “I left the west coast suddenly, without ever saying goodbye. I met and married your father two months after that.”
I’m quiet, trying to do the math in my head
Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 1 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 2 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 3 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 4 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 5 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 6 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 7 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 8 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 9 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 10 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 11 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 12 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 13 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 14 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 15 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 16 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 17 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 18 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 19 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 20 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 21 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 22 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 23 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 24 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 25 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 26 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 27 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 28 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 29 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 30 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 31 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 32 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 33 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 34 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 35 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 36 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 37 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 38 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 39 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 40 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 41 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 42 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 43 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 44 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 45 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 46 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 47 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 48 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 49 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 50 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 51 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 52 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 53 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 54 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 55 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 56 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 57 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 58 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 59 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 60 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 61 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 62 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 63 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 64 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 65 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 66 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 67 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 68 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 69 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 70 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 71 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 72 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 73 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 74 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 75 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 76 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 77 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 78 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 79 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 80 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 81 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 82 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 83 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 84 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 85 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 86 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 87 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 88 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 89 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 90 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 91 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 92 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 93 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 94 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 95 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 96 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 97 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 98 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 99 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 100 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 101 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 102 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 103 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 104 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 105 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 106 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 107 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 108 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 109 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 110 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 111 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 112 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 113 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 114 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 115 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 116 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 117 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 118 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 119 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 120 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 121 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 122 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 123 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 124 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 125 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 126 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 127 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 128 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 129 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 130 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 131 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 132 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 133 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 134 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 135 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 136 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 137 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 138 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 139 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 140 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 141 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 142 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 143 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 144 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 145 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 146 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 147 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 148 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 149 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 150 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 151 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 152 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 153 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 154 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 155 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 156 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 157 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 158 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 159 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 160 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 161 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 162 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 163 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 164 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 165 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 166 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 167 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 168 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 169 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 170 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 171 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 172 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 173 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 174 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 175 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 176 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 177 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 178 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 179 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 180 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 181 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 182 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 183 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 184 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 185 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 186 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 187 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 188 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 189 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 190 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 191 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 192 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 193 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 194 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 195 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 196 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 197 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 198 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 199 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 200 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 201 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 202 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 203 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 204 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 205 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 206 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 207 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 208 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 209 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 210 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 211 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 212 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 213 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 214 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 215 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 216 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 217 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 218 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 219 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 220 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 221 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 222 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 223 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 224 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 225 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 226 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 227 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 228 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 229 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 230 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 231 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 232 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 233 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 234 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 235 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 236 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 237 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 238 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 239 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 240 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 241 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 242 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 243 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 244 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 245 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 246 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 247 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 248 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 249 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 250 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 251 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 252 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 253 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 254 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 255 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 256 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 257 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 258 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 259 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 260 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 261 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 262 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 263 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 264 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 265 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 266 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 267 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 268 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 269 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 270 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 271 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 272 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 273 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 274 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 275 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 276 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 277 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 278 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 279 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 280 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 281 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 282 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 283 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 284 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 285 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 286 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 287 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 288 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 289 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 290 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 291 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 292 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 293 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 294 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 295 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 296 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 297 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 298 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 299 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 300 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 301 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 302 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 303 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 304 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 305 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 306 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 307 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 308 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 309 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 310 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 311 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 312 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 313 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 314 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 315 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 316 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 317 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 318 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 319 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 320 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 321 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 322 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 323 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 324 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 325 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 326 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 327 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 328 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 329 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 330 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 331 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 332 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 333 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 334 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 335 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 336 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 337 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 338 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 339 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 340 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 341 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 342 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 343 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 344 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 345 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 346 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 347 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 348 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 349 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 350 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 351 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 352 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 353 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 354 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 355 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 356 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 357 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 358 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 359 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 360 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 361 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 362 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 363 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 364 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 365 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 366 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 367 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 368 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 369 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 370 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 371 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 372 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 373 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 374 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 375 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 376 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 377 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 378 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 379 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 380 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 381 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 382 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 383 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 384 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 385 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 386 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 387 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 388 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 389 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 390 Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood - Page 391