Little White Lie

by Madison Night

  He leaned in to give her a kiss on the cheek. “Thanks, darlin’.”

  He bolted from the room and headed to the parking lot, leaving the poor girl standing there, her face bright red and mouth hanging open. When he got back to his car he sat behind the wheel a moment before driving away. His emotions were running rampant and he wasn’t sure how he should feel.

  From his brief interaction with Syd’s father, he’d seemed like a genuinely warm person and had taken an instant liking to him. Deep down, given the chance, he believed they would get along without a hitch. His heart broke for Sydney and her brother for what they were going through.

  At the same time…

  She’s not married.

  His heart soared at the thought. It was as if the fates, however cruel to her father, had bestowed upon them another chance to talk and maybe—hopefully—figure things out.

  But what should he do? Did he dare try to hunt her down at the hospital—if only to be a shoulder and show he still cared for her?

  Or should he keep his distance given the new development?

  Not even a half-hour had passed since Cara had dropped Syd and Theo off at her house to change out of their wedding attire and into more sensible clothing. Cara had gunned it home to do the same, and would be back straightaway to bring them back to the hospital. Syd insisted she and Theo eat something to help keep up their strength, but once the food was plated and in front of them, neither could stomach it.

  Theo was back at walking to and fro restlessly, clearly agitated and muttering a continuous stream of expletives and threats of all the horrible things he was going to do to Brett. Syd let her brother get the anger out of his system and sat quietly. Her mind was overwhelmed with all that had happened—telling Melanie the truth, her discussion with Brett, then Melanie recounting what had happened to them all those years ago…

  The guilt-ridden expression on his face as they were leaving the hospital told her that somehow, somewhere, the old Brett was still inside. Could she reach him before it was too late for herself or her father? While Dr. Eddleson had said that Papa would be fine, thank God, he also said he should not be exposed to any more stress. And the situation with Brett was nothing but stress—it was unavoidable, and it felt like a death warrant had been signed.

  She was scared.

  They heard a car honk outside the house and they raced for the door, Syd grabbing her purse along the way. She locked the house behind her and followed her brother to Cara’s car. As soon as Syd buckled into the front seat beside her friend, she took off like a bat out of hell along the road.

  “How are you guys holding up?” she asked, clearly worried.

  Theo grunted a response and Syd answered, “We’re keeping it together.” She reached back and held her hand out to Theo, who looked at her with the sad brown eyes of an abandoned puppy and took it in his own. He squeezed her fingers and drew in a deep breath. “We have to keep it together for Papa,” she continued. “We have to concentrate on him.”

  He nodded, clearly understanding the unspoken message of her words—let go of the hate for Brett right now and instead focus getting their father on his feet and back home.

  They arrived at the hospital ten minutes later, thanks to Cara’s manic driving, and ran inside to check on their father while she parked the car. Theo was waiting by the elevators while Syd asked the nurse which floor their father had been moved to. Theo stabbed at the elevator call button when his sister returned to his side, and once the steel doors slid open, she hit the button for the third floor and texted Cara to let her know where they were.

  When they made their way down the hall to their father’s room they passed the small waiting area for that floor. Melanie was sitting in one of the dusty-blue armchairs, still decked out in her formal gown. Syd put a hand on Theo’s arm, halting him for a moment. She nodded toward Melanie and they both walked over to her.

  Syd sat beside her. “Melanie,” she asked, her voice soft. “What are you still doing here? Why didn’t you go home with your parents and Brett to change?”

  “I wanted someone to be here in case he woke up and was scared,” she whispered, glancing at her hands.

  “Oh, honey.” Syd looped her arms around the girl and hugged her. “You didn’t have to do that.”

  Melanie looked up at her and nodded emphatically. “Yes, yes I did. It’s like this is partially my fault. If I’d figured out sooner what Brett was up to, maybe there was a chance I could have helped you bring him to his senses and we wouldn’t be sitting here right now.” She swiped at a tear. “I’m so sorry, Syd.”

  “No, no, Mel, this isn’t your fault, not even one iota. Please don’t blame yourself.”

  She murmured a weak ‘okay’ and stood. “I’ll go get Dr. Sagnet for you, and then grab a cab home to change. I’ll be back soon.”

  Theo stopped her before she could run off. “Thank you for staying,” he said, his expression warm.

  She smiled at him, then took off toward the elevators.

  A moment later a short balding man waddled toward them. “Mr. Christou’s kids?” he asked, his voice higher-pitched than Syd would have expected.

  They nodded.

  He pushed his small round spectacles up his nose and smiled warmly. “Your father is doing quite well. He’s stable and resting comfortably. Don’t be worried that he’s still sleeping—the heart attack took a toll on him and his body needs the break. Go on and have a visit with him. I’ll come talk to you in a little bit to go over a few details.”

  They thanked Dr. Sagnet and followed him down the hall and around the corner to their father’s room. When they opened the door and walked in, Syd was overwhelmed and had to lean against the frame, suddenly weak. Theo put his arm around her waist and brought her to a chair beside their father’s bed, then moved to stand on the opposite side. They took hold of their father’s hands, and gazed across the bed at each other.

  He seemed so frail lying there under the thin white bedsheet. His skin was pallid and cool to the touch, and once again Syd was struck at how weak he’d gotten these past few months. How could they have turned a blind eye to all the signs their father’s health was failing this much? Guilt enveloped her and she brought his hand to her lips, kissing it softly, while all the machines he was hooked up to whirred and beeped away.

  “He’s going to be fine,” Theo stated, eyes focused on his father, unshed tears in his eyes.

  “Please be okay, Papa,” Syd whispered. “We need you.”

  Chapter Forty-Five

  He had woken up half an hour later, with his children at his side, and, in true Papa fashion, was more concerned about them than he was about his own wellbeing. Dr. Sagnet was called in and was extremely pleased to see him awake and lucid. He provided them with information on when their father would likely be released and what regimen he’d need to follow once back at home. When they were done chatting, he ordered them out of the room, stating their father needed rest and slumber, and they reluctantly followed his direction.

  When they came back to the small waiting area, everyone had returned—Mr. and Mrs. Hudson were sitting on one side, Cara and Melanie across from them, and Brett was off by himself once again, staring out of the window into the black night.

  Mrs. Hudson beat everyone to the punch. “How is he doing?”

  Syd took the lead in replying. “He was awake and coherent, and is trying to get as much rest as he can right now. If things keep going as they are, he should be able to come home in a couple days.”

  Theo plopped into the chair next to Cara and let out a long sigh of exhaustion. “The doc says that he’ll need a couple months to recover fully.”

  Cara placed a hand on his knee. “That’s good. Then he’ll be back to normal?”

  “Sort of,” Syd answered, gnawing on her thumbnail. “Dr. Sagnet said that though he’ll seem okay, and just a bit more tired than usual, that he needs to go slow and get into a very low-key routine. He needs to take it easy, rest a lot and
reduce stress.” She shot a glance at Brett, who had turned to listen, and he quickly averted his gaze. “He’ll need to talk to a dietician and someone else to help him get into some kind of exercise regime so he can gain some strength back.”

  Mr. Hudson bounced out of his chair and clapped his hands together. “Ah, good, everything is going to be fine then, yes?” He smiled broadly. “If he’ll be home in a few days, we can go ahead and rebook the wedding for next weekend.”

  “James!” Mrs. Hudson cried out.

  He ignored his wife. “Of course, it won’t be anything quite as lavish as what Brett had planned for today, but, as inconvenient as all this was, things happen. What’s more important is that you become Brett’s wife post-haste. Right, son?”

  To Syd, those last two words had a menacing undertone, and came out with forced cheer. He nailed his son down with his sharp gaze.

  Brett looked away and mumbled, “Yes, Father.”

  “Inconvenient?” Theo ground out and stood to face Mr. Hudson. “Inconvenient? I’m sorry my father being in a hospital bed has caused such a disruption in your fucking plans, Hudson! I—”

  Once she recovered from the shock, Syd interrupted her brother’s tirade. “That will not happen.”

  “Damn right it’s not happening,” Theo barked. “We’re not jumping into anything before Papa is totally better and out of the woods.”

  “Theo’s right,” she agreed. “Our father just had a heart attack. A heart attack! How could you be so cruel to even suggest this?” She motioned to the room around them. “We’re still in the hospital, for God’s sake! What’s wrong with you?”

  “Brett,” Mr. Hudson said tightly. “Manage your future wife.”

  Brett remained silent, staring at his feet.

  “Manage her?” Theo said incredulously. “Are you fucking kidding me?”

  Sydney frowned and kept her eyes on Brett.

  Doesn’t he see this is all so wrong?

  “Please, Theo,” Mr. Hudson laughed. His tone condescending, he went on. “Do you really believe these women don’t need to be managed by us men? That they don’t need a firm hand to keep them and their emotional outbursts in check?” He huffed. “Brett knows this, I’ve raised him like a real man.”

  “Dad, stop it!” Melanie whispered.

  He sneered at Theo. “Your father obviously hasn’t done the same for you. I see how you look at her,” he said, nodding at Cara. “Completely pussy-whipped.”

  “Hey!” Cara cried out in indignation.

  Theo’s face went red and he took a step toward Brett’s father, his fists clenched and ready to strike.

  Syd turned his face toward hers and shook her head. “He’s not worth it, Theo. Focus on Papa,” she said, the words instantly calming him.

  “Dad,” Melanie whispered. “No, Dad, how can you say all this?” She started to sob. “Mom? Is… Is it true? All this time, all those bruises…?”

  Her mother was devastated.

  “These women,” Mr. Hudson spat out the word. “They think as long as they spread their legs for you they can get away with anything, but no,” he laughed. “Oh no, not with this man, not with Hudson men. My father taught me how to be a strong man and head of the household, how to keep my wife well-behaved and how not to bend to every feminine whim. Your mother knows her place and how to behave, and by God, Melanie, when the time comes for you to get married, you’ll do the same, I’ll make sure of it. I’ll teach your husband, as I’ve taught Brett. And you will bend to him.”

  Mrs. Hudson jumped to her feet. “Enough!” That one word, though softly spoken, held such power and authority everyone immediately hushed and turned to face her. Her husband glared at her with potent animosity. Tears streaming her face, she repeated, “Enough.”

  “Mom,” Melanie said, reaching out and holding her hand.

  “For years—years—I’ve dealt with you because I was made to feel worthless, nothing more than a speck of dirt on the ground. I have been less your wife than I have your punching bag, James. But I stayed. I didn’t want to believe you could be like that forever, and I stayed because I thought it was the only way to keep my family together and my children safe. I thought I had no choice.”

  “How dare you, Anna.”

  She looked toward her children, her gaze settling on her son’s sad face. “When you said you would make sure Melanie would go through the same hell that I’ve been through with you… When I could at last open my eyes and see what you’ve done to my son, my baby boy, I finally had the strength I needed.” Her face hardened. “I see everything now, and clearly. I am done with you, James. Done.”

  “What?” he spat at her. “You don’t get to say—”

  “Yes I do.” With everything coming out in the open, she appeared to gain confidence from the silent support and encouragement all around her. She straightened her back and held her head high. “I want a divorce, James. As soon as we get home I’m packing my things and walking out of that door, and there’s nothing you can do to stop me.”

  “You can stay with me, Mom,” Melanie said, hugging her.

  Syd, Theo and Cara stood there, glancing from one party to the next, none saying a word. How the day had gone so quickly from wedding to divorce astonished her.

  Mr. Hudson appeared flabbergasted, and sputtered nonsensical words for a moment. “You’ll do no such thing,” he managed. “How dare you even speak to me like that?” He advanced on her, his hand raised.

  Brett snapped out of his trance and jumped in between his mother and father, blocking him. “No!”

  His father bared his teeth. “Move. Now.”

  He shook his head. “No. I’m not twenty-two anymore, Dad, and you can’t bully and manipulate me. This time I don’t have a twelve-year-old sister to protect. This time I’m not scared for Mom, and worried about what will happen to them if I left. I’m taking Mom’s lead and getting out from under your thumb once and for all. This time I can, and will, stop you.”

  His father’s brow furrowed and he retorted, “No, you won’t. You don’t have the balls to stand up to me, just like you didn’t when you were younger. You’ll see when you marry her,” he said, nodding toward Sydney. “This is exactly the type of strength you will need.”

  “There won’t be a wedding,” he answered quietly, shooting her a quick glance.

  “Oh my God,” she whispered, clutching Theo’s arm.

  Could it finally be over?

  He turned back to his father. “You’ve lost, Dad. Go home and lick your wounds.”

  Mr. Hudson visibly deflated. The bully at last put in his place, it was as if he wasn’t sure how to handle being confronted and losing. His tail tucked, he retreated and tried to get the last word in. “You’ll come running back to me, Anna, of course you will, and useless Melanie will tag along because it’s all she knows how to do. And Brett—when you get married and your slut of a wife has you wrapped around her little finger, you’ll wish you still had me around to help you control her!”

  “You will not be missed,” Brett said, his voice even. When his father had left, Brett turned to his mother. “Mom… Mom, I should have protected you. I should have been stronger.”

  Tears flowed freely and she cupped his cheek affectionately. “My beautiful boy is back,” she murmured. “It was I who should have done the protecting.”

  Theo and Cara exchanged a glance. “What the fuck just happened?” he whispered to her.

  “Something wonderful,” was her reply.

  Mrs. Hudson hugged her children tightly, the trio alternately crying and speaking in hushed tones. Brett gazed at Sydney over his mother’s shoulder. “I’m so sorry, for everything.”

  She nodded.

  His mother pulled away and looked from Syd to Brett and back again. “I don’t understand, though. Why won’t there be a wedding?”

  “I’ll explain everything later, Mom. Suffice it to say this was all Dad’s idea, and we work much better as friends than we ever could hope to as
husband and wife.”

  She sounded concerned. “Are you happy, though?” She touched his cheek and glanced at Sydney again.

  “I am now, Mom.”

  “Oh, Brett!” Melanie cried, throwing her arms around her brother’s neck. “I’m so proud of you!”

  Theo and Cara pulled Syd in for a hug of their own.

  “We’re free,” Theo whispered into her hair. “We’re finally free.”

  Melanie snuck into their hug. “And I have my brother back.”

  “Looks like you do,” Syd said, smiling.

  Mrs. Hudson came up behind them. “Okay, break it up, it’s my turn.” She smiled and hugged Sydney in a warm embrace. “You will always be like a daughter to me, whether you marry Brett or not. If you ever need anything—anything—you come right to me, okay?”

  Syd unable to hold back the tears, nodded in response. “Thank you, Mrs. Hudson. Are you going to be all right?”

  She beamed. “I’m better than I’ve been in over thirty years, my dear. But…you and Brett…”

  “I’ll tell you everything once we get you out of that house, okay, Mom?” Brett wrapped an arm around her shoulder. “Just know that things are fine, and as cliché as it sounds, I guess everything happens for a reason. Now go get started packing.”

  She hooked her arm in Melanie’s. “Don’t be too long.”

  When they had gone, Brett stood rooted to the floor, awkwardly staring at Sydney.

  Cara grabbed Theo’s arm and dragged him away from them, toward the window. “Um, let’s give them a little privacy.”

  “Did you really mean it, Brett?” she asked, her voice uncertain. “Are you calling all this off?”

  “What I did,” he started. “Everything I did was wrong. I was under his thumb, his influence for so long… What I was doing was horrible but Father pushed for it, encouraged it, and was proud of me for it. He trained me to believe that this was how a real relationship worked, even though deep down inside I knew it was wrong.” He moved closer to her, and met her gaze with the saddest eyes she’d ever seen. “He told me we needed to… You know, have sex… To seal the deal. That was the night I drank myself silly and…and I attacked you.”